Outer Banks History & Area Info
History Northern Beaches Central Beaches Hatteras Island
Outer Banks History
The Outer Banks of North Carolina consists of a narrow strip of land that stretches over 100 miles from the beaches of Carova to the beaches of Hatteras Island and includes both Dare and Currituck counties. With its rich history, unsurpassed scenery and wildlife sanctuaries, the Outer Banks is an incredible place to vacation and explore..jpg)
In 1584 explorers Arthur Barlowe and Philip Amadas first discovered the Outer Banks. Returning to England accompanied by two native men Manteo and Wanchese, they reported that the area would be great for settlement because of the broad sounds and estuaries. In 1587 over 100 men, women and children came to the island, now known as Roanoke Island, from Britain to settle and begin a new life in the New World. August 18, 1587, Virginia Dare, was the first English child born in the New World. Within three years of their arrival to the New World, the entire group had completely disappeared. Only a few traces were ever found: a few carved stones, the word CROATAN carved in a tree, and multiple items at the actual settlement site on Roanoke Island. Roanoke Island has an ongoing outdoor drama telling the story of the settlers, now known as The Lost Colony.
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Pirates on the OBX
Pirates are noted for taking advantage of the shallow coastlines on the Outer Banks; the most notable being Blackbeard. From 1713 -1718 the likes of “Calico Jack” Rackam, Christopher Moody, Robert Deal, Richard Wonley, Anne Bonny, and Captain Pain used the shallow coastlines to their advantage. Blackbeard being the most notorious of all pirates turned to piracy in 1716, before that time he was Edward Teach. In the spring of 1718 he moved to the Outer Banks. After raiding several cargo ships destined for Virginia, the Governor of Virginia ended Blackbeard’s reign of terror in November of 1718. The area just off of the Outer Banks coastline has come to be known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic because of the overwhelming number of shipwrecks due to piracy, stormy weather and for other reasons.Wright Brothers National Memorial
After years of models and trials on December 17, 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright manned the historic first flight on the Outer Banks, in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The telegraph informing family and media of the monumental flight was sent from the lifesaving station in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. It is often misreported that the actual flight took place in Kitty Hawk when it actually took place five miles away in Kill Devil Hills.
Northern Beaches
On the northern end of the Outer Banks, Carova is known as the 4 wheel drive area because it can only be reached with a 4 wheel drive vehicle; the paved road ends just north of Corolla. This narrow strip of sand is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound. The beaches are impressive, as are the homes, and you may also get lucky and spot a few Spanish mustangs that roam free in the area. If you don’t have access to a 4 wheel drive vehicle, plan an outing with a guided tour outfit and explore the unspoiled beaches. (WinCE) (2).JPG)
Corolla offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy wide, pristine beaches, historic sites, ample shopping, fabulous dining, and is the most recently developed area on the Outer Banks, part of Currituck County. Corolla is home to some of the most opulent homes that the Outer Banks has to offer, but you can still find simple, no frills beach cottages. Visit the Currituck Beach Lighthouse which was built in 1875 stands 162 feet tall remained in use until its functions were automated in 1939. Tours of the Currituck Lighthouse are available, for more information call 252-453-8152. The Whalehead Club, a 23,000 square foot former residence, was built in 1925 with influences by historic Philadelphia Style farmhouses as well as the Arts & Crafts style. It was originally called Corolla Island and cost $383,000 to build. The Whalehead Club was purchased by Currituck County in 1992 and $20 million has been spent restoring it to its original splendor. Tours are available, call 252-453-9040 for more information. Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary is also located in Corolla and its 5000 acres is best explored by kayak. .JPG)
The quaint village of Duck offers quiet stretches of beach, soundfront water sports, shopping and restaurants. Duck earned its name from the abundance of migrating waterfowl that used to be the area's main attraction. The winding path is perfect for a scenic morning run or an evening walk. Located at the northern edge of Duck, North Carolina is the Army Corp of Engineers Research Facility and Pier. The facility, with its 1,840 foot long concrete pier, provides scientists with the opportunity to track subsurface ocean currents, the effects of jetties, beach nourishment projects and chart the movements of the slender strip of sand called the Outer Banks. Guided one hour tours are available from June 19 to mid-August. Central Beaches
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Just south of Duck is Kitty Hawk, a family oriented town with miles of gorgeous beaches, full of history and character. It is the first town you enter as you cross the Wright Memorial Bridge on to the Outer Banks. The town has numerous public beach accesses, several with parking. Most of Kitty Hawk has a very low dune line, offering some of the best unobstructed ocean views on the Outer Banks. There is also great shopping and restaurants. Kitty Hawk is also the location of the lifesaving station, now the Black Pelican Restaurant, from which the telegraph informing family and friends of the historic Wright Brothers flight on December 17, 1903. Kitty Hawk was called Chickahauk by native Indians; some believe "Kitty Hawk" is the closest English pronunciation of the Indian phrase meaning "goose hunting grounds". Others say that the local term for the ever-present dragonflies --"skeeter hawk" was further twisted by the island brogue to sound like "kitty hawk". The name Kitty Hawk was established enough by the mid-1700’s to be used on land deeds. .jpg)
