20 Interesting Outer Banks Facts

Outer Banks is one of our favorite family destinations in the US. But it’s even interesting to know some Outer Banks fun facts before you visit. Read things to do in Outer Banks to plan your trip.

Did you know that there is a piece of British soil in the Outer Banks? Did you know a lighthouse was moved 2900 feet from its current location over 23 days?

So read on to know the answers to these questions and many more OBX fun facts.

So we have rounded up some Outer Banks NC facts that will amaze both kids and adults. The Outer Banks facts will definitely add to your knowledge about these beautiful barrier islands.

Read Later: Best Places to Visit on the East Coast USA

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Fun Facts about the Outer Banks

Let’s get to know about the lesser-known facts about Outer Banks before planning a visit to OBX. An important part of planning is to book the hotel well in advance.

1. Did you know Outer Banks is the Home of the First Flight?

Yes, aviation history was written here when the first flight was taken by the Wright Brothers – Orville and Wilbur in the town of Kitty Hawk in 1903. Visiting the Wright Brothers Memorial and walking over the historic Actual flight strip is an experience. They have recreated the camp buildings where they lived and worked on their dream.

There is a museum as well which houses a replica of the Wright brother’s 1903 flyer. The museum can be even visited on a rainy day. In fact, there are many other fun Outer Banks Indoor activities for rainy/cold days.

Where to stay in Outer Banks: Choose from the Best Outer Banks Hotels

2. Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the US and the second tallest in the world. Learn more about the lighthouses in the Outer Banks.

3. Another interesting fact about Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is that it was moved 2900 feet from the shore to its current location in 1999 to prevent beach erosion. It took 23 days to move the 4830-ton structure along. It was achieved by adding a steel mat below the structure and using hydraulic jacks to lift it and put rollers under it.

4. Cape Hatteras National Seashore is the first national seashore in the US established in 1953 to prevent the habitat And use by the public for recreational purposes.

Suggested Read: Hand-picked Airbnb Outer Banks Vacation Rentals

5. Do you know the first English settlement disappeared mysteriously?

Roanoke Island is the place where the first English settlement moved in 1585.

6. The first English child born in the New World was born in the Outer Banks at Roanoke Island. She was named Virginia Dare, born way back in 1597. Dare County gets its name from Virginia Dare.

7. The colonists mysteriously disappeared in 1590, leaving behind only two clues: the words “Croatoan” carved into a fort’s gatepost and “Cro” etched into a tree. To date, the mystery remains unsolved and is intriguing to historians.

8. The Lost Colony in Roanoke is the longest-running symphonic drama in the world. Telling the history and the mystery of how the first English settlement in North America mysteriously disappeared.

9. Do you know Outer Banks has the tallest sand dunes?

Outer Banks has the tallest Sand Dunes on the East Coast at Jockey Ridge State Park with peak dunes at 90 feet as well. It is a popular spot for hand gliding and sand skiers. It is the best place to watch the sunset in OBX.

10. In fact, Outer Banks itself is actually a sandbar and not anchored to anything. It is shifting with every year.

11. The wild horses that throng the Corolla beaches are descendants of Spanish Mustangs. These Spanish Mustangs are even the State Horses of North Carolina.

Read More: Best Beaches on the East Coast for Families

12. The Whalehead Club, located near Currituck Lighthouse, is a beautiful 21,000 sq feet mansion. This National Historic Site was used as a bunker by the US Coast Guard during World War II and even used as a rocket fuel testing site.

13. Originally named The Lighthouse Club, it was renamed to The Whalehead Club later when whalebone was found on the property.

14. Do you know there is a piece of British soil in the Outer Banks?

How is that possible?

In Ocracoke, there is a British Cemetery where 4 British seamen whose bodies were washed away when their ship sank are buried. Even the Union Jack flies in the cemetery.

In fact, every year a memorial service happens in the presence of British and American armed forces.

Also Read: Ocracoke Island in North Carolina

15. Ocracoke Lighthouse, on Ocracoke Island is the oldest and shortest lighthouse in North Carolina.

16. Ocracoke Lighthouse is the second oldest operational lighthouse in the US.

17. Do you know there is the Graveyard of the Atlantic?

Oh, it’s spooky!

Off the coast of the Outer Banks, due to the treacherous waters, storms, and shoals many ships got sunk in this coastal area. There have been a whopping 5000 shipwrecks in these waters since it was recorded hence getting this name of Graveyard.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Cape Hatteras throws light into the history, events, and exhibits of the early days of sea exploration.

18. U.S. Lifesaving Service began in 1874 in Outer Banks by establishing Lifesaving stations across the island. Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station Historic Site is one of the first lifesaving stations formed. Located in Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, it is a museum now exhibiting all the equipment used for life-saving.

19. Did you know a new island spurted in the Outer Banks?

Isn’t that amazing?

In 2017, a new 1-mile-long sandy island spurted by the tip of Cape Point in Buxton. This sandbank was named Shelly Island as there were a lot of shells on the sand. But after Hurricane Maria in 2018, the island disappeared.

20. For all those binge-watchers, there is a teen mystery series on Netflix named ‘Outer Banks’, the story of boys who go to Outer Banks to solve a mystery. Get

Wasn’t reading these facts about Outer Banks fascinating? It was captivating reading and listening to the stories about these places and events. Did you get to know some new Outer Banks North Carolina fun facts?

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