Cape Hatteras Historical Attractions

You won't want to miss this bus tour of Hatteras Island. Danny Couch, island native, leads tours in a 25-passenger mini-bus, telling island history and stories along the way. Couch grew up on the island and is passionate about its history. The first tour of the day starts at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum and traveling north to Buxton. The second tour goes from Avon to Buxton. There are also tours of Chicamacomico and Ocracoke Island.

The first US Weather Bureau Station managed by the Army Signal Service's on Hatteras Island was established at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Keeper's Quarter in 1874;was moved to the Hatteras Life Saving Station in 1880 and later transferred to a Hatteras Village private residence in 1883.  On July 1, 1891 the US Weather Bureau was established in the Department of Agriculture by the transfer from the Army Signal Corps, meteorological service.  In 1901 the first official building was constructed for the United States Weather Bureau on Hatteras Island. The station manned by an observer and a maintenance man was equipped with telegraph communication to the District Forecast Center in Washington, D.C.  Hourly checks were made of the temperature, humidity, wind velocity, solar radiation, barometric pressure and precipitation.  An important part of the national weather network, the station received information from lifesaving stations, issued coastal forecasts and storm warnings.

The seven buildings of this site, listed on both the National and State Historic Registers, comprise the most complete lifesaving station in the United States. The oldest structure, built in 1874, is under active restoration to its original condition. Visitors can view its Gothic architecture with post and lintel construction, which is seldom seen today. The main station, constructed in 1911 and modified in 1928, has been restored and is used as a museum. A gift shop is also on the premises. The newly acquired 1907 Palmer Midgett House, an example of Hatteras Island architecture, is on-site. It will eventually be restored and opened to the public to help interpret daily life on the Island during that time.

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