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The Wreck of the Schooner Richard S. Spofford
The following story is based on the Wreck Report submitted by Keeper James W. Howard of the US Life-Saving Service about the wreck of the
The Ponder Hotel,1890
Some time ago I obtained a transcript of an 1890 advertisement on the back of the stationery for the Ocracoke Ponder Hotel (1885-1900). The hotel
Springer’s Point
Sometime between 1000 and 500 years ago, Native Americans settled in what is now eastern North Carolina, and began frequenting Ocracoke to fish and gather
The August Storm of 1899
In September, 2005, we published a Newsletter about the 1899 hurricane. I included a brief account about 17-year-old Elisha Ballance, and a report by Mr.
1978: Ocracoke Island – Sheriff Stops Nudity Arrests Awhile
The following article is from the Virginian-Pilot, Wednesday, July 12, 1978: Ocracoke Island – Sheriff Stops Nudity Arrests Awhile By Doug Gardner, Virginian-Pilot Staff Writer
A Town with No Mayor, No Jail–And Only Six Automobiles
The following newspaper clipping (from the May 3, 1942, Times-Herald of Washington, DC) was discovered in a box of papers in the home of Blanche
The Big Gut and the Little Gut
Before WWII Silver Lake Harbor was a wide, shallow tidal creek. Older islanders still refer to the harbor by its traditional name, Cockle Creek (or
Sand Barriers
On one of Amy Howard’s Ocracoke Ghost & History Walks a number of years ago she was explaining to her group that the highway from
The Ocracoke Years, May 1936-November 1938
Last year I published a short account of Ocracoke Island burials gleaned from the notes of Rev. William Crow who served as the Methodist minister
Another Story from Rev. William Crow
Rev. Crow served the Ocracoke Methodist Church in 1936-1938. Below is one of his stories: I had a lot of company when I lived on
Coins on Tombstones
Several years ago, on a busy summer day, a customer stepped up to the counter at Village Craftsmen with an unusual question. “Can you tell
Through The Years: Something of a Life Story
The following account describing life on Ocracoke in 1929 was written by Hyman Leroy Harris (1897-1995) in 1975. In the introduction, Mr. Harris expressed his
Island Burials
Earlier this summer I had the good fortune of meeting Dave Crow and his family. Dave’s father, William A. Crow, served as the pastor of
Unlocking the Mystery of an Island Ballad
Earlier this year my friend Doug asked me about the 1977 Folkways recording of Outer Banks music, “Between the Sound and the Sea.” He only
1718 Indictment of William Howard, Quartermaster
I recently received an email from historian Megan Dohm. Megan had been conducting research in the archives of Richmond, Virginia, and located the original 1718
Lost Colony Wasn’t, Old Tradition Says
The following article by Ralph Pool was published in The Virginian-Pilot, Sunday, July 3, 1960: The Lost Colony never was lost. When Governor John White
Beachcomber: The Exciting Card Game
Recently a long-time visitor to Ocracoke sent me an email. She had received an unexpected birthday gift from a friend. It was a vintage card
Give ‘im a Hair of the Dog that Bit Him
Almost any time a group of musicians gets together to play sea shanties someone will break out with “The Drunken Sailor.” It is one of
Ocracoke and the Outer Banks, 1956
The following article (author unknown, but with the explanation,“information and photos supplied by George Tichenor”) is copied from Junior Natural History magazine, February, 1956.
The Homeplace
One of the oldest houses on Ocracoke Island is tucked away at the end of an unpaved lane. You would have to be intentionally looking
The Ocracoke – Washington Freighters by Blount Rumley
The Ocracoke – Washington Freighters: The Last of an Era of Maritime Commerce (Reprinted from the Newsletter of the Historic Port of Washington Project, November
Things You Will or Won’t Find on Ocracoke
On a recent ferry ride back home to Ocracoke after a trip “up the beach” to Nags Head, my daughter Amy, our friend Jenifer Kidwell,
The 1905 Rescue of Six Mariners from the Schooner Sarah D. J. Rawson
The United States Life Saving Service was established in 1871 to come to the aid of stricken and shipwrecked sailing vessels and mariners. The Service
The Concrete Turtle
Ocracoke did not get official street names until 1999. Street signs appeared in 2005. For most of Ocracoke’s history islanders simply used landmarks or residents’
House Raising and Moving on Ocracoke Island
After the catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Dorian on September 6, 2019, at least fifty island homes, businesses, and rental cottages were demolished due to extensive
Bill Askren
“Dear Sir: A 16 oz. BOTTLE CONTAINING NOTE, DATED 12 OCTOBER. 1956 was FOUND ON THE WINDBLOWN SANDS OF OCRACOKE,,ISLAND. SOUTH OF HATTERAS & EAST
First Time Clamming – A Fond Remembrance of Lawton Howard
Just a few hours before my father’s funeral in March of 2002 I received this message from Captain Rob Temple who was unable to attend:
Hurricane Dorian and the Hunting Scene Persian Rug
My German-speaking maternal grandfather, Joszef Guth, immigrated to the United States from Hungary in 1912. He was 21 years old and had trained as a
Mr. Stacy’s Cool House
Long before the electrification of villages on the Outer Banks, islanders built small screened “houses” that they mounted on posts in their yards. Called cool
Capt. Myron A. Garrish
As early as 1785 records indicate that Ocracoke residents were concerned with education. On August 20 of that year the estate of Jobe Wahab made
The Ocracoke School Song
A few days ago, Sundae Horn, our local community librarian, sent me a copy of the sheet music for “The Ocracoke School Song.” Arnold Sundgaard
The 1837 Wreck of the Steamboat Home
The following account is taken from the book, Digging up Uncle Evans, by Philip Howard. In October of 1837 the Steamboat Home wrecked on OcracokeThe Fresnel Lens
Essay by Lachlan Howard Since its invention in 1822 by the French physicist Augustin Fresnel, the Fresnel lens has been changing the world around us.Why I Stayed
By Philip Howard September, 2018 Hurricane Florence, a Category 4 storm packing 140 mph winds, was churning away in the Atlantic. The forecast indicated she
Mrs. Godfrey’s Ghost
This story is an edited version that was originally published in the book, Digging up Uncle Evans, by Philip Howard, © 2008. I didn’t recognize
Ocracoke Street Names
Ocracoke streets did not have official names until 1999. Street signs appeared in 2005. Prior to that time the names of Ocracoke’s streets were fluid,
My First Island Patient, by Dr. Warren Silverman
In the summer of 1981 Warren Silverman, M.D. moved to Ocracoke. It had been four decades since Ocracoke had a resident doctor. Dr. Silverman’s wife,Ocracoke Lighthouse
Ocracoke’s 75’ tall white tower with a steady beam is the island’s most recognizable landmark. Built in 1823/1824 by Noah Porter of Massachusetts, the Ocracoke
The Island Inn and Lodge No. 194, Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The story of Ocracoke’s Island Inn begins with the construction of a meeting house for Lodge No. 194, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in 1901.
