Ocracoke History, Cape Hatteras History, Ocracoke Island

Ocracoke History, Cape Hatteras History, prior to European settlement, Native Americans known as the "Woccocock" or "Woccon" had established fishing & hunting outposts on the island.  The island first appears on European maps in 1585 as "Wokokon".  These early tribal names are thought to be the basis for the modern name of Ocracoke although other legends abound.  European colonists began settling on the island in the 16th and 17th Centuries.

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In 1715, the North Carolinian colonial assembly passed an Act placing pilots on the island.  In 1718 Edward Teach, or Blackbeard, was caught and beheaded as he and his ship hid in waters behind the island. 

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The Ocracoke Lighthouse was constructed in 1823.  It is the oldest continually-operating lighthouse in North Carolina.

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Ocracoke had small Confederate fort during the Civil War.  It was abandoned however in 1861 when the Union troops captured Hatteras Island. 

 

In 1942 during WWII, bodies of British Sailors washed ashore from the torpedoed HMS Bedforshire.  The Community dutifully buried the sailors who now rest in peace under their Union Jack at the British Cemetery.

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In 1953, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was established on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands and began the transition from sleepy fishing village to internationally-known tourist destination for beautiful Ocracoke Island.

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Learn so much more on one of our tours!