Looking at a map of the Outer Banks, you’ll see many unique names of towns and probably wonder where they all came from. Believe it or not, there are stories behind several of the towns themselves that made the names what they are today. While the histories vary between fact and fable, one thing is for sure- they certainly make the Outer Banks a very special place to visit!
Nags Head: This town has a few different stories behind the name, ranging in origin from a native Banks Pony with a lantern around its neck being used as tool to lure pirate vessels to shipwreck off our shores to being named for a town off the coast of England that has a very similar resemblance to the Nags Head landscape with its large sandhills. Either way, Nags Head has become a popular and must-visit vacation destination for visitors worldwide.
Kill Devil Hills: Like its neighboring town to the south, Kill Devil Hills also has a few legends on how the name came to be. Stories of being a place known for transporting rum that was “Strong Enough to Kill the Devil” to one about a local man attempting to extort money from the devil who was ultimately faced with entrapment in a pit at the top of the big hill. The site is currently known as the location of the Orville and Wilbur Wright pylon, built to honor their success in being first in flight. Currently, the town is the largest municipality in Dare County and is centrally located on the OBX.
Duck: This town is the northernmost community in Dare County and was named officially at the turn of the 20th century due to the abundance of waterfowl and popularity of hunting along the shores of the Albemarle and Currituck Sounds. While the community was one of the first areas to be settled in the county, it is actually the newest town to be incorporated along the Outer Banks and became official in 2002. While previously home to only a few homes owned by local fishing and hunting guides, the town now offers a growing year-round resident population along with a soundfront boardwalk along with shopping and restaurants to attract visitors for every season.
On a much lighter note, Corolla was submitted as the official name of the most northern town on the barrier islands back in 1895. The term itself comes from the name of the inner part of a flower and was chosen as a testament to the forever changing nature of the area that we know Corolla to be, even today. What used to be a modest fishing and farming community is now a beautiful stretch of the Outer Banks, offering a wide range of property options and attractions for families of all sizes and ages to enjoy.
While we may never know where the names truly came from, what we do know is that the Outer Banks is full of history and folklore but is also a remarkable place for owners and visitors-alike!
