Town of Grifton, NC

Town of Grifton
528 Queen Street
P.O. Box 579
Grifton, NC 28530
(252) 524-5168

CONTENTNEA CREEK

Contentnea Creek provides excellent year-round fishing, and a challenging, swift-flowing current for the canoeist. These and its scenic beauty gave us the shad theme when we were looking for a way to have family fun while developing a greater sense of unity in Grifton.

The creek bisects Grifton and separates Pitt from Lenoir County. The town grew up along both banks, and the creek was a major transportation and commerce artery. Steamboats carried produce, fertilizer and farm supplies up and down the Neuse River twice weekly between New Bern and Grifton. The steamboat “Phillips” had a “wildcat whistle” which the captain pulled on approaching Grifton, and the children raced to the boat landing to watch the excitement.

Early names for Grifton reflect the influence the creek had: Peter’s Ferry (1753), Blount’s Ford (1764), Bell’s Ferry (1850).

The floods of Hurricane Floyd in September 1999 destroyed homes along both sides of the creek and the area cannot be rebuilt with permanent housing structures. A committee of citizens, town government and recreation and social agencies developed plans and found funding for a Creekside Park on both sides of the creek. On the Lenoir County side there are ten water and sewer hookups for RV campers and space for primitive camping, sand volleyball court and walking trail. On the Pitt County side of the creek there are picnic facilities and rest rooms overlooking the boat landing. The RV camping area is available for visitors to the Shad Festival to stay there. Call the Grifton Town Hall (252-524-5168) to reserve a space.