Outer Banks Fun Facts

When visiting a destination on vacation, it is fun to know some valuable information about the area, so you can get the full experience. Many vacation destinations are rich in history and fun facts. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is no exception. Here are some interesting facts and “firsts” that are found in the Outer Banks.

Firsts

On August 18, 1587, the first child was born in the New World. Virginia Dare was born at Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island. The leader of the colony traveled to England for help and upon his return found that the colony was gone. The disappearance of the colony has remained a mystery ever since.

In 1902 the first application of radio communication was used in the Outer Banks. This application was created by Reginald Fessenden, who later established the first commercial Trans-Atlantic two-way radio-telegraph service in 1905.

Of all events, the most famous is probably Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first flight. On December 17, 1903 the Wright Brothers made the first successful motor driven flight. Now a monument is dedicated to them in the area and they can be thanked for giving birth to modern flight.

Facts

Jockey's Ridge State Park, located in Nags Head, is the home of the highest sand dune on the East Coast with peaks at more than 90 feet.

The oldest and shortest lighthouse in North Carolina is the Ocracoke Lighthouse. It's the second oldest operational lighthouse in the United States.

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which stands at 208-feet, is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States.

And here’s one that should entice sport fisherman to come to the area. Besides the Virgin Islands, the Outer Banks is the best place to catch Atlantic Blue Marlin over 1,000 pounds!

If you are interested in learning more about the Outer Banks, visit with your family. The best way to learn is to hear it from a local, and explore where these events happened first hand.