Down Below

Ocracokers refer to that part of the island north of the village as "down below." Before Highway 12 was established (and paved), and before ferries began running across Hatteras Inlet (in the 1950's), it could be quite a trip to go down below. Nevertheless, there were fishing & hunting camps dotted along the way, and years ago a few small "settlements" here and there.

In the late 1700s or early 1800s there seem to have been a few people living amongst the sandhills near Hatteras Inlet at what is called "Styron's Hills." In 1883 the Cedar Hammock Life Saving Station was established nearby, with about six families living there.

Our best evidence indicates that the Parker family moved to Ocracoke sometime near the turn of the 20th century. Their idea was to establish a farm (raising vegetables, or maybe livestock?). The venture did not work out and they only stayed a few years. However "Parker's Hills" & "Parker's Creek," south of the pony pen, still bear their name.

You can read our latest newsletter here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news031806.htm. It's the story of traditional quilting on Ocracoke Island.

.