Page "Arapahoe, North Carolina" Paragraph 1

Arapahoe was founded a few years after New Bern, North Carolina by settlers leaving the New Bern colony.

This area was settled in 1703 on the old Indian trail from the big bend in the river heading west to Core Point.

The community was called “ Bethany Crossroads ”.

That Indian trail is still in use today but is now called North Carolina Highway 306.

In 1886 Bob Hardison, after discussing it with his friend Bob Bowden decided to apply to the U. S. Postal Department for a Post office to be located at “ Bethany Crossroads ” in Pamlico County.

They filled out an application and both signed it.

When it was returned to them it was addressed to “ Bob ’ s Town ”, the reason being that there was already a “ Bethany Crossroads ” in the vicinity of Fayetteville.

Neither of the Bobs liked “ Bob ’ s Town ” so they had to come up with a different name.

After a lengthy discussion Bob Hardison said “ Well if you have no objection, we will name it after my old white horse, Arapahoe .” So it was decided and a new application filed.

It was likely a year or longer before all paperwork was completed, but “ Bethany Crossroads ” was no more and there by named the Town of Arapahoe.