Outer Banks Haunts & Legends

It's hard to believe spooky season is almost over. Luckily - holiday season and cool weather is in full effect so at least there's that.

Personally, I enjoy spooky. I love the paranormal. I don't shy away from the macabre. I like a unique legend. Tell me your crazy experience or share your knowledge of local lore and I'm all ears. While I can be cynical about many things in life - I won't be when it comes to a good mystery. I have always believed in the possibility of things outside of our perceived control or dimension... and even though that can sometimes be a little frightening, I think it's also refreshing to believe in the seemingly impossible because isn't life more interesting without so many limits?

Do you believe in any aspect of the paranormal? (Spirits, sixth senses, auras, crystal energy, aliens, Sasquatch, etc.)

• Absolutely - and I've experienced it first hand!
• Yes, even though I've never witnessed anything myself.
• Maybe... I am open to being convinced of a phenomena or two.
• Not really. I used to be open, but I'm just not a believer.

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Given that the Outer Banks is an area rich in historic importance, it's no wonder it's quite the hot spot for lore, legends, myths and haunts. Prior to European colonialism of Central and Northern America, an extensive variety of indigenous civilizations lived and died on these lands, including the beaches and surrounding inland areas making up the modern day Outer Banks. And of course, most people have probably heard of The Lost Colony, which is, in short, a reference to the mysterious disappearance of the 100+ English men, women, and children who had established the first permanent English settlement on Roanoke Island. It was also not uncommon for territorial disputes among native groups, or among natives and settlers as colonialism progressed.

The Outer Banks coast is also known to be treacherous with hazardous shifting sand dunes and unpredictable tides. In fact, the ocean has claimed countless ships and thousands of lives in the past few centuries, thus explaining the given "the Graveyard of the Atlantic" nickname. Although navigation measures have improved in modern times to prevent major shipping disasters, the ocean unfortunately still sometimes claims lives with its endless strong tides during major weather events, or even just from a daily summer rip current.

The area (both on land and in water) have also been home to major forts, battles, or gathering places during the American Revolution, the Civil War, and both World Wars. And of course - you can't forget Atlantic piracy of the 17th and 18th centuries... the infamous Blackbeard himself roamed these waters, kept a makeshift home on Ocracoke Island, and was killed right in the local inlet. You can even find artifacts from Queen Anne's Revenge in our museums.

So TLDR... all this was to simply point out that there has been a lot of life (and death) on these shores (is that too dark?)... and I have always been fascinated with the resulting complex energy. You want ghosts? We got ghosts. You want folklore? We got folklore. You want to experience the supernatural? Step out on the beach on a clear autumn night with only the moonlight to guide you, and tell me you don't feel like this place is alive in itself.

So here's where I would normally launch into a full overview of some of the most popular Outer Banks legends. Only I'm not going to do it... and here's why. A few years ago, I worked in marketing for a local vacation realty company. My job as the writer of our marketing team was to put out interesting and educational content about the Outer Banks. As a Halloween lover, I spent a lot of time researching local legends and reading different versions from some of the most well-known storytellers of the area, and compiled everything into a fun and simple blog article to help visitors learn the overview of popular haunts. And even though I no longer work for that company, I enjoy sharing my OBX knowledge with those who want to learn and I'm proud of my existing work.

Considering I don't want to confuse Google's algorithm by paraphrasing myself, and I'm not looking to reinvent the wheel on an already researched and saturated topic... I am simply going to share said article and strongly encourage you give it a read. (And hey, if it makes you want to visit the OBX, the good people at Seaside can definitely help you find a place to stay!)

I give you: The Top Spooky Places on the Outer Banks. Enjoy ^_^

PS: I have also had my own "haunted house" experience when I first moved here. I'll be telling that story in the coming weeks over on YouTube so be sure to keep an eye out for that story!