You could take a vacation to Cape Hatteras several times and never experience the same trip twice, and today we want to delve into the history of our Outer Banks home, exploring the historic sites and landmarks that add to the magic of your visit. Although the area has been home to Native Americans for many centuries, its designation as a vacation destination has only been such for a little over 100 years. Either way, Cape Hatteras history is long, rich, and fascinating, with our Lighthouse View vacation rentals playing a part in its history, opening as Lighthouse View Court in 1952, a year before the Cape Hatteras National Seashore received its own designation; this guide to a historical journey on Cape Hatteras will tell this story and so many more!
Day 1: Explore the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Museum of the Sea, 46379 Lighthouse Road in Buxton
We’ve talked about the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse many times, having been built in the late 1800s and still in use today, but it is worth mentioning once more. Tours aren’t available at the time of this writing, as the tallest brick lighthouse is undergoing renovations, but the Museum of the Sea/Visitor Center located in the former keepers’ house across the lawn from the lighthouse is open and should definitely be explored.
Day 2: Discover the Story of the Cora Tree, 50175 Snug Harbor Road in Frisco
Sometimes the most fascinating parts of a vacation experience are learning the stories/tall tales/legends of the area you are visiting, and during your second day on Cape Hatteras, we are revealing the story of the Cora Tree. The mature live oak that splits Snug Harbor Road in two is rumored to be where a suspected witch, Cora, was sentenced to be burned at the stake (the stake being the Cora tree they were both tied to) all the way back in the 1700s. The legend goes into all the “work” that went into proving she was a witch, and how the tree was struck by lightning before the fire was set, and in the smoke and clouds of that lightning strike, Cora and her infant disappeared. Additionally, the letters C-O-R-A suddenly appeared in the tree and can still be seen today!
Day 3: The Wild Horses of Corolla
We put a lot of thought into whether this activity should go under historical sites or natural sites, but since the wild horses of Corolla are reputed to date back to shipwrecks in the 1500s, we decided they are a part of Cape Hatteras history, for sure. Adapting to a new diet over the centuries, the wild horses roam free on the beaches of Corolla—actually on many local beaches—but they are more prevalent in Corolla. The best way to catch sight of the beautiful animals is with a Corolla Wild Horses Tour, riding in a safari style truck and offering knowledgeable guides who tell the story of the horses and the history of Corolla and its beaches.
Day 4: A Road Trip to the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo
Preserving the location of the lost colony of Roanoke, the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is the spot known as England’s first home in the new world, and although the fort is a reproduction, its stories are authentic, fascinating, and also represented in the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama. The Elizabethan Gardens are connected to this spot as well, offering stunning and magical gardens that were designed to entertain Queen Elizabeth I while also serving as a living memorial to the time when the lost colony disappeared.
Day 5: A Visit to the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, 26345 North Carolina 12 in Rodanthe
This last adventure, a visit to the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, offers a peek into the Coast Guard, having been created to save victims of shipwrecks in 1874. Today, it is a museum containing all the original equipment used for all the years it was in business, including breeches buoy and cart and a life-car and original surfboat. The museum encompasses cook houses, stable, and a potable water beehive cistern which will fascinate visitors even more.
Day 6: Exploring your Lighthouse View Vacation Accommodations
As we mentioned in the opening paragraph, Lighthouse View plays a part in the history of Cape Hatteras, opening as Lighthouse View Court, a motel, in 1952. Although most of the original units were destroyed by Hurricane Emily in 1992, there are still some parts that remain standing, offering comfort and serenity, while also providing the thoroughly modern amenities that makes vacation life easier. Sitting on the golden sands of the Cape Hatteras beaches, our properties are sure to be your favorite part of your historical journey through the Outer Banks. Reserve your favorite North Carolina sanctuary today!