The oldest incorporated town on the Outer Banks, Kill Devil Hills, often called KDH by locals, offers miles of stunning beaches, perfect for relaxing and fun filled days. Kill Devil Hills is the commercial hub of the Outer Banks, but most notably, it is the site of the Wright Brother’s historic 1903 flight. The Wright Brother’s monument is the focal part of the town, sitting high atop Kill Devil Hill in the center of the town. When lit, the light on top of the 61 foot pylon can be seen for miles. The name Kill Devil Hills first appeared on a map in 1808. There are different variations as to how the area got its name. Some legends have said that the rum consumed by bankers was so bad it would kill the Devil. Other stories speak of a brand of rum called Kill Devil Rum that often washed ashore from shipwrecks during the colonial period. One story even stated that the waters around this area were so bad to navigate that it would kill the devil to try..jpg)
A popular vacation destination for over 150 years, the charm and history of Nags Head is captivating. The locals favorite story is that Nags Head got its name from pirates who would walk the beaches with a lantern around an “old nags” neck in an attempt to lure ships onto the shallow coastline. The look of Nags Head changes as you travel south. Northern Nags Head has more shopping, restaurants and activities. Nags Head accommodations vary from classic “Old Nags Head” style cottages, which are full of character and history, to large modern luxury homes. Jockey's Ridge, the tallest active sand dune system in the Eastern US is located in Nags Head. Northeast and southwest winds blow the sand back and forth which continually changes the shape of the dune. Jockeys Ridge State Park spans 420 acres and quartz content came from mountains millions of years ago. Three ecological environments exist here: dunes, Roanoke Sound Estuary and maritime thicket. Jockeys Ridge offers educational programs. For more information on Jockey’s Ridge visit or call 252-441-7132. 
Just south of Nags Head is Whalebone Junction, where the roads leading to Hatteras and Roanoke Islands come together, forming the shape of a whale. South Nags Head is a long ribbon of homes and condominiums, bordered by the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Old Oregon Inlet Road guides you along the oceanside and straight to Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Island. This peaceful area is just a few miles from the shopping, dining and activities of northern Nags Head. The lack of commercial development means wide stretches of uncrowded beaches and quiet night gazing at the stars.South Nags Head is home to Bodie Island Lighthouse which was built in 1872 and stands 156 feet tall. Bodie Island Lighthouse is painted white with 22 foot black horizontal stripes. The beacon can be seen for 19 nautical miles.
Hatteras Island
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After crossing the Oregon Inlet Bridge, a three mile span, to Hatteras Island the first trio of villages is Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo, which lie just south of the Pea Island Wildlife Refuge. Hatteras Island is characterized by gorgeous wide beaches and crystal blue waters. At the southern end of Hatteras Island is Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village, all are rich with history of lifesaving, boat building and fishing. Recent development in this area has brought a large grocery store, a movie theater, new restaurants and shops. Pea Island Wildlife Refuge spans 5,915 acres from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe. Pea Island Wildlife Refuge is widely known for its large variety of migrating waterfowl it the perfect location for birdwatchers. Chicomacomico Lifesaving Station is located in Rodanthe. Chicomacomico is one of the seven original lifesaving stations on the Outer Banks. From 1874 to 1954, the US Coast Guard lifesaving crews stationed in this beautiful wooden building battled the shoals and surf of Hatteras Island to rescue hundreds of shipwrecked sailors. Buxton 
is home to the Cape Hatteras Light Station which stands 198 feet tall, contains 268 steps and is painted white and black candy stripes. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was completed in 1870 and moved to its current site in 1999. Frisco Native American Museums and Natural History Center is located in Frisco, North Carolina. Housed in a 100+ year old building, it provides a rich history of the Native American way of life. Graveyard of the Atlantic museum is located in Hatteras. The museum is dedicated to storing the history of the ships that have fallen victim to the shallow shores of the North Carolina coast. The town of Avon was known as Kinnakeet until the US Postal Service changed the name in 1883. Buxton was originally known as The Cape and later renamed in honor of a judge, Ralph P. Buxton. Frisco was previously called Trent or Trent Woods, and was probably changed because, at the time, there was a town with a similar name. Hatteras kept its original name. “Village” is commonly added to avoid confusing it with Cape Hatteras or Hatteras Inlet.Ocracoke Island, which lies south of the Outer Banks, can only be accessed by a 40 minute ferry ride from Hatteras Island. Ocracoke, North Carolina is home to the Ocracoke lighthouse which was built in 1823 and stands 74 feet tall. Its beacon can be seen for 14 nautical miles. Visit for more information on the Ocracoke Lighthouse.
