The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-02-18
By VICTOR MEEKINS

OiIIy SNORT VlSlt 10 Ocracoke
| is all that is necessary to deter
mine that Ocracoke Island is
headed for a great boom and a
new prosperity with soothing
shekels to reach throughout the
community. 1t is apparent that
the public spirited people of this
island are gratified at the recent
pledges of support that have come
from the north and the south,
given by neighbor counties in be-
half of projects recently under
taken.
Not only are the people pleased
with support offered from both
Dare and Carteret County inter-
ests, but more particularly be-
cause there has been revival of
interest in their behalf on the part
of Hyde County officials, who al
so see that the island offers pos
sibilities for development that
will be of worth to all the county
and all the people.
In recent years has Ocracoke
Island become frustrated and dis
couraged by the long delay in
trafficking with the county seat,
caused either by a rough trip
across the broad waters of Pam
leo Sound, or a long journey
around through several counties
to the south. While holding strong
affection with the rest of Hyde,
some of the citizens in their dis
enlargement have advocated re-
moving either to Carteret of
which the island was once a part,
or to Dare, their neighbor to the
north where a modern road reach
es to the tip of Hatteras Island,
just across the Inlet from Ocra-
coke Island.
The dilemma has retarded prog
ress and development for many
years, to the chagrin of Ocra-
cookers, as well as the people of
the mainland who wanted to help.
1t was not easy to do much for
Ocracoke because it was so far
away, nor was it easy for Ocra-
cokers to make their way to the
county seat to make known their
needs and wants.
Travel first began to develop
toward Carteret County, where
the mail and passenger traffic
landed at Atlantic. This traffic
has been developing for many
years while traffic directly across
the sound has almost ceased. Fol-
lowing establishment of a bus line
between Manteo and Hatteras
considerable traffic has developed
over this route between north and
south, until now an automobile
ferry operates across the inlet,
and business has grown sufficient
ly to demand a good road and toll
free ferry service.
And up to this point sentiment
began shaping up, first with one
group and another, to join either
Carteret or Dare County, in order
to give Ocracokers easier access
to county seat and public officials.
1t was a cry born of desperation
and Illustration. But always there
remained a group strongly loyal
to the county, and reluctant to
sever any sort of ties that bound
them to old political friends, and
old relatives.
In response to this varying
sentiment, and frequent appeals
on the part of citizens now and
then to officials of both Carteret
and Dare, to determine the senti-
ment of these counties toward
Ocracoke, there came forth It'd
ings of a most welcome nature.
For some months business and
civic interests of Carteret have APP
pealed to Ocracokers for their in
terests, their business and good
will, and have pledged unqualified
support toward Ocracoke for their
projects.
Dare County Commissioners,
while assuring the Ocracoke peo-
pie of their good will and spirit Of
welcome in event they should wish
to join Dare County, declared
that in no wise were they urging
them to leave their county to join
Dare. They pledged their contin-
ued Wholehearted support for
road and other projects to benefit
Ocracoke for whatever helps Ocra-
coke will help Dare.
As assurance of this support
and good will, Dare Commissions
ers, Lawrence Swain of Manteo,
and E. P. White of Buxton visited
the Ocracoke Civic Club Monday
night, and stated Dare's position.
A splendid welcome was given the
dare County men, and some so
members of the club enjoyed q