A History of Village Craftsmen on Ocracoke Island
Village Craftsmen…49 years offering fine quality American handcrafts on Ocracoke Island. Lawton Howard was born on Ocracoke Island October 10, 1911. When he was aQuaintest Town in America on a N.C. Island
The following article is from The Deming Headlight (Deming, New Mexico) · Fri, Oct 5, 1923. No author is cited. Although there are a few
Old Christmas in Rodanthe
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar decreed that the Roman world should adopt his new calendar. Based on the solar year, rather than lunar cycles, it
A Description of Occacock, 1795
In New Bern, North Carolina, in 1795, Francois-X Martin published an eight-page pamphlet by Jonathan Price titled A DESCRIPTION OF OCCACOCK INLET*. Jonathan Price, a
The Hurricane of 1944
Following is a transcript of a personal letter re. the 1944 hurricane on Ocracoke Island. It was written by the wife of one of the
Island Stairsteps
Instead of using the common terms “staircase” or simply “stairs,” older Ocracoke islanders are more likely to say “stairsteps.” I live in a typical small
Howard’s Pub of Ocracoke Island
In 1978 Ron Howard, direct descendant of an early colonial owner of Ocracoke Island, decided to build a pub on his property at the edge
The 1899 Wreck of the Ariosto
The following account comes from the Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 98, Number 126, December 25, 1899 (illustrations added): TWENTY-ONE OF THE CREW DROWNED British Steamship Ariosto
Rex O’Neal Gigging Flounders
This link will take you to a Coastal Voices audio of Rex O’Neal telling about the night that he fell overboard while gigging flounders off
The Story of the Mailboat Aleta
Follow this link to find out all about the Mailboat Aleta that began running trips between Atlantic and Ocracoke in 1938. PDF
Ocracoke’s Condomed Nautilus
The World Submarine Invitational 1996, a human-powered submarine race pitting design teams from around the world, was held in San Diego, California, 3-12 April 1996.
The Ocracoke Water Tank Caper
The Ocracoke Water Tank Caper….or…That’s No Swimmin’ Hole – A Dingbatter’s Tale By Michael Mincher When I was in college I was fortunate enough to
The Electrification of Ocracoke Island, 1936-2017
On March 15, 2016, Heidi Smith, Manager of Economic Development for Tideland Electric Membership Corporation, presented a history of the electrification of Ocracoke Island to
The Great Lighthouse Window Heist A First-Person Account
by Ellen Fulcher Cloud, from her book, Ocracoke Lighthouse, 1993, Chapter 6. The Ocracoke Lighthouse and the structures within the compound were on the National
The Rumgagger
For several decades Capt. Rob Temple of the Schooner Windfall II and the Skipjack Wilma Lee has been composing piratical poetry and nautical nonsense which
Cap’n Gary Bragg Still Makes Wooden Geese
By Aycock Brown (Originally published November 13, 1938) Migratory wildfowl, ducks, geese and brant will be more plentiful along the coast of North Carolina thisEarthquakes
Sometime in the late 1970s (I didn’t record the date) I was standing in my parents’ living room on the corner of Lawton Lane and
My Ocracoke: Life Amidst 250 Years of Family History
(The following article is reprinted from the Outer Banks Magazine, Volume 4, 2016.) Story by Philip Howard Photographs by Daniel Pullen At one time nearly
Ocracoke . . .The French Connection
Most people familiar with Ocracoke are aware that European settlers in the early colonial period came mostly from the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland, and
July 4th Parade, 1953
Following is an article written by Alice K. Rondthaler about one of Ocracoke’s first July 4th parades. It was published July 6, 1953. (Accompanying photos are
A History of the Life-Saving Service
from Pearson’s Magazine, 1903 by Theodore Waters “It will be the worst hurricane that swept the Cape,” said Captain Pugh of the Gull Shoal Life-SavingSambo, The Life-Saving Horse
“Sambo, the Life-Saving Horse” was written in January, 1968, by Allie (Teenie) Scott. This sweet story was never finished, but it provides a glimpse into the
Between the Sound and the Sea
March 21, 2016 Between the Sound and the Sea From 1973 to 1976 native North Carolinian Karen G. Helms (1947-2003), while earning a Master of
Beatrice Wells, Child Evangelist on Ocracoke
In the mid-1930s Pentecostal/Holiness evangelists began holding “preaching services” at the Ocracoke schoolhouse. In July, 1938, Miss Alice Austin, from Hatteras Island, and several others,Lost at Sea
Following is a partial list of Ocracoke Island natives, residents, descendants & others associated with Ocracoke who were lost at sea or drowned (from ca.
