1920 TUCKER LITTLETON HOUSE and Visitors Center

203 Church Street
According to the Swansboro Historical Association, the Littleton house was moved in 2007--from one block west. Though built by James Reed Littleton, the house is named for his son Tucker Littleton. The structure was dated by NR as 1960.

James Reed Littleton (1909-) was the son of net fisherman Edward F. Littleton (1874-) and Brancy M. Reed. James married Nita Parkin (1902-1955). In the 1930 census, 20-year-old James was recorded living with his parents and siblings Annie L. 28, Richard C. 26, and Robert E. 24. Edward Littleton and his sons were all listed as net fishermen.

Tucker Reed Littleton, born March 4, 1936, was a state and local historian. The Littleton Collection is located in the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh. The index of most of the collection can be found at the Swansboro branch, and the Tucker Littleton Room of the main branch of the Onslow County Library, Jacksonville. The room contains a portrait of Tucker Littleton and is a dedicated genealogical research facility. This special collection contains published and manuscript resources useful in the study of genealogy in Onslow County and North Carolina.

In 1963 Tucker Littleton was recipient of the Ruth Coltrane Cannon Honor Award, Preservation North Carolina's most prestigious preservation award, presented to an individual or organization that has made contributions of statewide significance to historic preservation.

Littleton was author of many now out-of-print publications, including Along the Path of History: A self-guided walking tour of the old port town of Swansboro: with an introduction to its maritime history AND Historic Swansborough Seaport: Coastal sea breezes, historic old homes, quaint shops, good restaurants, friendly people.

NAME HISTORY: Tom Howland, descendant of Benjamin Tucker Howland* (1778-1862), wrote: "Here's a story no one knows. I knew Tucker Littleton, a bright guy who I believe graduated from college at 20.  His name originated from Benjamin Tucker Howland (1778-1862)—the first of that name in any of the families. Benjamin Tucker Howland’s youngest brother, Samuel (born about 1799) named a son Benjamin Tucker Howland (born 1842).  All the Benjamin Tucker Howlands were known as “Tucker.” Samuel Howland's son lived in Swansboro, home of Tucker Littleton's father James Reed Littleton. Tucker Littleton told me his name came from Swanboro's Tucker Howland. Tucker Littleton was an excellent researcher and historian."

*In 1832 Captain Benjamin Tucker Howand, of Beaufort, sold part of their business and what became known as Beaufort's Front Street "Duncan House" to his daughter Elicia Howland Duncan and son-in-law Thomas Duncan.