| Currituck's Attractions |
| THE CURRITUCK COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND JAIL- The Currituck County Courthouse and Jail are two of the oldest buildings in North Carolina. The orginal Courthouse was constructed in 1723. This bulding was replaced in 1842. It has since been renovated and currently houses the County's government offices. In 1776, the Colonial Legislature granted permission to build a jail in Currituck County. The Currituck County Jail is one of the five oldest jails in North Carolina. There are no public tours and the Jail is avaliable for external viewing and photo's only. CURRITUCK SOUND- This shallow, grassy body of brackish water stretches thirty-five miles from Virginia to the Albemarle Sound and is four to fifteen miles wide. The sound is an important part of the life of Currituck County. It is home to game fish, crabs and a variety of waterfowl. There are free public accesses available throughout the county. Boating, kayaking, water skiing, fishing and water sports, in general, are popular activites on the sound. THE TOWNS OF NORTH SWAN BEACH AND COROVA- This is the true place where vacationers and residents really can get away from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Since this is past Highway 12 the only way residents can get to their houses is to ride over the dunes and on the beach. This is a real vacation when wild horses are grazing in your backyard. There is only one fire and rescue station and very little tourist at all. The nearest grocery store is at least 40 miles away. I have special knowledge of this since I have recently visited these two small and deserted towns. THE HISTORICAL WHALEHEAD CLUB- The Whalehead Club was built in the 1920's by the wealthy industrialist Edward C. Knight at the cost of $400,000.000 when his wife, a hunter in her own right, was refused membership in another club. The Whalehead Club has been called the "Crown Jewel of the Outer Banks." In October 1992 Currituck County purchased this "Crown Jewel" and 28.5 acres of land in order that the structure might be adaptively restored to house the Currituck Wildlife Museum. This Museum will house a northeastern North Carolina collection of antique decoys. The decoy makers of northesat North Carolina developed distincitve styles, most tending to produce slightly oversized replicas of local waterfowl easily seen from the air. Some of the decoys housed in this collection have become rare and are highly prized by collectors. The Whalehead Club is undergoing renovation to bring it back to its original splendor and is undergoing splendor and is open to the public. MACKAY ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE- The Refuge is off Hwy. 615 adjacent to Knotts Island. A Visitor's Center with a wildlife exhibit room is located in the old Kitchen Tract hunt club. Office hours are 8 AM - 5 PM, Mon. - Fri., throughout the year. The Refuge offers the Great Marsh Trail and the Mackay Island Road both open all year for regular road driving, wlaking, biking, fishing, and wilife oberservation. It also offers the Mackay Island Trail and the Live Oak Trail, open March 15 through October 15, for walking, running, biking, and accessing 3 duck ponds for fishing. The refuge also offers a small boat launch for boats of 16 feet or smaller with no motor size limits and 20 miles of canals and creeks ideal for canoeing. Both Back Bay in Virginia and the Currituck Sound in North Carolina can be accessed from the refuge. The Refuge Manager can be reached at P.O. Box 39, Knotts Island, NC 27950-0039. Occasionally, sections of the Refuge may be closed. Call 252-429-3100 for information. MARTIN VINEYARDS- Martin Vineyards is the closest wine producer to the north-west corner of North Carolina. This attraction includes wine tasting, special events, and a very nice selection of wines to buy. It is located on Knotts Island and can be reached by a FREE Ferry. THE CORN MAIZE- Admission ADULTS.........................................$5.00 CHILDREN(5 and Older)................$5.00 Children under 5 when accompanied by adult are FREE! CALL FOR GROUP RATES Roberts Ridge Farm Corner of US 158 and S. Indiantown Road(State Road 1147) Shawboro, NC 27973 (252) 336-4793 *All pieces and information are subject to change. Information was posted 8/30/01 and contact me at goofy11_us@yahoo.com if any information incorrect or needs updated. **Updated 9/13/02 |
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