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Welcome to the city of Havelock. Best known as the home to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, the largest Marine Corps Air Station in the world, Havelock is a diverse city with much to offer visitors and residents. The city and the military base have a population of about 22,500, making Havelock the second-largest city in Craven County. This is a far cry from the 100 residents recorded in 1950. Admittedly, Havelock gained a few residents when the base was annexed, but it is still one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the state. More and more people are choosing to move here because of its proximity to the coast.

History

Havelock was named for Gen. Henry Havelock, a British general best remembered for his courageous rescue of hostages during a bloody uprising in India in the mid-1800s. A marble bust of Gen. Havelock stands in the Havelock City Hall.

First called Havelock Station, the community saw action during the Civil War when troops from the Rhode Island Heavy Artillery came ashore in 1862 near what is now the base Officer's Club. From that point, Union troops captured New Bern and Fort Macon on Bogue Banks.

At one time, the production of tar and turpentine had a large economic impact on Havelock, but once steam engines began replacing wooden ships as transporters of goods, the market for tar and turpentine waned. Because of its proximity to waters and forests, Havelock gained notoriety in the late 1800s and early 1930s for its fishing and hunting opportunities.

Area historians and artifact collectors value pictures of baseball great Babe Ruth, who often spent time in the area pursuing outdoor sports. Today's residents and visitors to the Havelock area can enjoy being outdoors in the Croatan National Forest. This 157,000-acre forest spreads in a triangle between Morehead City, Cape Carteret and New Bern, and it borders Havelock on three sides. The forest features many ecosystems, endangered animals, plant species and wildflowers. (You can find information about the Croatan National Forest in our Crystal Coast Attractions chapter.)

U.S. Highway 70 runs through the middle of Havelock. The growth of businesses along the highway — and the plethora of traffic lights that has resulted — has led to traffic delays and backups, particularly at rush hours and during the busy summer seasons. The Department of Transportation is planning to construct a bypass to guide traffic off the existing U.S. Highway 70 just west of Havelock to take that traffic south of Havelock and reconnect it to U.S. 70 at the Craven County-Carteret County line on the east side of Havelock. This bypass will be connected to the city in several areas as it loops the city. Funds for construction of the bypass have been diverted to another highway project; the start date at this point is 2015.

Havelock has a lot to offer, but don't just view the city from U.S. Highway 70. Take a turn here or there. Stop at a few businesses — you might be surprised at what you find.

In this chapter we offer a quick look at the city of Havelock. We have given some general information about Havelock businesses, events and services. You'll find listings for restaurants, accommodations, shopping, attractions, annual events, golf courses and real estate agencies. These sections are by no means comprehensive, but just a sampling of what you'll find in the city. Information about area industry and military services is at the end of the chapter.

 

Havelock is often referred to as the "Gateway to Cherry Point." With more than 15,500 sailors, Marines and civilians working at the air station, Cherry Point is home to the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW) and Fleet Readiness Center, which ranks as the number one single-site industrial employer east of Interstate 95.

The air station was first authorized by Congress in 1941. The arduous task of clearing the original 8,000 acres of swamp, farms and timberland began in August 1941, with actual construction beginning 17 days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. The air station was commissioned on May 20, 1942, as Cunningham Field, in honor of the Marine Corps' first aviator, Lt. Alfred A. Cunningham. In August 1942 the first troops arrived at the air station, and the 2d MAW officially made Cherry Point its home in April 1946.

Although stories abound on how the base took the name Cherry Point, it is believed to have been adopted from an old post office established in the area years before. The post office, used by the Blades Lumber workers, was closed in 1935. The original "Point" was just east of Hancock Creek, and "Cherry" came from the cherry trees that once grew there. The airfield itself, consisting of the runways and tower, is still technically named Cunningham Field.

From 1946 until the present day, the 2d MAW has been integral in training thousands of Marines for the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. Now the Wing has elements permanently stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, MCAS New River, North Carolina, and MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. It is equipped with helicopters, fighters, and attack and refueler/transport aircraft.

Over the years, Cherry Point has grown from a small airfield to one of the Marine Corps' most important air stations. The original 8,000-acre area has been expanded continuously and now encompasses over 13,000 acres with an additional 15,975 acres of auxiliary activities. Built in 1941 at a cost of $14.9 million, the value of the base is now more than $7.43 billion. Approximately 10,677 Marines and sailors stationed at Cherry Point earn an annual payroll of about $671 million. Combined with the station's nearly 5,575 civilian employees and 7,201 retired military personnel living in the area, more than $1.4 billion is pumped into the local economy every year from Cherry Point. These salaries, plus local expenditures for supplies and capital improvements, have an economic impact of more than $1.45 billion annually on the state of North Carolina.

 

The City of Havelock's Tourist and Events Center is located next to Hampton Inn Havelock. The 17,000-square-foot facility includes an impressive aviation exhibit and is the site of many social and business meetings, weddings, receptions, military events and community events. For information call (252) 444-4348.
 

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