VOLUME XVII NO. ♦
WANCHESE NO LONGER MERELY
A FISHING TOWN: NEW HOMES,
BUSINESSES MARK PROGRESS
Dare’s Largest Village Transformed By
Many Modern Homes, And Growing Invest
ment of-Its People in Accommodations for
Sea And Inland Fishermen; Great Future
Prosperity Predicted By Confidence of Its
Citizens.
The community of Wanchese on
Roanoke Island, which is so often
referred to as "the largest village
In Dare County,” is going places
these days. In a matter of three or
four years It has shown remark
able gains in residential building.
The pride of its people in their
public buildings has been mani
fested by considerable investment
in church property, and in the care
of the public school, which is the
community’s chief concern.
Wanchese is said to have a pop
ulation of about 1,800. However, a
great many of its residents are
employed in Norfolk or are sea
men on ships, which occupations
keep them away from home a great
deal of the time. Some 25 years
ago, the entire population was en
gaged in commercial fishing, and
the camps at Roanoke Marshes,
Hog Island, Duck Island and other
remote spots were busy places in
season. Fast motor boats have
made it possible for fishermen to
dispense with this expense, so all
fishermen now live at home when
night comes.
There has been a rapid decline
in commercial fishing during the
past several years, and about the
beginning of the war times were
prety dull because of the necessity
of many people chang ng over to
other occupations. Luckily the
sportfishing business has develop
ed, and this new industry is em
ploying a large part of the popula
tion, and bringing additional in
come to a number of tourist homes.
The growing number of boatmen
at Wanchese who have abandoned
commercial fishing and are cater
ing to the rod and reel men and
the trailers, has brought about
modernization of many homes for
the care of fishing parties, and has
caused an enormous investment to
be made in boats. Some of these
are exceptionally fine craft, indeed,
many of them using two motors,
and now and then one with three
motors. Your modern fishing craft
today has to be good to satisfy the
fisherman, and it must be assured
ly safe. Boats used today are large
and roomy as well as fast, and
fishing parties often go as far as
50 miles away from their base
during the day, and are therefore
equipped with two-way ship-to
shore radio telephone.
Wanchese is becoming more and
more an attractive community to
visit, and it is becoming more im
portant as a fishing center. Like all
rural communities, it has its ups
and downs, but it has neighborly
people, and they are helpful to
each other, as well as cooperative
and hospitable toward the visitor.
Perhaps nowhere else in North
Carolina will a community more
readily respond to a plea for help,
and when someone is in hard luck,
the needed sum is quickly raised
by taking up a collection. Nobody
holds back, no questions are
asked. It is a standing rule in
some of the Sunday school classes
to donate a given amount each
week to a number of people who
have gotten into hard luck through
no fault of their own.
Wanchese has two fine churches.
Bethany Methodist, the oldest, is
one of the largest and best sup
ported Methodist Churches in the
Coastland. It owns a new and mod
ern parsonage and extensive en
largement and improvement of the
building has been underway for
several years. Rev. C. W. Guthrie,
now serving his third year, is a
highly popular minister, and the
church and Sunday school enjoy
a most successful administration.
Remarkable gains have been
made by the people of the Pente-
See WANCHESE, Page Five
DeFEBIOS SEEK CUSTODY
OF 1 HEIR THREE CHILDP.EN
Dear, is Hollowell, Washington,
D. C., attorney, was in Manteo yes
terday afternoon conducting nego
tiations with C. S. Meekins, juve
nile ccurt judge, and Mrs. T. S.
Meekins, Jr., welfare superintend
ent, in the name of Mr. and Mrs.
Frank DeFebio. Judge Meekins
told the attorney that whenever
the local welfare department was
satisfied that the conditions of Ids
judgment in the ease, that the De-
Febics had established a “proper
home" for their children, the chil
dren would be returned to their
parents at once. The chi|dren are
at present placed in a boarding
home in Perquimans county.
THE COASTLAND TIMES
PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THE WALTER RALEIGH COASTLAND OF NORTH CAROLINA
COASTLAND FAVORITES
BEACH FOR TWO WEEKS
HON. LINDSAY C. WARREN,
Comptroller General of the U. S.
and Mrs. Warren, are again in
Dare County for their annual va
cation, spending two weeks at the
Croatan Hotel at Kitty Hawk. Mr.
Warren has been enjoying some
excellent fishing off Oregon Inlet
with Capt. Charlie Perry of Kitty
Hawk during the past ten days.
HEALTH CENTER GROUP
ELECTS NEW OFFICERS
The Women’s Auxiliary of Cape
Hatteras Health Center, Buxton
Branch, met at the home of Mrs.
Edna Barnette on the 16th of July
at 8 p.m. The following new of
ficers were elected: Mrs. Beuna
Ballance, president; Mrs. Nina
Hehl, vice president; Mrs. Edna
Barnette, treasurer; Mrs. Paula
Fulcher, board member; Mrs. Peg
gy Hornstein, secretary.
