1953 Map of Roanoke Island NE

About this map

Nags Head and the surrounding coastline are defined by a constantly changing landscape of Shifting Sand Dunes, some reaching heights of over 50 feet. This 1953 survey, updated with 1980s data, illustrates the narrow barrier island environment where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Roanoke Sound. The map captures the early footprint of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the development around Whalebone, including the prominent Jeanettes Pier. Inland toward the sound, a complex network of small islands like Little Penguin I and Big Penguin I sits near the Roanoke Sound Channel, while the Hatteras Telephone Line and a U S Coast Guard Station highlight the essential infrastructure required for life on the Outer Banks. The presence of Headquarters Island and the Nags Head Corporate Boundary show the intersection of federal preservation and local municipal growth.