Bladen County, located in North Carolina with a population of 29,606 as of the 2020 census, has a rich history dating back to its creation as Bladen Precinct in 1734, later achieving county status in 1739. Named after Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade, the county originally formed a vast area with undefined boundaries and hosted early populations such as the Waccamaw people. Over the years, significant reductions in its size occurred as it contributed land to form several surrounding counties: Anson County in 1750, Cumberland County in 1754, Brunswick County in 1764, Robeson County in 1787, and Columbus County in 1808. Due to these territorial changes, Bladen County is often referred to as the "mother county" of North Carolina, having once encompassed parts of 55 of the state's current 100 counties. Today, its county seat, Elizabethtown, serves as a hub for exploring the area's rich history and cultural heritage.