America's Oldest Black Town—Princeville, North Carolina—Needs Developmental Support, Here's What To Know

Historic and resilient Princeville, North Carolina suffers from severe flooding, abandonment, and citizen displacement. The area’s preservation is crucial, as it’s the oldest established and governed town formed by Black Americans.

Freed enslaved persons founded the area and called it Freedom Hill in 1865 after the Civil War. The town was later incorporated and dubbed Princeville in 1885. According to the small city’s website, the historic site is named after Turner Prince, a Black American who built “many of the community’s homes.”

The historically Black town is located in Edgecombe County along the Tar River. Its current population is approximately 1,200. A recently published Grist article reported that Princeville has faced over 12 floods in the last century. The hurricane-driven natural disasters in 1999 and 2016 were said to be particularly devastating.

The former storm had water 23 feet above street level. The latter storm, Hurricane Matthew, reportedly left Princeville 10 feet underwater and, unfortunately, never fully recovered.

“As a result, the damaged town hollowed out as residents and businesses left one by one, becoming yet another example of how slow and painful disaster recovery can be for rural and low-income communities,” Jake Bittle reports for Grist.

More recently, the town has been granted millions from FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money’s purpose is to rebuild elsewhere or possibly higher above dangerous levels. That said, now the town is embarking on another hurricane season—this year’s—without a promised levee to protect it.

As Travel Noire reportedly in early July, this year’s hurricane season is predicted to be “unprecedented.”

How Is Princeville Being Helped?

Princeville residents and officials are passionate about restoring and maintaining the historical parts of the city’s foundation. Combatting gentrification and providing accessible, affordable living options for its residents is essential to its expansion. So is providing local space for those who’ve been displaced.

In addition to FEMA’s support, the state has made efforts to aid the town in purchasing over 53 acres. State money has also been allotted toward Princeville city planning. The hope is reportedly to create a development of apartments, subsidized lodgings, businesses, a fire department, and a government building.

“Over time, the citizens of Princeville have developed a strong sense of pride in their history and in their community,” notes the town website. “And [Princeville] stands as a symbol of African-American determination and endurance.”