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What's With That Name?
Since you'll probably notice many unusual place names during your time on the Outer Banks, we thought you may be interested in some of the stories behind someof those names. Facts, lore, and legends associated with names of our towns and historic sites range from the readily believable to the surely fantastical.
Bodie (Bodie Island Lighthouse)-
Originally, Bodie Island was actually an island and the name appears on maps from the eighteenth century. However, due to shifting sands, this area is now connected at the north to the larger part of the Outer Banks. As with most unusual Outer Banks names, speculation surrounds the origin of the name Bodie. Some believe Bodie refers to an early family who lived in the area. Others speculate it is the name of a ship that frequented the area or that was wrecked near the island. Another story behind the name Bodie suggests it simply referred to a "body of land," since early maps list the spelling as Body. The most interesting story, however, says the name (hence the pronunciation) reflects how the area was a particularly dangerous one for early mariners, and many "bodies" washed ashore here from numerous shipwrecks. Plan to visit Bodie Island Lighthouse during your vacation.
Colington (Colington Island, Colington Road, Colington Harbour)-
Colington was named for Sir John Colleton to whom the island land was given in 1663. Spelling has varied through the centuries. A post office existed on the island in the late 1800's. Today, Joe Lamb, Jr. and Associates offers several nice vacation rental homes in the gated community of Colington Harbour. Guests at these houses will enjoy fishing, crabbing, and a variety of water activities from their back yards. Look toward Colington every evening for spectacular Outer Banks sunsets!
Croatan (Croatan Highway)-
Croatan was the name of an Indian village once located near what is now Cape Hatteras. As you travel down Croatan Highway, you'll recall that part of the word Croatan carved on a tree was the only clue about what happened to the famous lost colonists of Roanoke Island. Are you the one who will solve the centuries-old mystery of the "lost colony"?
Currituck (Currituck Club, Currituck Sound, Currituck Lighthouse)-
The name Currituck is most often traced back to native language from the area. The Algonquian word Carotank meant "wild geese." A variety of spellings leading to today's version of the word have appeared on maps through the ages. In the late 1800s Currituck was a prime area for duck and geese hunting, and sportsmen came here from all over the country. Step back into the 1920's as you tour the Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park. Originally, this "cottage" was built by its wealthy owner as a hunting lodge. Golfers are sure to enjoy a round at the Currituck Club. And, those who like the challenge of a unique adventure will enjoy a climb to the top of Currituck Lighthouse!
Dare (Dare County)-
The name Dare is easily attributed to Virginia Dare, who was the first born English child in the new land. During your vacation here, be sure to attend a performance of The Lost Colony, the longest running outdoor drama on the East Coast, for an intimate portrayal of the story surrounding Virginia Dare's birth. Dare County, in which you are vacationing, was founded in 1870!
Duck (Town of Duck)-
This name has its obvious to connection to the vast number and many types of ducks found in the area. Duck hunting was extremely popular here, especially early in the twentieth century. You will notice many duck/bird stores in the area. Plan to purchase a hand-carved decoy or beautiful painting at one of these specialty shops: a unique reminder of your time on the Outer Banks.
Hatteras (Cape Hatteras, Hatteras Lighthouse)-
If you journey south to climb the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, pay attention to how much grass and shrub you see. Today, it's hard to accept that scholars believe the name Hatteras is from an Algonquian word that meant very little vegetation. The Hatteras Indians (Algonquian tribe) occupied the Cape Hatteras area at the beginning of the eighteenth century. Their small village, Sandbanks, had approximately 80 residents. Since the site was so small, it may have been only a seasonal settlement established by a tribe from the mainland for use during extended fishing trips. The tribe claimed white ancestry, and may have been the same as the Croatan Indians with whom the lost colonists went to live. Can you see traces of an Indian village from atop the lighthouse? Hatteras Inlet, which separates Hatteras and Ockracoke Islands and across which you may ride the ferry to Ockracoke, was formed from a hurricane in 1846.
Jockey's Ridge (Jockey's Ridge State Park)-
Local legend has it that the name Jockey's Ridge came about because from the top of this tall dune there was a great view of the horse track that used to be in the valley southwest of the dune. Others believe the name may have derived from Jackey or Jacock, the name of a long-ago Outer Banks land owner who had a lot of property in the vicinity of the dunes. To climb to the top of Jockey's Ridge during your stay is a must. The panoramic view - seeing sound and ocean at the same time is spectacular. If you dare, arrange for hang-gliding lessons, and soar above the sand!
Kill Devil Hills (Town of Kill Devil Hills)-
Several stories about the origin of the name Kill Devil Hills exist. One of them has to do with rum that was prevalent in the area. Supposedly, in 1728 William Byrd of Virginia said the rum from here was so bad it would kill the devil. Another story tells of the time a ship carrying "kill devil rum" ran aground here. A local resident nicknamed Devil Ike agreed to guard the rum. When he discovered it was being looted, he scared the thief away. However, Ike announced the devil had been the one stealing the rum, and that he had killed the devil and saved the rum. Another story has a man exchanging his soul to the devil in return for a bag of gold. The night before the exchange, the man dug a deep hole in a giant sand dune, then at the time of their meeting he tricked the devil into the hole and buried him. A mariner's tale has it that this area of the sound was so difficult to sail, it could kill the devil. The least exciting possibility for the origin of the name is that it was derived from Killdee or Killdeer because of the large number of these shore birds in the area. The actual hill in Kill Devil Hills, is the sand dune from which the Wright Brothers made their 1903 flight. The dune was stabilized around 1930 by the planting of grasses that stopped the sands from shifting. During your vacation be sure to visit this hill and the famous Wright Brothers Monument that stands atop it.
