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The Outer Banks has a rich history. Use our "Historical Marker Index Guide" to find the location of historic markers on the OBX.
ID B-4
On December 17, 1903, from site near foot of Kill Devil Hill, Orville and Wilbur Wright made first successful powered flight 1/5 mile west.
Location:
US 158 in Kill Devil Hills
Inventor, Pioneer in radio communication, conducted wireless experiments, 1901-02, from a station, 600 yds. S.W.
Location:
US 64 Bypass south of Manteo
Granted to Sir John Colleton, Sept. 8, 1663. Colonized in 1665 by a company under Peter Carteret. Two miles W.
Location:
NC 12 in Kill Devil Hills
"Graveyard of Atlantic." German submarines sank over 100 ships here, 1941-42, in the "Battle of Torpedo Junction." Shoals are 3 mi. south.
Location:
NC 12 at Buxton
From near here in 1902 R. A. Fessenden sent the first musical notes ever relayed by radio waves. Received 48 miles north.
Location:
NC 12 at Buxton
Tallest brick lighthouse in nation at 208 feet. Constructed, 1869-1870, to mark Diamond Shoals. Replaced 1802 structure.
Location:
NC 12 at Buxton
Roanoke voyages, 1585-1590, based operations at inlet near here. Long closed, it was named for pilot Simon Fernandes.
Location:
NC 12 north of Bonner bridge near Bodie Island Lighthouse
Constructed 1855-59 by steam dredges to assist commerce. Now part of Intracoastal Waterway. N.C. Cut 5 miles long.
Location:
US 158 at Coinjock
U.S.S. "Huron" ran ashore with loss of ninety-eight lives.
Location:
US 158 Business at Bladen Street in Nags Head
Sound in Currituck County, was initially surveyed and recorded in July 1972 by Dr. David S. Phelps, East Carolina University archaeologist. The most important cultural features discovered at the Baum site were three Colington phase ossuary burials. At least two other ossuaries (mass burials) are known to have eroded out of the beach in recent years. The Colington phase is equated with the Carolina Algonkian culture found in the area by the first English explorers. 499-0 BC, 499-0 AD, 1000-500 AD, 1850-1874, 1875-1899
Location:
On Currituck Sound in Currituck County
Correctional Facility, Post Office Currituck has been the county government seat since 1723. The core of the present courthouse to the right and jail in front of you were here when the Civil War began. On March 31, 1862, the “Currituck Light Cavalry” began enlisting on the grounds under Capt. Demosthenes Bell.The company was assigned as Co. G to Col. Dennis D. Ferebee’s 4th North Carolina Cavalry, 59th Regiment North Carolina State Troops.1825-1849, 1850-1874
Location:
Courthouse Road (North Carolina Route 1242) near Caratoke Highway (North Carolina Route 168)
The Currituck Shooting Club, originally built in 1857, was the first grand sportsman's club. Rebuilt in 1879
Location:
620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC
WRIGHT BROTHERS
ID B-4
On December 17, 1903, from site near foot of Kill Devil Hill, Orville and Wilbur Wright made first successful powered flight 1/5 mile west.
Location:
US 158 in Kill Devil Hills
R. A. FESSENDEN
ID B-26Inventor, Pioneer in radio communication, conducted wireless experiments, 1901-02, from a station, 600 yds. S.W.
Location:
US 64 Bypass south of Manteo
COLINGTON ISLAND
ID B-37Granted to Sir John Colleton, Sept. 8, 1663. Colonized in 1665 by a company under Peter Carteret. Two miles W.
Location:
NC 12 in Kill Devil Hills
DIAMOND SHOALS
ID B-41"Graveyard of Atlantic." German submarines sank over 100 ships here, 1941-42, in the "Battle of Torpedo Junction." Shoals are 3 mi. south.
Location:
NC 12 at Buxton
RADIO MILESTONE
ID B-53From near here in 1902 R. A. Fessenden sent the first musical notes ever relayed by radio waves. Received 48 miles north.
Location:
NC 12 at Buxton
CAPE HATTERAS LIGHTHOUSE
ID B-54Tallest brick lighthouse in nation at 208 feet. Constructed, 1869-1870, to mark Diamond Shoals. Replaced 1802 structure.
Location:
NC 12 at Buxton
PORT FERDINANDO
ID B-60Roanoke voyages, 1585-1590, based operations at inlet near here. Long closed, it was named for pilot Simon Fernandes.
Location:
NC 12 north of Bonner bridge near Bodie Island Lighthouse
ALBEMARLE AND CHESAPEAKE CANAL
ID A-76Constructed 1855-59 by steam dredges to assist commerce. Now part of Intracoastal Waterway. N.C. Cut 5 miles long.
Location:
US 158 at Coinjock
WRECK OF THE METROPOLIS
ID B-31U.S.S. "Huron" ran ashore with loss of ninety-eight lives.
Location:
US 158 Business at Bladen Street in Nags Head
THE BAUM SITE
ID (3lCk9)Sound in Currituck County, was initially surveyed and recorded in July 1972 by Dr. David S. Phelps, East Carolina University archaeologist. The most important cultural features discovered at the Baum site were three Colington phase ossuary burials. At least two other ossuaries (mass burials) are known to have eroded out of the beach in recent years. The Colington phase is equated with the Carolina Algonkian culture found in the area by the first English explorers. 499-0 BC, 499-0 AD, 1000-500 AD, 1850-1874, 1875-1899
Location:
On Currituck Sound in Currituck County
CURRITUCK COUNTY JAIL
ID SR 1242Correctional Facility, Post Office Currituck has been the county government seat since 1723. The core of the present courthouse to the right and jail in front of you were here when the Civil War began. On March 31, 1862, the “Currituck Light Cavalry” began enlisting on the grounds under Capt. Demosthenes Bell.The company was assigned as Co. G to Col. Dennis D. Ferebee’s 4th North Carolina Cavalry, 59th Regiment North Carolina State Troops.1825-1849, 1850-1874
Location:
Courthouse Road (North Carolina Route 1242) near Caratoke Highway (North Carolina Route 168)
CURRITUCK SHOOTING CLUB
ID Building - #80002816The Currituck Shooting Club, originally built in 1857, was the first grand sportsman's club. Rebuilt in 1879
Location:
620 Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC