(Clark Farmhouse on Old Brick Road)

During the 1960s with the beginning of the decline of small tenant farms, large tracts with high tobacco allotments became inefficient for absentee owners. The Clark family, at this point, was beginning to age and die out. It was timely for them to convert their low production large tracts into cash and move on into newer fields.


(The Old Brick Road used by George Washington on his Southern Tour)

Efird Company:

In 1964, J Frank Efird Sr, his wife Peggy, and family (Jan, Ellis, Frank Jr, and Margaret, born later) moved to New Bern from Salisbury, NC.


Frank & Peggy Efird

In 1965, the Efird Company was organized to build single family homes - many for the retirees who came to the area.
Frank Efird began his search for a large tract of land with water and soil conditions that could be developed into a total living planned community.

Birth of River Bend Plantation:

The Odd Fellows farm was purchased in October 1967 for $486,000, and thus, was the beginning of a 25-year development plan for River Bend Plantation. In 1967, J Frank Efird Sr and a group of investors started developing the property, originally known as: Trent Estates. After a couple years, Efird was able to buy out his partners and began searching for a new name. After visiting the area pictured below off Shoreline Drive, Peggy Efird noticed the beautiful "Bend in the Trent River." River Bend Plantation, Inc. was organized to develop the new Planned Unit Development (PUD).


(Shoreline Drive at the 'Bend' in the Trent River)

The first family, Robert Loveridge, moved to River Bend Plantation in July 1969. Gradually at first, and then with increasing speed, the Efird concept was successfully marketed throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Primarily, the message was delivered to groups of people nearing or at retirement age. The response was excellent and, as demand grew, new sections of the project were opened. For those desiring a life style without yard and house maintenance, there were the Quarterdecks, Harbor Walk, and other mult-family homes. For those wishing a single family home and a separate lot, single family homes were available. In addition to retirees, many working and military families settled in River Bend. A 18 Hole Golf Course, 72 stall horse barn with Tack Shop, private school Trent Academy K-12, marina with shop, and grocery- gas station:  "The Bread and Bait Shop" - opened for business, as well as the Efird Company Real Estate Office.


(original Efird Company Office)


(River Bend Golf & Country Club)

The digging of Harbortown Marina, Plantation Lake, and all the Channel Run canals, almost one mile long, created navigable waterways to the Trent River.



During the excavation of the canals in River Bend, The River Bend Formation (formerly Trent Formation), was the discovery site of several new species by the Smithsonian of Oligocene Echinoid Fossils (shark, skate). See the Smithsonian Explanation.


(Jesse Quick overseeing dredging to Plantation Drive Lake)


(Jim Ferrel cutting the final connection to Trent River)


(One Mile Long Channel Run Canal  under construction)


(Habortown Marina Construction)


(Original Scotchman Store, Restaurant, & Drugstore)


(Shoreline/Plantation Dr. Intersection, River Bend Golf & CC, Harbortown Villas, Marina & Raquet Club)

The Red Caboose, originally a security officer's quarters, was functional as a unique playhouse and eventually became the first library.

(Red Caboose donated by Efird Company to the Town of River Bend)

Town of River Bend:
(History of River Bend PDF)