After the business was complet
ed a parcel post sale was held
which made SB.OO. Also"” two
checks were donated from Mrs.
Gladys Baker, New York City, S2O,
Mrs. Edith Erwin, New Jersey, $5,
which brings the amount in the
treasury to $38.58. The heaitn cen
ter thanks Avon for the two bed
trays and Hatteras for the twelve
yards of material for curtains and
three bed spreads.
WANCHESE HAS PLENTY TO ATTRACT ATTENTION OF THE TOURIST, FISHERMAN, LOVER OF THE OUT OF DOORS
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MILL LANDING at Wanchese presents a lovely scene of an evening when the fishing boats come in and tie ip. To the right a young fellow appears all ready to go out
with the boys. They start early to leant all about a beat at Wanchese. Bottom row shows artist sketching a scene at Mill Landing. To the right are the fish markets, stores
and stands that cater to the fishermen. Mill Landing is really the sportfishing center of. the community. Photos by Victor Meekins.
WANCHESE POSTOFFICE IS IN CENTER OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
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THE WANCHESE POSTOFFICE is just about as near center of population in the community as it is
possible to get it. It is kept by a genial, bachelor merchant, whose name appears upon the front. Wan
chese’s postmaster has run the office for 30 years o r more, and he runs one of the biggest general stores
in the Coastland. In the background is the home of W alter Gaskill, well-known travelling salesman, who
formerly ran the store now owned by Mr. Davis.
ROTARIANS PLEDGE
TO HELP PURCHASE
SPRAYING MACHINE
At the Monday evening meeting
of the Manteo Rotary Club, Bill
Hardy, Business Manager of P'e
Lost Colony, presented a plan for
securing a fogging machine to be
used in protecting patrons of the
Lost Colony and other Dare Coun
ty tourists from mosquitoes and
other insects. The club gave re
sponse to Mr. Hardy’s suggestion
that tickets be sold for the Vir
ginia Dare Day Performance of the
Lost Colony and the proceeds
therefrom be used to defray the
cost of purchase and operation of
a new device which is said to be
highly successful in destroying the
bothersome insects. Attendance had
been affected seriously in recent
nights because of the presence of
mosquitoes, and the machine which
is to k purchased immediately will
enable audiences to enjoy the local
drama in a mosquito-free atmos
phere for the remainder of the rea
son. Other civic groups are being
asked to participate in this project
wh'ch will be of benefit to cur en
tire vacation-land.
The c’ub members and viritcis
enjoyed a program of vocal music
provided by Mrs. Helyne McLain of
New York City. Mrs. McLain plays
the role of Dame Coleman in the
Lost Colony and is also a member
of the Lost Colony Chorus. Elza
Ccgk of Princeton, New Je’sey, and
assistant organist for the Lost Col
ony, accompanied Mrs. McLain at
the piano. Also the guest of Wally
McCown, program chairman, was
Gene McLain of New York City,
who plays the Indian Chieftain
Wingica in the Lost Colony.
See ROTARIANS, Page Eight
MANTEO, N. C., FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1951
OLD NEIGHBORS MEET AND CHAT AT WANCHESE
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FRIENDLINESS AND KIND WORDS go a long way with the older
folks at Wanchese. This snapshot shows two of the best known people
of the community, and two of the best loved ones. Capt. Jeff Hayman.
88, former Sheriff, former keeper of Fort Raleigh, lives in a little
house by the side of the road, near the home of one of his sons.
Aunt Mary Tillett, widow of “Uncle Bink,” stopped to ask about his
health and to wish him well. They stood together to be photographed.
MANTEO FIRE DEPT.
GETS HIGH PRAISE
FOR SPLENDID WORK
Fire Chief Ivey Evans recently
received a letter commending the
work of the Manteo Fire Depart
ment at a fire on the Dare beach
from the General Manager of the
Halsey Hardwood Co. of Edenton.
His letter is a feather in the cap
of the Manteo fire fighters. It
reads:
Halsey Hardwood Co., Inc.
Edenton, N. C.
July 3, 1951.
Fire Chief
Manteo, N. C.
Dear Sir:
I happened to be a spectator at
the fire at Kitty Hawk Beach this
past Saturday night, and as such,
I want to take this opportunity to
congratulate you and your Fire
Department for the splendid work
which they did in fighting the fire
on the Beach Saturday night. Dur
ing the past several years I have
had an opportunity to observe fire
companies from small communities,
as well as cities, fight fire and I
want to say that I have never, as
yet, seen a Fire Department dis
play such ability and courage as
your Department did on the Beach
during this fire. Knowing that the
water supply was very limited, I
noticed that they made every drop
count and I don’t believe they
could have done a better job if they
had had all the city water mains
in a large city at their disposal.