The Schooner Paragon
Job Wahab (nearly everyone called him Jobie) had the sea in his blood. Born on Ocracoke Island in 1802, he was, according to one legend,Bett’s Dream and the Wreck of the Banana Boat
Elizabeth (“Bett”) Linton (1856-1910) was born in Wysocking, Hyde County, North Carolina. She married Ocracoke native and widower, Amon Howard (ca. 1820-ca. 1885). Two years after
The Great Ocracoke Cat Hunt
This small book was written and published by former Ocracoke School teacher Mary E. Williams in 1961. It provides a glimpse into island life more
Whale and Porpoise Fishing on the Outer Banks
In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, whales and “porpoises” (actually bottle-nose dolphins)* were hunted commercially by Outer Banks fishermen. Evidence of this industry on Ocracoke
The Stovepipe Hat Wreck
My father occasionally told me the story of the mid-nineteenth century Outer Banks “stovepipe hat” shipwreck. It allegedly happened at Rodanthe before my father’s time,
Rum Running on the Outer Banks
The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on January 16, 1920. The amendment reads, in part, “After one year from the ratification
First Time Visit to Portsmouth Island, Part II
Story & Photos by Crystal Canterbury (Click here for Part I) In 1894 a United States Life Saving Station (U.S.L.S.S.) was established on Portsmouth and
First Time Visit to Portsmouth Island, Part I
Story & Photos by Crystal Canterbury Over the past four years that I’ve lived on Ocracoke, events – some planned, some not – motivated me
The Ocracoke Orgy
Not long ago I was asked to write a short article about the “Ocracoke Orgy!” Those two words conjure up widely divergent images: a quaint
The Wahabs of Ocracoke Island
Do a Google search for “Wahab,” and the Internet’s most comprehensive search engine returns more than thirteen million results. A cursory glance at the listThe 1890 Ocracoke Oyster War
The Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginca), a tasty bivalve mollusk, has been harvested in North American waters since prehistoric times. Native American shell piles in coastalMurder on Ocracoke!
Jacob Gaskill was two years old in 1787 when his father, Benjamine, died. He was sixteen when his mother, Jane Williams Gaskill, died. At ageHunting Ducks & Geese in 1910
The following reprint is an excerpt from the article, “Winter Sport in Virginia and North Carolina,” in the Book of the Royal Blue, a magazine publishedHatteras, Seat of NC State Government During the Civil War
Hatteras, a lonely outpost on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, was the seat of state government in 1861…or so thought Rev. Marble Nash Taylor
Steamships & Ocracoke
Ocracoke has been a tourist destination for much longer than most people realize. In 1795 Jonathan Price produced a map, “taken by actual survey” of
Ocracoke Crab Festival
From 1984 to 1989 the Ocracoke Civic Club Business Committee hosted an annual Ocracoke Crab Festival in early May. The Festival was a popular event
Agnes Scott of Ocracoke
Agnes Irvine Scott (1799-1877), Namesake of Agnes Scott College, Decatur, Georgia, and her Ocracoke Island Descendants Agnes Scott Garrish was just 21 years old whenCharles (Vera) Williams
No one alive knows the full story of native Ocracoke islander, Charles Irvin Williams, born 1898, the son of Tilmon L. Williams and Elizabeth Scarborough
From Philadelphia to Ocracoke, 1951
I first came to Ocracoke Island in 1945. I was almost one year old. My father was born on the island in 1911. When he
Boat Hauled Mail, More
(reprint from a February 1, 1948 article in the Raleigh News & Observer, by Charles S. Killebrew) Every morning of the year about 10 o’clock
The Telephone Comes to Ocracoke (1956)
The first residential telephone service on Ocracoke Island was established by Carolina Telephone & Telegraph Company in 1956. The charge was $5.00/month. Nearly everyone in
A Boat Ride and A Great Blue…Or, taking part in the annual Christmas Bird Count on Portsmouth Island.
