North Carolina’s nickname, “Tar Heel State,” comes from the state’s production of tar for naval vessels from 1720 to 1870. The state’s abundant pine forests provided pitch, which was collected and sold to the English navy. Before the American Revolutionary War, North Carolina supplied much of the naval tar needed by British shipping. Other legends and anecdotes have arisen to explain the nickname, but historians cannot verify them enough to pinpoint a precise origin. The name “Tar Heel” was later taken up by North Carolinians as a source of defensive pride.
The nickname of the US state of North Carolina, “Tar Heel State”, most likely derives from the state’s most prosperous industry from 1720 to 1870: the production of tar for naval vessels. North Carolina’s abundant pine forests provided a seemingly endless supply of pitch. When the logs were buried with earth and burned, the sticky resin oozed out of the wood, which was then collected and sold to the English navy. Before the American Revolutionary War, North Carolina supplied much of the naval tar needed by British shipping. Since then, other legends and anecdotes have arisen to explain the “Tar Heel State” nickname, including a Civil War story involving Robert E. Lee.
Before North Carolina was recognized as the “Tar Heel State,” it was called the “Turpentine State.” Turpentine, another word for tar or pitch produced in large quantities, referred to North Carolina’s most important industry before the 20th century. The tar bead connotation has a derogatory slant, later taken up by North Carolinians as a source of defensive pride. Various war stories abound, attributing the name of the tar bead to the American Revolutionary War and several Civil War battles. However, historians cannot verify the stories enough to pinpoint a precise origin.
In a story set during the Civil War, in 1863, North Carolina soldiers tenaciously held their ground in battle even after a Virginia regiment had withdrawn. A falling out arose between the two regiments, with the Virginians mocking the North Carolinians over the less noble use of tar production. The North Carolinians were witty in their reply, noting that perhaps the Virginians would do well to tar their heels to endure the coming battle. General Robert Lee, hearing of the spat, is said to have remarked, “God bless the tar-heel boys!” After that, the name stuck, so to speak.
More mentions of the tar heel boys have cropped up in documents following that story. General John Preston of South Carolina praised the “tar heels” for their dogged determination in another Civil War battle. In another battle, the North Carolina regiment was mocked for losing a battle and forgetting to put on its feet. North Carolinians seemed to embody their state’s motto, “To be, rather than to seem,” later adopted in 1893.
As a result, the Tar Heel name appeared in various print publications, including a piece of music written by a “Tar Heel” and a University of North Carolina student publication called The Daily Tar Heel. In the 1900s, politicians, writers and businessmen proudly called themselves the tar heels, and thus the “Tar Heel State” was born.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