I have been fortunate enough for
the past 12 or 15 years to have my
family spend the summer at our
little cottage at Kitty Hawk Beach.
I manage to go to the Beach and
visit them every weekend, and oc
casionally some night during the
week. As a summer resident and
property owner at Kitty Hawk
Beach, I want you and your De
partment to know that after Satur
day night, I have had a better feel
ing of security for my little family
at the Beach, especially concerning
the fire hazard since witnessing the
scene at Kitty Hawk Saturday
night.
Very truly yours,
C. T. Griffin,
General Manager.
State Board Reverses Decision: Stumpy
Point and Rodanthe Schools to Reopen
Dare Delegations Appeal to Board at Meeting in Ra
leigh July 12. Both Schools Limited to One-Teacher
Systems, However.
The arguments of two delega
tions from Dare county at the
meeting of the State Board of Ed
ucation in Raleigh last Thursday
resulted in the retention of the
Rodanthe and Stumpy Point Ele
mentary Schools.
After hearing appeals from
Capt. Levene Midgett and Melvin
R. Daniels for restoration of the
elementary school at Rodanthe, and
of Harvey Best, D. L. Meekins and
Robert Midgett to keep open the
Stumpy Point School, the State
Single Copy 70
DARE CHAMBER
ASKS STATE TO
COMPLETE ROAD
President to Sound Out Pos
sibilities for County Travel
and Advertising CounciJ
The Board of Directors, Dare
County Chamber of Commerce, met
in the Community Building here
July 11. It was agreed to ask the
support of Gov. W. Kerr Scott by
letter in oompleting the Nags
Head-Hatteras road between Ore
gon Inlet and Rodanthe. It had
been said that the work was held
up due to ths fact that the govern
ment had not approved the building
of the highway across Pea Island
National Wildlife Refuge. How
ever, the federal government gave
the green light to the project a
few days ago as a result of the ef
forts of Rep. Herbert Bonner.
When the state wishes to build the
road-link, there is now nothing to
prevent its accomplishment.
President Alvah H. Ward was
appointed a one-man committee to
contact and work with the county
and town boards and civic organ
izations to the end that a travel
and advertising council might be
formed on a county-wide basis.
DARE BEACHES OFFICIAL
RESENTS RECENT RUMOR
To the Editor:
The Dare Beaches Chamber of
Commerce has been publicly ac
cused by an organization in Man
teo, N. C., of holding the tourist
trade to the north end of the
beach. The records at the Informa
tion Booth show that several par
ties have been s«it to Manteo
guest houses listed with us. Any
one listed with us will be recom
mended regardless of location.
We do our best to place strang
ers in the accommodations they
want regardless of district; but we
cannot send strangers to accom
modations that are not listed with
us, neither can we make the tourist
spend his vacation where he does
not choose to go.
See BEACHES, Page Eight
Board agreed that-round trips of
25-27 miles daily to attend school
were not proper for primary grade
children.
The delegations presented a res
olution passed by the Dare county
Board of Education requesting the
continued operation of the two
schools to the state school officials.
Strings Attached
The State Board did not accede
to the entire propositions of the
two delegations, however. It voted
to assign one elementary teacher
for the lower grades at Rodanthe
and ruled that upper elementary
pupils and high school students
must be transported to the Buxton
School. Last term Rodanthe had
one high school and two element
ary school teachers.
The Board refused to grant the
Stumpy Point delegation’s request
for two teachers, one more than
was assigned to the school last
term. The second faculty member,
the Stumpy Pointers contended,
would make it possible for an ele
mentary school of eight grades to
be maintained, doing away with the
necessity of sending any element
ary pupils on the 27-mile daily trip
to attend school at Engelhard.
The Dare County Board of Edu
cation was given authority to de
termine how many grades to es
tablish in the one-teacher Rodanthe
school. Stumpy Point, which had
four grades last term, will con
tinue on that basis.
LIONS INTERNATIONAL
DIRECTOR TO SPEAK
HERE ON AUGUST 6
Cuitis D. Lovill of Gardner,
Maine, International Director of
Lions Clubs, will be present at the
August 6 meeting of the Manteo
Lions Club, it was announced at
Monday night’s meeting by Edwin
R Midgett, chairman for this zone
of Liens Clubs. Mr. Lovill will ar
rive here Sunday, August 5, and,
after addressing the Lions on Mon
day night, will make a guest ap
pearance in the cast of The Lost
Colony on Tuesday, celebrity night.
Members of the four clubs.in this
zone, Elizabeth City, Can.uen,
Weeksville and Manteo, will be in
vited to hear Mr. Lovill, Mr. Mid
gett said.
Johi Long of the Manteo Ro
tary Club addressed the Lions on,
the subject of assisting The Lost
Colony to pay for a fog-spraying
machine which the dramatic group
is purchasing. Mr. Long explained
Sea LIONS, Page Eight -