By Lou Ann Homan With apples in my backpack and my camera case slung over my shoulder I step down into the boat on this
A Letter to Ocracoke, 1921
In our September, 2011 Ocracoke Newsletter, Slavery on Ocracoke (http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news092111.htm), I observed that “[s]laves on the Outer Banks, especially pilots and lighterers, were often in
The Soundfront Inn
Captain Elisha Chase, born March 13, 1790 in Swansea, Massachusetts, was descended from a long line of New England sea captains and businessmen. Elisha’s great-great-greatOcracoke Humor
Ocracoke humor runs deep in islanders’ veins. Whether on the deck of a sailing vessel, on the porch of the general store, at the Coffee
Hatteras Inlet Ferries
As many of our readers know, Ocracoke citizens have been sparring with the North Carolina legislature for more than two years regarding ferry tolls. Some
Infant & Childhood Mortality on Ocracoke
Carl Goerch, in his 1956 book, Ocracoke, has a chapter titled “Died Before He Was Born.” In his book Goerch relates the story of visiting the
July 4th Parade Photos
In 1953 Capt. Marvin Howard made a proposal at the Ocracoke Civic Club’s Spring Meeting. “Let’s have some fun,” he announced, and suggested adding a
Marvin Howard, A Life Well Lived
Captain Marvin Wyche Howard (Sept. 11, 1897 – March 26, 1969) was just a week and a half old when a tropical storm battered Ocracoke
A History of the United States Post Office at Ocracoke
Early History of Mail Delivery in the North American Colonies During the seventeenth century, colonists in North America mostly relied on private connections (ship captains,The Wreck of the Black Squall
This month’s Newsletter is the story of the Wreck of the Black Squall. This two-masted sailing vessel was carrying an exotic cargo when it struckThe Ocracoke Island Greeting
“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest
Windmills on Ocracoke
The prospect of cheap, reliable, environmentally friendly power has intrigued North Carolinians for many years. Since 2007, Duke Energy in cooperation with the University of
The Day Lindbergh Landed on Ocracoke
[The following article is from a collection of newspaper clippings saved by an island resident. I had heard this story many times. My father, cousin
Ocracoke and the War of 1812
The U.S. Coast Guard has recently expressed an interest in having the NC Department of Cultural Resources place a highway marker on Ocracoke in honor
Fences of Howard Street & Lawton Lane
For this month’s Newsletter we are going to take a stroll down Lawton Lane and Howard Street and look at the many fences around houses, yards,
Midwifery in North Carolina and on Ocracoke Island
History of Midwifery in North Carolina No doubt midwifery was practiced in North Carolina from the time of the earliest European settlers. However, it was
Hurricane Boards
The “Hurricane House” sits at the end of a sandy lane, overlooking Pamlico Sound. Built about 1900, it is a traditional “story and a jump”
Molly Lovejoy’s 2012 Valedictory Address
Ocracoke Graduating Class of 2012: (Echo Bennink, William O’Neal, Molly Lovejoy, Cassandra Hagins, Virginia Downes, Ashley Salinas-Lopez, & Leslie Espinoza) Molly Lovejoy: Following is Molly’sIsland Recipes
Every now and then I publish an island recipe on our Ocracoke Journal. In this month’s Ocracoke Newsletter I share a few more recipes taken
Project Nutmeg
Imagine Ocracoke with no paved roads, no ferry service, no visitors…and no residents. Imagine the landscape defaced with huge craters, homes and other buildings destroyed,
The Rondthalers of Ocracoke
Alice and Theodore Rondthaler had been married for a decade when Alice’s mother came from Connecticut to live with them in Clemmons, North Carolina. Mrs.
The Civil War, Ocracoke, & Josephus Daniels
On May 20, 1861 North Carolina seceded from the Union. Recognizing the importance of the Outer Banks, especially Hatteras Inlet, the most navigable inlet along
Joe Bell
While driving, biking, or walking almost anywhere along the Outer Banks from early April through December you are likely to notice clusters of brightly colored
Ocracoke and the “Lost” Colony
Although Ocracoke did not play a major role in the first attempts by the English to colonize America, Ocracoke is part of the story from
There’s Nothing Like the Glory of November on the “Banks”
By Capt. Marvin W. Howard, Ocracoke, N.C., originally published in the Coastland Times, November 12, 1954, re-published with minor editing (click on the links at
Slavery on Ocracoke
“Papa was always proud that none of his forebears owned slaves,” cousin Blanche Howard told me. “Only after he died did we discover that Daniel
North Carolina’s First Hospital
Although hospitals were well known in ancient Greece and Renaissance Europe, they were a relatively late development in the burgeoning British Colonies. The first was
Late Night Can Be Bathed in a Beautiful Light
by Lou Ann Homan-Saylor My summer life on Ocracoke is enchanting. Now that I have settled in, it feels as if this is my home,
Ode to Mrs. Godfrey
by Thomas E. MacDonald I was finally embarking on my much-anticipated vacation to my favorite destination and knew what to expect, or so I thought.
History of the Life of Frank Treat Fulcher [An Autobiography, 1965]
Born January 25, 1878, now 87 years old, who is the director of writing the Life of Old People of ocracoke Island and the Outer
A History of Ocracoke Preservation Society
For nearly 30 years Ocracoke Preservation Society has been working to preserve island culture, documents, artifacts, stories, and historic properties. The economic recession of theTraditional Ocracoke Home Remedies
(Collected by the Ocracoke High School Yearbook staff, 1972-1973, with minor editing) General Diseases Drink sulfur and molasses to keep disease away Use collard leaves
1911 Wedding on Portsmouth Island
Following is an account of a wedding that took place on Portsmouth Island nearly one hundred years ago. It is entitled “A Beautiful Church Wedding
Sam Jones, Island Legend
A small cemetery, enclosed by an unpainted, cedar picket fence, lies in the middle of the Springer’s Point Nature Preserve on Ocracoke Island. Ikey D
Doxsee clam Factory, Ocracoke island, NC
James Harvey Doxsee (1825-1907), sixth great grandson of Englishman James (“the Vicar”) Doxie, grew up on a four hundred acre farm in Islip, New York.
