Outer Banks of North Carolina Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1830s

In those days, planters from inland counties longed to escape the long, hot and humid summer, which they believed fostered malaria and other diseases. In the 1830s, the first of these plantation owners came to Nags Head and purchased 200 acres of land where he built the very first beach cottage.

Answer: Sir Walter Raleigh

This failed attempt to establish a settlement became known as The Lost Colony. Two attempts to settle on Roanoke Island were unsuccessful, with settlers disappearing without trace. It is widely speculated that the Croatan Indians were to blame for the demise of the colony, but just what brought about the unrest will forever remain a mystery.

In 1607, settlers at Jamestown, Virginia tried in vain to find the lost colony.

Answer: 1903

A large monument now stands at the site of this historic event, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Outer Banks. The Wright brothers were originally from Dayton, Ohio, and were owners of a bicycle shop.

Answer: The Graveyard of the Atlantic

Over 600 ships have been wrecked along this treacherous stretch of coast since the 16th century, a few remain visible at times on the beaches, and as silhouettes visible from tourist airplanes that fly over the coastline. The wrecks are also a popular destination for divers that venture to the area.

Answer: Queen Anne's Revenge

The British-built ship Concorde, was destined to become Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge when she was captured somewhere off the Bahamas in 1717.

She was in the style of a Dutch flute, which had been a popular design for European merchant ships in the early 1700s. Not content with the 26 cannon she was already carrying, Blackbeard increased the number to 40.

Answer: 208 feet

The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, which stands at 208-feet, is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. There are a total of five historic lighthouses on the Outer Banks. Along with the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, there is also the Bodie Island Lighthouse, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, the Ocracoke Lighthouse, and the Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse.

Answer: U.S. Lifesaving Service

In 1874, the U.S. Lifesaving Service was begun by building a chain of seven lifesaving stations along the Outer Banks, at the points of greatest danger to ocean going vessels. The U.S. Lifesaving Service was the forerunner to the U.S. Coast Guard. The lifesaving stations, working in conjunction with the several lighthouses located along the Outer Banks, helped to save and rescue many vessels as they passed through the "Graveyard of the Atlantic".

Answer: 90

A frequent destination of Hang-Glider's Jockey's Ridge is one of the main tourist attractions on the Outer Banks. It is also rumored that the Dunes cover up other former attractions, hotels, and cottages.

Answer: False

Although most of the combat of World War II was waged on other continents, the Outer Banks was the site of some military action. German U-boats prowled along coastal shipping lanes, destroying at least 60 Allied vessels. The enemy submarines experienced losses as well.

The first German U-boat sunk by Americans lies in a watery grave off the coast of Bodie Island. Many Outer Banks residents recall blackouts each night during the war to prevent enemy ships from detecting the shoreline.

Answer: True

Because of its steady and consistent winds, temperate weather, shallow sound waters and rolling ocean waves, the Outer Banks has long been dubbed the Wind Surfing Capital of the East Coast. Wind surfers practice their craft year-round and frequent the outfitters in the area who offer lessons, clinics and equipment rental and sales. Windy year-round, the Outer Banks averages a wind velocity of 11-15 miles per hour.