Founded by freed people, James City has Civil War roots
James City is a growing, unincorporated community at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. It started as the “Trent River Settlement,” a haven for newly freed Black Americans after the 1862 Battle of New Bern. At the Civil War’s close, it was renamed for Reverend Horace James, the colony’s manager. Today, James City has a population of just under 5,000 people. Its proximity to New Bern’s “thriving, historic downtown” is a leading draw, along with new construction and waterfront properties, says Realtor Melissa Rankin with NorthGroup.
New townhomes and older ranches featured in a coastal market
The median sale price is around $320,000 in James City, encompassing a variety of homes, from vintage cottages to contemporary million-dollar waterfront houses. Multifamily housing is limited to newly built townhouses. Ranch-style houses are popular among the older housing stock, while many new construction properties adhere to New Traditional designs. Properties in special flood zones, like those on the waterfront, require flood insurance for federally backed mortgages. Hurricane season on the Atlantic Coast runs from the start of June to the end of November.
James City students have access to public and private schools
James City is served by Craven County Schools, graded B-plus by Niche. Brinson Memorial Elementary and Grover C. Fields Middle also earn B-plus grades. New Bern High has a B and offers various Advanced Placement courses; subjects include Spanish literature, Spanish language and World History. New Bern Christian Academy is a private, faith-based school for kindergarten through Grade 12 in James City, and more private options are in New Bern.
From sacred ground to scenic waters, James City tells its story
Some of the 1862 Civil War Battle of New Bern was fought in what would become James City. Visitors can walk the historic, preserved grounds at New Bern Battlefield Park, which hosts regular reenactments and tours. The James City Historical Society also offers tours of historic slave quarters and the Far Cemetery, where a monument stands commemorating the 520-plus freedmen and children buried there, grave markers lost to history. Creekside Park was named for its spot on Brice’s Creek, where it has a kayak launch. It also has many sports facilities, from tennis and pickleball courts to ballfields. Another boat ramp is about 2 miles from James City, on the western shores of Brice’s Creek. The creek is the northern neck of the roughly 100-mile-long Saltwater Adventure Trail. The paddling route wraps around the shorelines of Croatan National Forest, a 16,000-acre stretch of protected coastal pinelands with hiking trails.
Everyday needs and downtown New Bern are a short drive away
U.S. Route 70 is the main road in James City. It’s lined by familiar chains, such as Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Dunkin’ and Bojangles, so residents don’t have to go far from home for errands. There are a few local hangouts on the strip, too. Sea & Soul is a popular bar and grill that serves surf and turf with a Southern soul-food flair. Down the street, Beartown Bistro & Pizza Company offers a laid-back sports-bar vibe. Entertainment, attractions and more options for shopping and dining are close by in New Bern’s historic downtown, a couple of miles away. New Bern also has the nearest hospital, CarolinaEast Medical Center, less than 5 miles away.
Airport access and major highways shape local traffic
James City is home to Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, with flights to Charlotte, Orlando and Hartford. U.S. Route 17 and U.S. Route 70 intersect on the city’s north side, and Front Street – a straight shot to New Bern – is also in the interchange. “[James City] is our bottleneck area, and it probably has the heaviest traffic in the New Bern area,” Rankin says. U.S. Route 70 is being redeveloped to address traffic concerns, and upgrades include widening the highway to interstate standards.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