Ocracoke Cisterns
Prior to June of 1977 everyone living on Ocracoke Island relied on rainstorms and runoff from the roof for fresh drinking water. According to oral
The Life of Ocracoke Native, Major General Ira Thomas Wyche (1887-1981)
Upon a small sand hill, “Cedar Hammock” by name, on the north end of Ocracoke Island, the U.S. Life Saving Service established a new station
Looking for the Wahabs
by Dr. James J. Zogby © President, Arab American Institute OCRACOKE ISLAND, N.C. We are just ending a family vacation on this little island off
The Wreck of the George W. Wells, September 3, 1913
She was a beautiful sight. At 325 feet long (302 feet at the keel), 48 feet at the beam, and weighing 2,970 tons, the six-masted
Remembering Island Character Don Wood
Text & Photos by Guest Columnist Robert (Jake) Thornbury It was a dark, moist, windy morning as the four of us boarded the 38′ Polynesian
Guest Column: Schooner Windfall Sails into the Final Sunset
By Rob Temple, April, 2010 Leave her, Johnny, leave her Oh leave her, Johnny, leave her! The voyage is done and the winds don’t blow
Don Wood Thanksgiving Stories
Over the years Ocracoke has been home to many a colorful character. Don Wood (1936-1998) was one of the more interesting. Don sold a marina
Ocracats
Pat Garber has asked me to publish the following article about the abundance of feral cats on Ocracoke Island. A PLEA FOR HELP: OCRACOKE’S CAT
Early 20th Century Itinerants on Ocracoke
Most of them were just trying to pay their bills. Some were scam artists. Others were attempting to save souls. In the early twentieth century
Kelly O’Neal and the Revolution in Siam
Several months ago native islander, Leroy O’Neal, sent me a srory about his Uncle Kelly O”Neal (1911-1987) and the 1951 revolution in Siam (Thailand). Sometimes
Place Names on Ocracoke Island
In the 1970s Ronnie Midgett and his wife Diane moved to Ocracoke. Ronnie had been called as pastor of the Assembly of God church. AlthoughA Letter Concerning a Visit to Ocracoke
By C.A. Weslager* [From the NC Historical Review, July 1958: The letter below was written following a trip to Ocracoke Island in 1949. When itWind and History in the Rigging
by Philip Howard (This was originally published in The Washington Post, Thursday, April 29, 1976) OCRACOKE, N.C. The old fisherman drew alongside in his crabopt-laden
Blanche Jolliff Howard’s Ocracoke Photo Album
Several months ago I was visiting cousin Blanche and she brought out an old photo album for me to look at. I made copies ofTurtle Patrol, 2009
by Lou Ann Homan The mosquitoes are thick as I wait this early morning for Corinna to pick me up for my weekly turtle patrol
Remembering Growing up on Ocracoke, Part II
Last month I published the first half of a short journal my father, Lawton W. Howard (1911-2002), wrote shortly before his death. This month I
Remembering Growing up on Ocracoke, Part I
Many of our readers will remember my father, Lawton Wesley Howard, Sr. (1911-2002). He was quite the character, and I have written about him in
Paved Roads on Ocracoke
In 1942 the Navy paved the first road on Ocracoke Island. Islanders called it the Ammunition Dump Road. From the Navy base (which included the
Ocracoke Cemeteries and Epitaphs
As many of our readers know, it is impossible to stroll through Ocracoke village for very long without encountering a cemetery. More than eighty family
Christmas Bird Count on Portsmouth Island, 2008
Text and Photos by Lou Ann Homan It is dark and chilly in the cottage when the alarm clock goes off. It is still vacation
Live Oaks of Ocracoke, Part II
Last month we published an article about the majestic live oaks on Ocracoke Island. You can read that Newsletter here. Because several readers have asked
Ocracoke’s Artists’ colony
“Is there an artists’ colony on Ocracoke?” is a question I frequently hear. “We do have a number of talented artists and musicians,” I reply, “but,
The Ocracoke Assembly of God Church
Ocracoke’s first house of worship was the Methodist Church, established on the island in 1828. The congregation met in several different buildings over the years.
The Wreck of the Victoria S & Ocracoke’s First Automobile Accident
“Son, why don’t you come along with me,” Homer called out. Lawton was eager to join his father on beach patrol. It was exciting to
One Reason to NOT Move to Ocracoke
For years newspaper reporters, authors of magazine articles, and long-time visitors to Ocracoke have extolled the virtues of island life. People routinely mention our extensive,
A New Pitcher Pump
by Lou Ann Homan The morning started out as every other morning. Fresh home-made bread toasted and spread with peach jam, hot coffee with cream,
Lifesaving on Ocracoke Island
It was 7:00 a.m., February 17, 1885, and the A.F. Crockett, a coastal schooner, was hard ashore about ten miles southwest of the Cedar Hammock
Portsmouth Island Homecoming, 2008
Honoring the Life Savers On Saturday, April 19, more than 400 people gathered on Portsmouth Island, just across the inlet from Ocracoke. The occasion was the
Celebrating the Life of Ocracoke’s Oldest Resident, Muzel Bryant
As many of our readers know,Muzel Bryant, Ocracoke’s oldest resident, died last month at the age of 103. I was unable to attend her funeral,
Ocracoke Island Crossword
Welcome to Village Craftsmen’s first ever island crossword puzzle. I created this puzzle myself. I’d never done anything like this before. I didn’t realize that
Ocracoke in 1942
This month I provide our readers with a brief glimpse into the past with a reprint of an article published on April 11, 1942 in
The Wreck of the Ariosto
It was December of 1899. The U.S. Life Saving Station at Cedar Hammock, just a mile or so from Hatteras Inlet, on the north endThe Old Howard Cemetery
Recently a former resident of Ocracoke asked me if I would write a newsletter about the old Howard cemetery on British Cemetery Road. I immediately
Blackbeard
Hardly anyone who has visited Ocracoke hasn’t heard about Blackbeard, the fiercest seafarer ever to fly the black flag of piracy. The basic story is
Clamming with Morty
by Lou Ann Homan The sky is brilliant blue with not even a trace of a cloud as I set out on my bike. The
Captain Joe Burrus
The most recognizable symbol of Ocracoke Island is the lighthouse. This simple 75 foot tall white tower with a steady beam has been guiding marinersThe “Black Squall”
Last week the children at the Ocracoke Youth Center were having “Circus Week.” The director, Karen Lovejoy, asked me to stop by one morning toThe Ocrafolk School
Ocracoke will host an exciting new island venture this year, the OcraFolk School. The school will feature a one week long session of classes andThe Aleta Carries Anything
Getting to Ocracoke in the 1940s and early 1950s was an exciting adventure. This was before the road to Hatteras was built, and before theReplacing Ocracoke’s Seven Bridges
North Carolina Highway 12 crosses seven tidal creeks on Ocracoke Island. From south to north they are Island Creek (near Hammock Hills nature trail andA Traditional Island Whistle
As in most small rural villages and towns across America, Ocracoke children of several generations ago played with a variety of homemade toys, and enjoyed
Death & Dying on Ocracoke
Ocracoke village comprises little more than 600 acres of buildable land, with about 750 residents. In spite of the small & circumscribed land mass, andOcracoke’s Last Fish House
Last winter, after many years of a unique and historic maritime heritage, Ocracoke was threatened with permanent closure of the island’s last remaining fish house.
