About a week ago I published a vintage photograph of Howard Street. At least that's what most folks today call Ocracoke's last, historic, one lane unpaved street. Many years ago Howard Street was just one section of the "Main Road" that ran through the village, from the "bald beach" all the way to the sound (near where the National Park Service Visitors Center is today).
In the 1950s the state of North Carolina paved a new road around the harbor (including the section in front of the Community Store), and out to the "beach" (where NC Highway 12 is today). In the process they paved what was then the western section of the Main Road. Shortly thereafter Stacy Howard (cousin Blanche's father) nailed a sign onto a tree near his house. It read "East Howard Street." Stacy thought that was appropriate because 8 or 9 Howard families lived along this eastern portion of the road, and their family cemeteries lined the lane as well.
Today, of course, one end of "Howard Street" stops at the School Road, and the other end joins Highway 12 as it wraps around Silver Lake. Few people remember that more than sixty years ago it was part of a once longer road. Nowadays mostly only old-timers and their children and grandchildren still call the road by it's "full and proper" name, East Howard Street.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is an article written by my Uncle Marvin in 1954. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news102111.htm.
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Well,```````````````````````````````` where I come from street ``````````` designations or names need to be ````````````````````consistent and in the 911 data base. And the Postal service address data base for change of address- of course if your address is a P.O box or drawer the 911 EMS first responder will need a "certified" physical address as would the old land line phone company. Now a days unless you have curbside garbage pick up, 911 needs an official address exits for official purposes otherwise --- a cell phone and P O box number allows for mobility and a cloak of anonyminity.
ReplyDeleteI suspect 911 EMS could locate the folks on Howard street no matter what! That's the beauty of Ocracoke Island. Still small and personal.
ReplyDeletewell I suppose these considerations would be of concern for any one living on a charming non conventional street. Who is to say the new EMS guy is up to date on the quaint factor -- maybe be it is a replacement from the Main land county branch -- the day you call-- just be certain they --the EMS has up to date info and directions. cover your bases-- you do have a Plan B don't you??
ReplyDeleteAnon 1 and 3 has obviously never been to Ocracoke, poor dear! Of course, with that attitude it might not be a bad thing!
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