"The Outer Banks of North Carolina contain a rich history, legible in the names of its towns, geographic features, and waterways. A book over 20 years in the making, The Outer Banks Gazetteer is a comprehensive and encyclopedic reference guide to the names of places that make up the Outer Banks-over 3,000 entries in all. In collecting the origins of the region's place names, Roger L. Payne has also amassed an incredible history of the Outer Banks. Payne gives detailed histories on the names of beaches, inlets, towns, islands, rivers, and even sand dunes. There are also many entries for locations that no longer exist-such as inlets that have disappeared due to erosion or storms, abandoned towns, and Native American villages-highlighting important and nearly forgotten places in North Carolina's history. Going beyond simply recounting the facts behind the names, Payne offers information-packed and entertainingly written stories of North Carolina, its coastal geography, and its people"--

The rich history of North Carolina's Outer Banks is reflected in the names of its towns, geographic features, and waterways. A book over twenty years in the making, The Outer Banks Gazetteer is a comprehensive reference guide to the region's place names—over 3,000 entries in all. Along the way, Roger L. Payne has cataloged an incredible history of beaches, inlets, towns and communities, islands, rivers, and even sand dunes. There are also many entries for locations that no longer exist—inlets that have disappeared due to erosion or storms, abandoned towns, and Native American villages—which highlight important and nearly forgotten places in North Carolina's history. Going beyond simply recounting the facts behind the names, Payne offers information-packed and entertainingly written stories of North Carolina, its coastal geography, and its people. Perfect for anyone interested in the North Carolina coast, this invaluable reference guide uncovers the history of one of the most-visited areas in the Southeast.

The Outer Banks is much more than an idyllic vacation destination. A day at a time through history, it has claimed its place as a colorful region of the Old North State. Author and historian Sarah Downing offers a daily look at the quirky and fascinating stories from the region's four-hundred-year history. During a fierce hand-to-hand battle off Ocracoke Island on November 22, 1718, Lieutenant Robert Maynard killed the infamous pirate Blackbeard with five pistol shots and twenty sword cuts and slashes. On February 14, 1992, a sick seal caught a ride to safety on a Coast Guard patrol boat. Add a salty slice of history a day or a month at time with this celebration of Outer Banks heritage.

Did you know that escapees from an escargot farm keep the snail police on their toes? The Outer Banks has a long history of unconventional characters and curious occurrences. A larger-than-life likeness of Sir Walter Raleigh was once beheaded in Manteo, and the town gave itself a royal makeover in honor of a visit from a princess. The village of Corolla was integral to the early years of the Space Race. Local author Sarah Downing shares these and many more offbeat tales.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina have been a destination for seasonal visitors since Algonkian Indians hunted and fished on the islands. In 1584, English explorers arrived and before long were promoting the area as a land of natural abundance and beauty, pleasant weather, and kindly natives. Not much has changed in that respect. By the beginning of the 20th century, visitors and residents alike were using postcards to share the things that make the Outer Banks unique with family and friends in other places.