Dory Fishing Off the Beach
By Jamie Tunnell (This article was originally published in the December, 2006 issue of the Ocracoke Observer.) Generations of watermen have haul-seined off Ocracoke forMaps of the Outer Banks
Last month a visitor to the Ocracoke Preservation Society museum wondered aloud about the name “Portsmouth Island.” As many of our readers know, Portsmouth lies
The Community Store
Modern-day visitors to Ocracoke Island typically imagine that the small village of several hundred homes clustered around strikingly charming Silver Lake harbor has always been
Howard Street
Ocracoke’s first residents were Native Americans, members of the Wocon tribe. Some of the earliest recorded names for the island (Wococon, Wokokon) reflect this history.
Tokens of Death
“A token of death,” an Ocracoker might exclaim, on hearing that a neighbor or family member had a disturbing dream. Perhaps the dreamer watched anotherOcracoke and the War of 1812
A part of Ocracoke’s history little remarked on is the War of 1812. In fact this is sometimes referred to as America’s “forgotten war.” In
Old Kade
Ocracoke Island is a magical place with a host of interesting characters. It has always been so. John Williams, III was born on Ocracoke in
Quilting on Ocracoke
Quilting ranks among Ocracoke Island’s traditional crafts. In times past most island homes included a quilting frame, and Ocracoke women spent many an evening in
Seafarers of Ocracoke Island
Historic Ocracoke is most commonly referred to as a traditional fishing village. Although this is partially true, it overlooks an important aspect of the island’sI Believe in Potlucks
Recently eastern North Carolina’s National Public Radio station has been sponsoring a segment entitled “This I Believe.” They regularly air a thoughtful essay written andOcracoke Street Names, Part II
Last month I took the opportunity to share some island history by explaining how several of Ocracoke’s street names came to be. Other names areOcracoke Street Names, Part I
Ocracoke Island has only had official street names for a few years; and street signs for just several months. Not so long ago folks fromGeorge & Jule
Last week one of Ocracoke’s native sons, George Guthrie Jackson, died after a long illness. George was descended from one of the island’s very firstAugust Storm of 1899
In an August journal entry Dale mentioned the Outer Banks’ “Old August Storm” of 1899, and said that I would publish more about that hurricane
The Old Toothbrush Man
Although medical care was spotty on Ocracoke in the late 19th & early 20th centuries, professional dental care was non-existent. Toothbrushes as we know themKunigunde Guth Howard
In a past newsletter I documented a number of island residents’ unusual first names — names such as Epherena, Emelis, Leevella, Hiteous, and Maltby. Now
Ocracoke Native Charlie Morris O’Neal
Ocracoke native Charlie Morris O’Neal was born October 21, 1921. He died March 27, 2005. His family asked me to deliver the eulogy at theWinter Construction on Ocracoke
There has been quite a bit of construction taking place on Ocracoke this winter. Sometimes folks shudder to think about new building, but it’s notDey Jimminy Criminy
Michael Judge in his recent book, The Dance of Time, has this to say about February: “Although mighty Orion still commands the southern sky, Leo
Lawton Howard (October 10, 1911 – March 23, 2002)
As Lawton always liked to tell it, he was the tenth child, born at ten minutes after ten o’clock, on the tenth day of theHomer & Aliph Howard Home
Ocracoke Island, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, was first settled by Europeans in the mid 1700’s. In 1759, at nearly 60 years old,Christmas on the Island
Ocracoke Christmases in the twenty-first century are a combination of traditional and modern elements. Each season sees an increase in lighted decorations. Some folks, especiallyWreck of the Steamboat “Home” Part II
Following is Part II of the gripping & dramatic story of a 19th century tragedy, one of the greatest sea disasters in the history ofWreck of the Steamboat “Home” Part I
Following is the gripping & dramatic story of a 19th century tragedy, one of the greatest sea disasters in the history of the North CarolinaBuilding an Ocracoke bird trap
Like most small villages, towns, and neighborhoods with a sense of community, Ocracoke has many local traditions. Island children, until recently, had their own traditionsHistory of the Ocracoke Lighthouse
Ocracoke’s 75′ tall white tower with a steady beacon is the island’s most prominent landmark. Built in 1823 by Noah Porter of Massachusetts for $11,359.35Legends of Blackbeard’s Skull
Island Greetings! This month I share with you the fascinating story of the search for Blackbeard’s skull. But first, two brief comments. Several people haveStorms & Shipwrecks
Ocracoke Island has been the final resting place for many an ill-fated vessel caught in a storm off our coast. Shipwrecks of note include theOcracoke & Aviation, including new air service to the island
