The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-08-15
HATTERASxISLAND'S ROAD
TO SHAPE1A NEW COURSE
FOR ISLAND OF OCRACOKE
Cardinals Bermuda Now Finds New Course
of Travel and New Source of Tourist Bust
ness, Made Possible by New Highway from
Mays Head to Hatteras; Brings ManteO
Many New Visitors.

One of the most interesting
things that has come of the build
ing of a highway to Hatteras is
what this new road is doing for
Ocracoke Island. And if one has
his doubts, he has only to go to
Ocracoke Island to see for him.
self. The seven villages of Hat
teras Island are not the only ones
to benefit by this road. 1t has
opened new course of travel
to and from that island, which
is serving its people and its visi-
tors. 1t is bringing in many new
tourists. and Ocracoke is enjoy
ing its biggest tourist season.
By reason of its isolation, the
people of Ocracoke, 80 miles
across Pamlico Sound from the
mainland of Hyde County, sell
dom got to the county seat. They
were badly out of touch with
their county, and unable to par
ticipate to the fullest in public
affairs, or to share completely in
public beRefitS.
If the Ocracoker wanted to
leave home, the only outlet for
many years was a four hour trip
across rough waters to Atlantic
in Carteret County. Another
hour or two by bus before he
got to Beaufort. Then if he
wanted to go further, he had to
travel by bus to New Bern, to
Washington, and then had so
miles to go if he wanted to get
to Swan Quarter.
In the same time it used to
take to get to Beaufort, the Ocra-
coker today can catch the morn
ing mail truck to HatteraS Inlet.
get a bus to Manteo, and can
be in Norfolk in five hours; no
longer than it takes him to reach
Beaufort.
Many natives of Ocracoke are
employed in Norfolk, and other
cities to the north, so the new
way to travel is saving them a
great deal in time, money and
hardship formerly endured on
their visits back home with their
families.
Another pleasant feature about
the new avenue of travel is the
opportunity for closer community
fellowship between the people of
Ocracoke and Hatteras Island.
There has been much marrying
between the couples of the two
islands, and residents of the one
island have always been a large
part of the crews of Coast Guard
Stations on the other island.
Pa" The interests of the people of
the two islands are almost iden-
teal. They are principally fisher
men and Coast Guardsmen. The
people of both islands receive a
large part of their income from
tourists. The more than 5000 peo-
pie living on the two islands have
more in common than any other
section of our country. The two
islands have a total of rs miles
of ocean frontage. Their religious
affiliations are the same, and
they are closely related by blood
and mirage.
There is general rejoicing on
Ocracoke Island as well as Hat
teraS Island because of the new
highway advantages and the OPP
portunity to closer fellowship be-
tween OLD relatives and friends
SO long separated by the barriers
of sand and water that stood be-
tween them. This improvement
has also made possible more
complete enjoyment OF the entire
region by tourists. for many peo-
pie who come to Ocracoke Island
from the south, now come over
to Hatteras for change of hunt
ing, fishing, or sightseeing. Like
wise, are many of the people va
cationing at Hatteras going over
to Ocracoke Island to spend q
day.
The two islands present an un-
beatable combination of scenery
and charm and color so complete
ly of the sea. There are no com
binations Of islands on the At.
lantic coast that offer the visitor
so much as Ocracoke and Hat
teras. More and more Ocracoke
Islanders are seen these days al
Manteo and Mays Head than ever
before. More of our people are
going to Ocracoke, too.