Book excerpt: Since 1722, Carteret County has withstood invasions by pirates and the Spanish, been home to Civil War generals and spies, and served the societal elite with opulent resort hotels. Its rich history has drawn tourists to the area from the earliest time. Much has changed since those early days: grand old hotels have succumbed to hurricanes, passenger and freight trains have nearly vanished, and once-quiet streets are now lined with cars. The postcards in this volume capture Carteret County's heritage from the early 1900s through the 1960s, illustrating its changes and preserving its history.