Powered, controlled flight and the Outer Banks, especially Kitty Hawk, NC, will be forever linked in our minds. The Wright Brothers never set foot onMuzel Bryant’s 100th birthday
On Friday, March 12, 2004 Ocracoke native, Muzel Bryant, had her 100th birthday. The next day approximately 200 people came to the school gymnasium forFat Tuesday on Ocracoke
After a cold and stormy winter, it finally feels as if spring is just around the corner. One sure sign of the impending warmer weatherQuiet winter, and more about the Homer & Aliph Howard Home
Winter Greetings & Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Village Craftsmen! Congratulations are in order for several Village Craftsmen employees: — Mary Brown,Winter Storms, Moving of the Assembly of God Church, Homer & Aliph Howard Home
Winter Greetings from Ocracoke Island! As you might imagine, Ocracoke is quiet this time of year. The winter holidays are behind us, most island businessesHistory of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church, Part II
For a number of years tiny Ocracoke Island was home to two congregations of the Methodist Church. During the latter part of the nineteenth centuryHistory of the Ocracoke United Methodist Church, Part I
The first record of a church on Ocracoke Island is in 1828 when the Ocracoke-Portsmouth Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church was established. In October,Hurricane Isabel
September 15, 2003 – September 23, 2003 Monday, September 15, 2003 Although no one can confidently predict the course of Hurricane Isabel at this time,Meal Wine & Drunk Pig
Here is a traditional island recipe. Take four pounds of corn meal, five pounds of sugar, four gallons of water, three or four packages ofOld names for Ocracoke Island, 1795 Map & Description
Greetings from Wococon Island! One of the more common questions visitors to Ocracoke ask is “What is the origin of the name ‘Ocracoke?'” In spiteSigma Willis Scholarship Fund, Adopt-a-Pony Program
July Greetings from Ocracoke! Ocracoke Island, as many of you know, is not simply a tourist resort. It is a thriving community with a historyElnora Ballance, an Ocracoke Murder, Family Tragedy, and Major General Ira Wyche
Visitors to Ocracoke Island are often fascinated by the many family graveyards scattered throughout the village. In fact, at least 82 small cemeteries can beAunt Sal Stanford
© Philip Howard, 2003 Walking through island graveyards can lead to unexpected discoveries. For instance, a quiet stroll through the old Howard cemetery on BritishHistory of Springer’s Point
The Ghosts of Springer’s Point © Philip Howard, 2003 With 42 acres of maritime forest, Springer’s Point remains one of the last undeveloped treasures inOcracoke Music, Island Path Summer Workshops
Welcome to yet another Ocracoke Newsletter from Village Craftsmen. The weather is warming up and we are looking forward to the beginning of a new
Blizzard of 2003
Today all of Eastern North Carolina, and especially the Outer Banks, experienced one of the largest snowfalls in recent history. Not since 1980 had Ocracoke
Ocracoke Holiday Traditions
Happy Holidays to all of our friends! Ocracoke Lighthouse in a Winter Snow, 2002 As the depth of winter envelopes us we often come togetherWintertime Activities, Howard Family Reunion
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Village Craftsmen! Last month I reported that one of the most common questions summer visitors ask us is,Funny comments and questions
Fall Greetings from Ocracoke Island! Perhaps it is because Ocracoke is so isolated, accessible only by boat or small plane, that throughout the summer monthsTropical Storm Gustav
Greetings! On Tuesday, September 10 tropical storm Gustav visited Ocracoke. The winds were moderate (probably no gustier than 60 mph), but the trajectory of theRainbow, Waterspout, & “Old Diver”
September Greetings from Ocracoke Island! We recently received the following email from one of our island visitors, Patrick Crockett: “I thought you folks might beJuly 4 Parade, New Books, Old Coins
Summer greetings from Ocracoke! As usual, the island community came together for a creative, whacky, fun-filled July 4th celebration last month. The highlight of the
Marsh Fire & Seafaring Adventures of Frank Treat Fulcher
Welcome back to another edition of our island newsletter! Some of you may have heard about the fire scare we had last month. A bottleAmy & David, Ocrafolk Festival 2002, Portsmouth Island, M/V Silver Lake
Summertime greetings from Ocracoke Island! For those of you who haven’t been to the island recently, this month we share with you news about someOcracoke Ponies and Outstanding Horsemen
Spring greetings from Ocracoke Island! As warmer weather approaches, we are beginning to see many familiar faces returning to the island for rest and rejuvenation.Amtrak service to Ocracoke?!?
