Chevrolet Dealer in Elizabeth City, NC
Elizabeth City is located in and holds the county seat for Pasquotank County. In addition to being the largest city in the county, it is also considered to be a major cultural hub for the entire Historic Albemarle region of North Carolina. Over the years, Performance Chevrolet has served the Elizabeth City community as a reliable source for all its residents’ automotive needs.
History of Elizabeth City, North Carolina
The area that became Elizabeth City began as a trading site during the early colonial times. The construction of the Dismal Swamp Canal in 1793 was a major contributing factor to economic development in the area. At the time of its initial incorporation in 1793, Elizabeth City was known as the town of Redding. It was renamed Elizabethtown in 1794, and then later became Elizabeth City in 1801. With the help of federal funding, improvements were made to the Dismal Swamp Canal that allowed for larger ships/boats to access it as a trade route. This led to even more economic growth, allowing the new town to flourish.
Throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, the transportation industry developed rapidly, thereby expanding trade routes and accessibility in many areas across the region. As a prominent deep-water port, Elizabeth City remained a bustling economic center, despite the introduction of competing railroads and canals, such as the Portsmouth and Weldon Railroad and the Albemarle–Chesapeake Canal. During the early part of the American Civil War, Elizabeth City’s famous canal was host to a small Confederate fleet. This Confederate occupation, however, only lasted until 1862. Following the Battle of Roanoke Island, a Union fleet moved in discreetly and overtook the confederate forces in the area. Elizabeth City remained under Union control for the rest of the war.
For the better part of the 1800s, Elizabeth City’s commercial presence on the waterways rivaled that of well-known ports like Norfolk, VA and Baltimore, MD. The focus on water-based commerce remained constant until the introduction of the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1881. At this time, many of Elizabeth City’s commercial industries shifted their focus from the waterfront to the developing cities of North Carolina’s Upper Coastal Plain and Piedmont. The city was at an economic plateau for an extended period, until World War II brought about a huge increase in the demand for industries such as shipbuilding, textiles, and aeronautics. Various military bases were also established in the area, such as Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City and Navy Air Station Weeksville. Both bases proved very valuable to the war effort on the homefront by monitoring coastal trade routes and protecting American Merchants from German forces in the area. After the war, the economy had successfully leveled out. Beginning in the 1990s, Elizabeth City focused its efforts on tourism and revitalization of its historic districts in order to maintain the economic stability achieved following the war. The city has continued to thrive since then.
Food and Entertainment in Elizabeth City
With five historic districts, including the Elizabeth City Historic District, the Elizabeth City State Teachers College Historic District, the Northside Historic District, the Riverside Historic District, and the Shepard Street-South Road Street Historic District, and a lively downtown environment, Elizabeth City is the perfect place to experience the culture and entertainment that define the wonderful state of North Carolina. Get to know all about Elizabeth City’s rich history at places like the Museum of the Albemarle where you can find information about one of the very first regions to be settled by European colonists. The city also has a popular art scene. In 2005 the Lowry-Chesson Building became the permanent home of the regional arts council known as the Arts of the Albemarle. The building contains three different art galleries as well as the McGuire Theater.
Elizabeth City is also home to many parks and trails. You can enjoy nature alone or with the family at places like Charles Creek Park, Fenwick-Hollowell Wetlands Trail, and Waterfront Park. Some of more unique opportunities in the area include browsing around the Downtown Waterfront Market, planning a walking tour with Historic Albemarle Tours, or visiting the Khan Planetarium located on the Elizabeth City State University campus. There are also some more exciting activities that are perfect to enjoy with friends and family. These include playing games at Das Danmine Family Fun Center or gearing up for paintball at ECXP.
As far as food and drinks are concerned, Elizabeth City most definitely delivers. In the morning you can grab breakfast or coffee at places like Muddy Waters Coffeehouse, the Colonial Cafe, and Kathy’s Kreations. For lunch and dinner, there are an abundance of options offering a variety of cuisines. If you are looking to just get a nice American-style meal, then check out City Grille or choose from the incredible selection of fresh seafood options at Cypress Creek Grill. For those looking for something a little more exoctic, you can’t go wrong with places like Volcano and Toyama that feature authentic Japanese dishes or places like La Tiendita and The Happy Taco that offer a combination of various Mexican and tex-mex options to satisfy all of those spicy cravings. After a long day spent entertaining visitors and residents alike, Elizabeth City doesn’t stop there. With a variety of bars and breweries, this city has a vibrant nightlife for those who rise with the moon. Enjoy some of the local brews at Ghost Harbor Brewing Company and Seven Sounds Brewing Company. For the wine-lovers out there, 2 Souls Wine Bar is a must. And, you just can’t go wrong with the lively atmosphere and local charm at Newland Pub and Grill. No matter what you choose to do in this city, you are guaranteed to have a good time.
Fun Facts About Elizabeth City
- The name “Elizabeth City” is commonly attributed to a tavern owner named Elizabeth Tooley who donated most of the land on which the town was laid out.
- The Virginia Dare Hotel and Arcade, designed by William Lee Stoddart and completed in 1927, is the tallest building in the Greater Albemarle region.
- Invented by Dr. Joel Van Sant, the first American Moth Boat (a recreational sailboat commonly used for racing) was constructed in Elizabeth City in 1929.
- The Elizabeth City Shipyard was the largest supplier of subchasers during World War II. The shipyard built 30 out of the 438 subchasers constructed nationwide, and they did it in record time.
- Celebrating one of North Carolina’s most important crops, the North Carolina Potato Festival is held annually in Elizabeth City.
Our Dealership
If you’re looking for a new vehicle, our dealership has an exciting lineup of new Chevrolet cars, trucks, and SUVs to choose from. We also have a quality inventory of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles for those with a smaller budget who still want the looks, feel, and security of a new car. Start shopping now on our online site to explore our wide variety, and don’t forget to take advantage of our new vehicle specials and pre-owned specials.
The Performance Chevrolet finance department emphasizes a no-pressure sales environment to ensure your car-buying experience is a pleasant one. Buying a vehicle on your terms is our main priority when helping you through the entirety of the purchasing experience. Not exactly sure where to start regarding financing or leasing a vehicle? Take a look at our Financing page to understand the benefits for each. Once you have determined which scenario is best for you, continue the process by filling out our online finance application to get pre-approved by our lenders.
Did you know that servicing your vehicle with Performance Chevrolet is cheaper than going to an independent facility? Why take your vehicle to anyone outside of Suffolk other than a certified Performance Chevrolet Technician when the prices are better here? If you would like to see our rates, take a look at our Service Offers page for current prices and special offers. We always use genuine Chevrolet parts and accessories at the Chevrolet Suffolk service garage for the highest quality standard. Schedule a service appointment online or through the phone, and check out our service and parts specials!
Elizabeth City Resources
