Although Dare County was formed in 1870 from Currituck, Tyrrell, and Hyde counties, its history goes back to 1585 when England made its first attempt to permanently settle in the New World on Roanoke Island. Dare County is named in honor of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. Ananias Dare and his wife, Eleanor White, welcomed Virginia into this new English settlement on August 18, 1587. What became of them and their fellow colonists is unknown and the settlement became known as the “Lost Colony”.

  

Dare County consists of Bodie, Hatteras, and Roanoke Islands and a portion of the northeastern North Carolina mainland. Manteo on Roanoke Island is the County seat. The town of Manteo and the village of Wanchese, both on Roanoke Island, are named for American Indians who were taken back to England to become liaisons between the Roanoke Colony settlers and the Indians.

In 1663, King Charles II of England granted land to eight noblemen who had helped him regain the throne. They became governing Lords Proprietors of Carolina which included territory from the Virginia line to the northern boundary of the Spanish colony of Florida. Colington Island, west of the Town of Kill Devil Hills in Dare County, was named in honor of Sir John Colleton, one of the original Lords Proprietors.

 

Explore and enjoy Dare County’s natural resources and rich history including over 100 miles of beaches, Jockey’s Ridge (the largest natural sand dune on the East Coast), the Wright Brothers’ historic December 17, 1903 first successful, sustained, powered flight in a heavier-than-air machine, shipwrecks, pirates including Blackbeard, lighthouses and life-saving stations, and maritime and military history.

 

For a complete listing of area attractions, and events, visit www.outerbanks.org.