Kitty Hawk (Town of Kitty Hawk)-
All tales about the origin of the name Kitty Hawk relate to language. One story says the town name originated because early settlers complained so much about "skeeter hawks" (large mosquitoes). Through time and use this term became "Kitty Hawk." Another legend traces the name back to original natives in the area. As this tale goes, natives observed the white man's year went from "kill a hauk to kill a hauk"- marking the hunting season of geese as the turning of a year. Again, this phrase evolved from "kill a hauk" to Kitty Hawk. Most scholars believe Kitty Hawk derived from the Algonquian name Chickehauk, an Indian settlement in the area of Kitty Hawk. While Kitty Hawk certainly is no longer as it was in the days of natives and settlers, the town does retain some of the charm of an older, calmer beach time - a perfect vacation spot for you to rest and relax.
Manteo (Town of Manteo)-
The town of Manteo was named in 1873 with the establishment of the first post office there. (Originally, this area of Roanoke Island was called Shallowbag Bay.) Manteo was the name of an Indian who traveled to England in 1584 with a group of explorers who were returning home. Queen Elizabeth I bestowed upon Manteo the title "Lord of Roanoke" in recognition of his help to settlers in the New World.
Nags Head (Town of Nags Head, Nags Head Fishing Pier)-
The most popular explanation for the name of Nags Head is easy to imagine. Can't you envision an old nag, with a lantern strapped around her neck, being marched up and down the dune lines at night? This moving light was supposed to resemble a ship and so lure mariners into believing they were near a safe sailing area. Of course, as the ships entered the "safe" waters, they ran aground and were wrecked (pillaged) by Bankers (island residents). Another story of the name origin tells of sailors who reported thie landscape resembled a horse's head when viewed from sea. The most likely, but least colorful, explanation of the name is that a man who purchased a large parcel of land here in 1832 named his purchase Nags Head because it reminded him of an area called Nags Head in his home country of England. For quite some time tourists referred to almost the entire Outer Banks area as Nags Head. "Going to Nags Head" may have referred to a stay in Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills. Today, Outer Banks or OBX is the more common term for our popular tourist destination. Wear your Outer Banks or OBX shirt back at home as you tell friends about your great vacation here.
Oregon Inlet (Oregon Inlet, Oregon Inlet Fishing Center)-
Oregon Inlet was formed by a major hurricane in 1849 that sliced through our barrier island. The new inlet was named for a side-wheeler paddle boat, the "Oregon," which was the first boat to travel through the newly formed inlet. Today, the channel is maintained by frequent dredging since shifting sands threaten to close it. It is crucial to the fishing industry of the Outer Banks that Oregon Inlet remains open. For a special family activity during your vacation, charter a fishing boat and go to sea through our famous Oregon Inlet.
Pea Island (Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge)-
Pea Island was originally named for wild peas that grew in the area of what used to be an island. Now, connected to the main part of our barrier chain, the protected land is a major stopover for migrating birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Be sure to have your binoculars and camera along to capture spectacular avian moments when you visit Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Roanoke Island (Roanoke Island, Roanoke Island Festival Park)-
Roanoke Island was named in the 16th century for a group of Indians who lived on the island. It is possible the Indians migrated to Roanoke Island from the north, since the word roanoke originally meant "northern people." Just as there have been different spellings of the word roanoke, there also have been different meanings. Years after the original meaning, the word came to stand for the form of money (beads made from conch shells, originally) used by the Indian group. Still later, Roanoke came to refer to the place itself- as it does still today. When you head over the high-rise bridge to spend time in the Manteo area, remember you will need to pay for food and activities with current US currency, not, as hundreds of years ago, with roanoke used by the Roanoke tribe on Roanoke Island.
Wanchese (Town of Wanchese)-
This community is located on the southern end of Roanoke Island, and today is the center of the commercial fishing industry along the Outer Banks. In the 16th century this was a seasonal fishing area for the Roanoke Indians who journeyed from the mainland and camped here for each year's fishing season. Wanchese was the last known ruler of the Roanoke natives. He was one of two Indians taken to England in 1584 as a representative of area natives in the New World.
Whalebone Junction (Whalebone Junction)-
The intersection of US 64, US 158, NC 12, the Beach Road, and Old Oregon Inlet Road became known as Whalebone Junction in the 1930s. Seeing a tourist attraction in a 72-foot whale that washed up further south during a storm, the owner of an Esso service station at "the junction" transported, cleaned, then displayed the whale skeleton. The gas station burned in the 1940s, and the whale bones were removed from the area. While we still refer to this area as Whalebone, the location of those whale bones is unknown.
Since we've shared some of the interesting information about names of towns and landmarks in our area, you may find it fun to investigate the origin of place names in your hometown. As you schedule your next Outer Banks vacation, remember Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates is also an important and well-known name in this area. We think the most interesting stories associated with our name are the ones you tell us about your vacations along our shore.
252-261-4444 / 800-JLambJR / 252-261-3270 (Fax) / info@joelambjr.com
