In 1917, the town of Hot Springs, North Carolina, transformed into a shared landscape of craftsmanship and culture after 2,000 German officers, sailors, and civilians carved out a community along the banks of the French Broad River.
Peace, Love, & Rock ’N’ Roll
In 1974, one of the largest music festivals ever held in the Southeast broke records — and fences — at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Decades later, fans recall August Jam with fondness.
The Life & Times of Our State Magazine
To commemorate our 90th anniversary, we’ve compiled a time line that highlights the stories, contributors, and themes that have shaped this magazine — and your view of the Old North State — using nine decades of our own words.
Real Estate Regret
What’s not to love about living in a historic house once owned by a North Carolina governor? The squirrels and possums and snakes, of course.
38 Legendary North Carolina Seafood Restaurants
After nearly a century — or just a couple of years — these seafood restaurants have become coastal icons, the places we know, love, and return to again and again.
7 Vintage Games, Crossword Puzzles, and Quizzes from the Our State Archives
Think you’re a North Carolina trivia master? Test your knowledge with retro games from way back when.
Turbo Turtles
On June 15, 1940, a tiny turtle named Leopold lived up to his royal name by winning first place in Mount Airy’s Turtle Derby. The prize? Twenty dollars.
