At first glance it is easy to place Vandemere, North Carolina into a stereotypical category—quaint, sleepy little fishing village. Anyone that takes a moment to really observe this Pamlico County town quickly realizes it is a vibrant community with a proud history.

If you want to raise a quick smile from a Vandemerian just say that you have "passed through" their town. Vandemere is a destination, not a pass through. Generally speaking, you end up in Vandemere because you intended to. Since the town is located on a peninsula that pokes out into the Bay River, it is only occasionally that a visitor comes by water and leaves by land or vice versa.

This "Village By The Sea" lives up to its name. Arriving in Vandemere by water [chart] gives you a snapshot view that hasn’t changed significantly during the twentieth century. The large expanse of waterfront is graced with picturesque fishing trawlers docked just down the street from stately homes. The Norman Rockwell quality of the main street, Pennsylvania Avenue, gives way to green farm fields. There is no question that fishing and farming are the economic anchors of the community.

There are historical references to Vandemere as early as 1699 when it was mentioned in a treaty with the Bay River Indians. In 1874, Vandemere became the second town in Pamlico County to incorporate. Sometime around 1870 a Dr. Delon Henry Abbott arrived in Vandemere and took an active part in developing businesses that would support a larger community. In partnership with others he held interests in a sawmill, gristmill, store, storehouses, lumber and even a schooner by the name of "O.H. Folly".

Vandemere’s history is practically written on its street signs. The names in the land records of 1870 are not only found on the streets, but on today’s mailboxes and businesses. Griggs, Holton and McCotter are just a few of the family names that are still well known in Vandemere. McCotter Seafood, McCotter Farms and Pamlico Packing Company are companies located in Vandemere whose genealogy is easily traced back to founding names.