The Old Villages of Hatteras Island — More Than Just a Vacation Spot
By Hunter, Tower Circle Motel
Most visitors come to the Outer Banks for sun and sand. But if you wander far enough off Highway 12, you’ll find another layer of the island—one carved not by tourists, but by tides, storms, and the quiet persistence of generations who called this place home.
The old villages of the Outer Banks—especially here on Hatteras Island—were never built on the oceanfront. They tucked themselves against the soundside, where the water was calmer, the dunes taller, and the land just a little more forgiving. These weren't resort towns. They were working villages. Fishing, boat building, lifesaving.
Today, you can still see remnants of that life if you know where to look. Old gravestones, sometimes barely visible behind thick cedar or tucked along side roads, dot the island from Avon to Hatteras. They aren't tourist attractions. They’re memorials—markers of people who endured this wind-bent place long before Wi-Fi and welcome mats.
🚶♂️ Walk with Respect: The Little Kinnakeet Life Saving Station
One of the last remaining relics of this era stands quietly near Avon: the Little Kinnakeet Life Saving Station. The wooden structure, with its widow’s walk and hand-hewn beams, is a powerful reminder of the United States Life-Saving Service, the precursor to today’s Coast Guard.
Just next to it is a short .38-mile walking trail through maritime forest. You’ll want bug spray, for sure—but more importantly, bring a sense of reverence. This isn’t an amusement park. It’s sacred ground. Walk slow. Read the signs. Breathe it in.
⛵ From Survival to Surf Trips
Here at Tower Circle Motel, we see both sides of the Outer Banks. The surfboards and sunscreen... but also the story behind the dunes. Our motel was built in 1957—before fast internet, fast fashion, or fast food found their way here. We’re proud to carry the torch of the old Buxton and hope every guest feels that heartbeat just under the surface.
📌 Final Thought
If you’re visiting Hatteras Island, take one day to drive soundside. Wander the old roads. Pause at the weathered headstones. Think about the people who built their lives here out of cedar, salt, and stubbornness.
This island wasn’t made for tourists. It was made by time.
Want help planning a walk through the historic spots on the island? Text Olivia at 252-655-1852 for local tips and a personalized guide to the places that matter most.
