Rusty sign that says 'Legacy Services' near a waterfront with boats, rocks, and a sunset sky with clouds.
Rusty wooden wagon wheel with the text "Mill Creek" in a vintage style font.

“In every town across Eastern North Carolina, the heart of the place stays the same — whether the tourists are here or gone. That steady, everyday heartbeat is what the Invasion Series is here to show.”

Oriental’s Constant Invasion

Oriental, NC, started as Smith’s Creek, settled by Lewis B. Midyette around 1870; it was renamed after the wrecked Civil War steamship Oriental, whose nameplate was found by the postmaster's wife, Rebecca Midyette, around 1886 when the post office opened, officially becoming a town in 1899, growing as a fishing and lumber hub before transitioning into a sailing and tourist destination.  

Rusty mill wheel with the words 'Mill Creek' in gold letters in front of it.

I randomly select towns across Eastern NC to invade. No not like that, just with my camera and lens. My eye looks for the things that build the heart and soul of a downtown area. My hopes are to bring attention to these towns and remind people of where these towns once stood tall and with pride. The history that lives in the streets and in the brick and mortar of every town.

-Jeff

About Me
Nighttime scene of two large round silos and a smaller building between them, illuminated by exterior and interior lights, surrounded by trees and a dark starry sky, with a road in the foreground and a sign for The Silos restaurant.
Nighttime view of two large, cylindrical metal silos with windows, illuminated by exterior lighting, under a starry sky, with trees in the background.
Nighttime view of a West Marine store with a lit sign, surrounded by trees and a small parking lot.
Nighttime view of a village restaurant building with a parking lot in front and a sign indicating seafood buffet, with trees and a dark blue sky in the background.
Nighttime view of a two-story building with a porch, trees in the background, and a parking lot in the foreground, illuminated by exterior lights.
Nighttime view of a green building with a covered porch, outdoor chairs, and decorative pumpkins, with a large wooden coffee mill logo in the bottom left corner and a dark blue sky with trees in the background.
A deserted gas station at dusk with bright lights, fuel pumps, and a small convenience store surrounded by trees.
Exterior view of Village Hardware & Marine Supply store decorated with colorful Christmas lights at dusk, with a clear sky and trees in the background.
A small town building with brick walls and a covered porch at night, lit by exterior lights. There is a large tree with lit branches on the right, and a sign for Village Realty and the History Museum at 802 Broad Street. The sky is dark blue, and the
A white two-story building with a sign reading 'Oriental Deli & Subs' illuminated at night. The parking lot is mostly empty, and there is a large leafless tree in front of the building. Additional signs on the left indicate nearby businesses, includi
A small, white brick building with a dark roof and illuminated signs in a small town during dusk or early evening. The building has several windows and a door, with outdoor lighting and a bench outside.
Nighttime view of a white brick art gallery building decorated with Christmas lights, ornaments, and holiday decor. The building has large windows with festive displays and a large star-shaped light on the wall. A seating area with colorful benches a
A small industrial building with a sign that reads 'Jonathan's Automotive Repair.' Several cars are parked outside, including a white pickup truck parked in front. There is outdoor lighting illuminating the building, and a string of red lights is vis
A houses with a porch and stairs at dusk, with a sign in front that reads 'Mariner' and a realtor sign that says 'REALTOR'.
A two-story building made of stone with a sign that says 'YOGA' hanging outside, indicating it is a yoga studio. The building has white trim and awnings over the entrance doors. A sidewalk and a small garden with fallen leaves are in front. A sign on
A white building with signage for a theater, outdoor benches, trees, utility poles, and a street with a 25 mph speed limit sign, during dusk or early evening.
A two-story house decorated for Christmas with American and Texas flags on the porch, Christmas lights, and a 'Merry Christmas' sign in the yard, situated in a small town at dusk.
A yellow, three-story Victorian house decorated for Christmas, with Christmas lights in the windows, holiday figures on the porch, and holiday decorations on the lawn, during dusk.
A house decorated with Christmas lights on a street during dusk.
A two-story gray house with white trim, front porch, and American flag at sunset, with trees and a sign in front
A large brick house at sunset with cars parked in front, part of a neighborhood, with trees and bushes around.
A scenic view of a sunset over a body of water with a wooden bench in the foreground, a metal fence, and a small pier extending into the water. There is a large tree on the left side and some clouds in the sky.
A hawk perched on a leafless tree branch against a bright blue sky, with the Mill Creek logo in the lower left corner.
Colorful stained glass window with religious scenes, divided by a large red cross, on a brick building exterior at night.
Night view of a brick church with a steeple, illuminated by surrounding lights, with trees on both sides and stairs leading up to entrance.
Night view of a brick church with festive Christmas wreaths on the white wooden double doors, set against a dark sky, illuminated by warm lighting, with steps leading up to the entrance and trees surrounding the building.
Nighttime exterior of a brick church with lit cross on front, decorated with wreaths and steps leading up to entrance, surrounded by trees and lit street lamps.
Church entrance with red doors decorated with Christmas wreaths, a large cross mounted above, within brick walls and arched entryways.
Night view of a lit-up two-story apartment building with a parking lot in front, containing several parked cars, under a starry sky.
A nighttime scene of a sign for River Neuse Suites and a hotel in Oriental, North Carolina. The sign is illuminated, with a large tree and empty Adirondack chairs in the background.
A house with a wraparound porch decorated with string lights, situated on a grassy yard with a large tree in the foreground, during dusk or early evening.