(with apologies to Douglas Adams… it really is one of my favorite books)
We have been visiting Ocracoke Island in North Carolina since the early eighties with family or alone. But, the trip this year was different. We came with friends who have never been on the Island, so I got to play Tour Guide. I tossed several of links into the post so you can learn more and dazzle/ bore others with your brilliance.
Rambling through the Village
Historic Buildings
Former Coast Guard Building
Side notes: 1) The ferry station from the mainland is just to the left of the building; the cars are lined up for ther ferry. 2) It must be great to be a teacher and come to the village, with its 700+ permanent inhabitants. Teachers participate in small group sessions. These sessions provide “teachers with knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices, and information to take back to their classrooms.”
Ocracoke Preservation Museum
Located in a 1900-era house, the museum provides a view of life in earlier times on the island. Unfortunately, during the off-season, the museum is only open on the weekend and we were there on a weekday. So, some views from outside:
Fresh Water
Ocracoke Island is 23 miles from the mainland and, until 1977, the village had no “city water.” Island residents collected rainwater in cisterns or drew their own well water.
Now, most village water comes the Ocracoke Sanitary District, also known as the Water Plant. The plant began running in 1977 and was the first “reverse osmosis” plant in North Carolina. Essentially, reverse osmosis removes the salt from sea water and makes it into “fresh water.” A perfect solution for a small island surrounded by salt water.
Places of Rest
The island has several small cemeteries, one of which is fairly famous.
A little ways off the main road running through the Village, is 234 British Cemetery Rd.
On May 11, 1942, a German submarine torpedoed a British armed trawler off Ocracoke Island. The trawler was the HMT Bedfordshire, which was on loan to the US Navy. All 37 members of the British and Canadian Royal Navies aboard were killed. Only four bodies were ever recovered when they washed ashore on Ocracoke Island. They are buried in a small plot of land donated by Ocracokers. The site flies the flag of the United Kingdom. It is recognized as being “forever England.”
“On May 11, 1942, the Bedfordshire was torpedoed and sunk by a German sub. All hands were lost and these four were the only bodies recovered.”
“The cemetery maintained by Ocracoke Coast Guard Station personnel.”
Adjacent to the British cemetery are several private cemeteries for Ocracoke families.
Official Tour Date: April 9, 2025
Watch for Parts 2 & 3 coming soon!
View all my Outer Banks posts through the years, 1983-2025!
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Thanks for visiting.
April 16, 2025
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