North Carolina’s Preserve America Communities
Hatteras Village and Ocracoke By Jennifer Taylor
ome of the most haunting and exciting stories come from the Outer Banks. The tales include legends of pirates, shipwrecks, hurricanes, fishing and lighthouses. Other stories that are not as well known include battles from the Civil War and the forts built on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island to protect the inlets and waterways. Since the 1960s, tourism has progressively increased with vacationers looking for isolated island havens rich with wildlife, coastal activities and history. Tourism on Ocracoke began when the ferry system was established in the 1940s. Even today, Ocracoke is only accessible by water or air. Home to the oldest lighthouse still in operation in North Carolina, vacationers are attracted to the historic British Cemetery, migratory birds, offshore fishing, stories of the dreaded pirate “Blackbeard,” and war sites. Fort Ocracoke was built during the Civil War over the original batteries constructed to protect the inlet during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The navy opened a base on Ocracoke during World War II to help protect merchant ships carrying critical war supplies from German U-boats that lurked menacingly offshore. Across the mainland are old observation towers that were built to spot planes and submarines. Due to the wars and hurricanes, over 1,000 shipwrecks lie off the coast of Ocracoke.
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Since the influx of travelers, the economy of Ocracoke has significantly changed from maritime to a concentration on tourism and historic preservation. Using the island’s heritage to attract visitors, Ocracoke is included in the Historic Albemarle Tour and is additionally recognized as a North Carolina Civil War Trail. In 1990, Ocracoke was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and most recently has been named a Preserve America community. The community is served by the Tideland Electric cooperative. Adjacent to Ocracoke is Hatteras Village located on the southernmost tip of Hatteras Island. Like Ocracoke, the economy evolved from a small fishing and shipping center to a major tourist destination. In December 1963, the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge was completed. Tourism steadily increased due to the appeal of big game fishing, waterfowl hunting and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Vacationers yearned for the quiet beaches unaware of the history that surrounded them. The community realized that their historic heritage deserved identification. In 1999, over 100 historic
resources were recognized in Hatteras Village, including historic vessels, infamous shipwrecks and two Civil War forts. New attractions to the village include the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum and a self-guided Hatteras Village tour. Derived from the name given to the fierce waters at Diamond Shoals, the museum is home to maritime relics, history on Billy Mitchell and antiques donated from village locals that have survived years of true island heritage. The museum serves as a new historical tourist highlight for the village and is located beside the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry dock. Although tourism and offshore fishing abound as the primary economic force for Hatteras Village, the community is working to promote its historical assets and generate interest in the history behind the once small commercial fishing village. The village’s ideal location and unpredictable water and weather have contributed to its history. Named a Preserve America community in June 2005, Hatteras Village is honored for its commitment to historic preservation. Its power is maintained by Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative.
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The Preserve America Program Established in 2003 by the Bush Administration, Preserve America is a White House initiative to support community efforts that preserve our nation’s heritage through the preservation of cultural and natural assets. Preserve America consists of a variety of components that include presenting Preserve America Presidential awards and establishing educational outreach programs and a matching grant program. So far, seven areas in North Carolina have been designated as Preserve America communities. They include: Thomasville, Gaston County, Gastonia, Kinston, Edenton, Ocracoke, and Hatteras Village. There are 295 designated communities in the nation. The distinction is based on the area’s use of historical assets for economic development and community revitalization. It also indicates that the community is working to preserve and use its assets as “building blocks for the future.” Gale Norton, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, stated, “Each community has its own story. These stories present opportunities—opportunities for heritage tourism, education, and historic preservation. Through Preserve America, these stories come alive.” For more information, visit www.preserveamerica.gov or call (202) 606-8503. The remaining communities recognized in North Carolina will be featured in upcoming months of Carolina Country magazine.