The Outer Banks of North Carolina, 1584-1958

New paperback reprint of a book originally published in 1958, with no editorial updates, works as both a history of the Outer Banks, and as a piece of history itself. The 50 years since Stick's original writing have seen the realization of the Outer Banks real estate boom that Stick witnessed birthing, but have also seen the passing away and obliteration of much of the old Outer Banks culture that spoke of piracy, fishing, and the sea. Overall, Stick does a good job telling about the history of the Banks, although his chapters on the wars, revolutionary and civil, tend to recitations of people and place names and do drag a bit. The virtually unnavigable Outer Banks were not a geographical key to the outcome of the Civil War, unlike the superhighway Mississippi River, and were quickly won back by the Federal invading troops, including some early experience with marine invasion. In fact, as Stick points out, many Bankers quickly swore loyalty to the Union and elected a representative; sent to Washington, Congress debated the merits of seating the rump legislator, but declined on the grounds that a few voters on nearly deserted coastal islands could hardly speak for a state the size of North Carolina which was otherwise seceded. Stick provides a brief synopsis of the Wright Brother's time in Kitty Hawk, covered in greater depth in other books, but his tales of whaling villages built and deserted (see the chapter on Diamond City), of pirates plundering and captured, and of islands open and alive make the book worth reading as both history and time piece. I was reminded again that while the Outer Banks have been blamed for blocking navigation and coastal port development that has limited the population and economic growth of the state, they have also contributed a physical beauty, isolation, and majesty that is worth more, both economically and aesthetically, than any "progress."

We recently took a vacation to the 'Banks, and bought this book because we were simply fascinated by the history of the area. It offers a very nice comprehensive history by someone who has lived in the area for many years. Excellent for the vacationer or casual visitor, it covers all the "hot spots" I wanted more information on, like the Roanoke settlement, Revolutionary War, Civil War, lighthouses, horses, shifting inlets and in general how tourism got started. Offers enough detail to whet your appetite without bogging you down with unnecessary details. My only beef is that the book was published in 1958 and a lot has happened in the last 50 years. This oversight on my part was overshadowed by the fact that it's actually entertaining to catch references to the area before "commercialization" really set in or before the Bonner bridge was built (oddly, the author refers to a bridge over the inlet as "inevitable"). Highly recommended for anyone with the Banks on their "to do" list. Just be smarter than I was and read this before you go, because we'd have gotten much more out of our trip if I had known all the history first!

To discover the unique beauty and history of the Outer Banks, David Stick is THE author to read. His lovely blend of history and legend, written in great style, is the perfect book to learn about the lighthouses, people (and horses!) of the Banks.

This is the premier history of the Outer Banks area, written by the region's premier historian. It begins in the 16th Century, when European explorers first touched the sandy barrier islands. It carefully traces the course of human and environmental events through the modern era, with special emphasis on the Revolutionary War and Civil War. This is a truly remarkable piece of work that will enlighten anyone interested in Carolina history.