Welcome to another addition to our on-line Ocracoke Newsletter! This month we bring you exciting news from the island. For all of you who worryScalloping in Pamlico Sound
Welcome to another edition of our on-line newsletter! Those of you who visit Ocracoke in the off-season may have noticed broken shells on Highway 12,Auction raises $3,600 & the Schooner Windfall
Welcome to another edition of Village Craftsmen’s on-line newsletter! For those of you who missed last month’s posting you might want to see some of
Winter Snow
Islanders woke up this morning to 3-4 inches of heavy, wet snow blanketing the village. Ocracoke hadn’t had a real snowfall for over a decade.Ocracoke Christmas Traditions, Solstice Party
Wintertime greetings to Friends of Ocracoke Island! We hope you are enjoying a joyous holiday season and we wish for you happiness and the bestOcracoke Thanksgiving, Brief History of Ocracoke Island
Fall Greetings from all of us at Village Craftsmen! We hope all of you had a Thanksgiving holiday filled with many blessings. In spite ofHumorous stories about Lawton Howard, 90 year old O’cocker
Welcome back to another edition of our on-line newsletter. This month I share with you some amusing stories about my father, Lawton, who just celebratedClamming & Clam Chowder recipe
Fall Greetings from all of us at Village Craftsmen! The world and our country have changed drastically since our last newsletter was published. The peopleRoy Parsons, Ocracoke & Philadelphia, “Old Drum” recipe
September Greetings from Ocracoke Island! Many of you have had an opportunity to visit us this summer, some are planning an upcoming Fall vacation, andFruits & vegetables from the sea, and the “Pioneer”
This past winter as I was walking along the beach with my hat pulled down over my ears and my collar turned up against the“I’ve done promised Freener” & Island Names
Summer is upon us and soon it will be Independence Day. If you will be on the island July 4 be sure to check theBlue Jays, Tree Frogs, House Movings & The Island Inn
Warm greetings from Ocracoke Island! Summer is just around the corner and, as you can see from the photos below, Ocracoke Village is bursting forthFannie Pearl MacWilliams Wahab
Greetings from Ocracoke Island! Ocracoke, like most isolated areas, has its share of supernatural stories. The following was told to me by Larry Williams. ITreasures from the sea, Community Litter Pickup, Ocracoke Fig Cake
Spring greetings from Ocracoke Island! This afternoon as I write, Ocracoke is quiet and subdued. Clouds and gentle rain have settled over the island andCommunity Store, Mail Boat, New Items, Arts Fair & OcraFolk Festival
Hello again from Ocracoke Island! Community Gatherings: Sunday was “Customer Appreciation Day” at the Community Store. Ricky and Gaynelle Tillett staged a big sale, freeWinter Activities, Lawton Howard
Warm greetings from the folks at Village Craftsmen! Winter is one of our favorite times on Ocracoke. The weather may be chilly (this winter hasCormorants, Geese, Dolphins, Whales, & Christmas on Ocracoke
Winter is a time for walking on the beach. Sometimes it is cold and windy, but the island is quiet this season of the year,Guest Columnist, Leon
Well hey! Leon here– For those of you who don’t know me (can’t imagine that!) I’m the very handsome black & white cat that livesBon Appetite, Uncle Homer, Employee Lounge
Last month I shared with you a short story about Julius Bryant and one of his floundering adventures in the mid-50’s. Below is a moreFloundering & Stories
August is nearly gone and Labor Day is fast approaching. Summertime on Ocracoke has been pleasant this year. There have been many people here andOcracoke July 4 Celebration
Already it is nearing the end of July! Summertime, of course, brings many people to Ocracoke for swimming, fishing, boating and just plain relaxing. In
Ocrafolk Festival, Sewing & Quilts
The first annual “Ocracoke Festival of Story and Song,” held on Saturday, June 10, was a big success! Many outstanding musicians were featured including Ocracoke’sOcracoke Dance, Howard Street Arts and Crafts Fair, Clay Walthall
Welcome to our special page where we share news and information about Ocracoke Village, Ocracoke Island and Village Craftsmen. On Thursday, May 25, the HydePortsmouth Island, Guestbook, Photography Exhibit
Welcome to the latest edition of our Ocracoke Newsletter. Portsmouth Island: Just across Ocracoke Inlet, to the south, lies Portsmouth Island. Path from Haulover DockRound Creek, Down Point, and Up Trent
Welcome to our Ocracoke Island newsletter! Howard Street Sit back, relax and let your mind take a stroll down Howard Street. Today is a rainy,Old Quork, Molasses Creek on A Prairie Home Companion, Pottery by Elaine
Greetings again from the folks at Village Craftsmen! Spring is definitely in the air. It is time for repairing and painting boats, opening of shopsNew Fig sprouts, Muzel Bryant, Molasses Creek
Spring is definitely on its way as evidenced by the many daffodils blooming throughout the village. Another sign of warmer weather is the new growthDialect, Scotch Bonnet, Joe Bell
These past two weeks have been delightful. Saturday, Feb 26 was the perfect beach day–warm, sunny and calm. It was so perfect I just hadRondthaler House, Ocracoke Room at Wesley Hospitality House
This past weekend witnessed a small increase in island visitors because of the official observance of George Washington’s birthday on Monday. To put our recentDolphins, Ocracoke Square Dance, Dialect, Shipwreck “Nelly Potter”
Greetings from Ocracoke Island. It is still winter, of course, but we’ve had several days of balmy, almost Spring-like weather. Then it turned a bitHurricanes Dennis and Floyd, Ocracoke Dialect
Whether you are a first-time visitor to this site or becoming a regular, welcome to our Ocracoke Island Newsletter. Many of you have asked howOcraFolk Festival, Highway 12, off-season activities
The first annual OcraFolk Festival of story and song will be held on June 10, 2000. If you are planning a summer visit to the