From an area known as Whalebone Junction at the south end of Nags Head, US-64 runs west over a causeway and bridge to Roanoke Island, site of the first English settlement in North America. The legendary “Lost Colony” was first established in 1585 by Sir Walter Raleigh, but the effort was not a success, and the survivors returned to England. In 1587, a larger expedition of 110 colonists arrived, including 17 women and nine children, but because of the difficulties involved in crossing the Atlantic Ocean, there was no further contact with England until 1590. By that time, the settlers had disappeared without a trace, which prompted numerous theories about their fate. Now, amidst an eerily dark forest, the colony’s original earthwork fortress has been excavated and reconstructed as the centerpiece of the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Exhibits inside the visitors center (daily; free; 252/473-5772) include a few rusty artifacts and dry displays explaining the historical context of the colonial effort. There are also copies of the many beautiful watercolors and drawings of native plants, animals, and people produced by the original expedition’s two immensely talented scientists, John White and Thomas Hariot.
The historic port of Manteo (pop. 1,052; MAN-tee-o), in the middle of Roanoke Island between Fort Raleigh and the beach resorts of the Outer Banks, was named for the Native American who helped Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lost Colony. Manteo is the only county seat in North Carolina that’s located on an island. You can still sense the town’s proud seagoing history as you walk along the quiet streets near the tidied-up waterfront. Surrounded by pleasure boats, the main attraction here is the Elizabeth II (daily in summer, closed Mon. rest of the year; $3), a full-sized, square-rigged replica of the type of ship that carried colonists here from England 400-odd years ago.
The Outer Banks
