New Bern

… city and county seat, central Craven County at the junction of Neuse and Trent Rivers. Settled in 1710; inc. 1723. Took its name from Bern, Switzerland, capital of the homeland of its founder, Baron Christoph de Graffenried. Alt. 12. New Bern was the colonial and state capital from 1746 until the est. of Raleigh in 1792, although during the period the General Assembly met in various places from time to time. It met there in 1738-40, 1744-46, 1747-51, 1754-59, 1760, 1762, 1765-78, 1784-85, 1791-93, and 1794. Produces boats, lumber, apparel, dairy products, fertilizer, and processed meat. See also Tryon Palace; Drysborough.