Taking time to explore the Outer Banks is always a delight, and if you happen to be a history buff, you won’t want to miss out on a stop at the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station in Rodanthe. This historical stop is a popular Hatteras Island attraction with good reason. Withstanding hurricanes, flooding, winds, and water over time, the life-saving station still stands, reminding visitors of the resilience of the area.
A Brief History of the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station was one of seven of its kind that were first commissioned by the federal government in 1871. $200,000 were appropriated towards the construction of these stations in response to an increasing number of deadly shipwrecks happening along the coast of the Outer Banks due to Diamond Shoals. When the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station was built, it had a keeper’s room, boat room, mess room, lookout, and crew room too. Over time additions were built to support growth and need. When visitors drop by to see the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station today, they’ll find themselves stepping into a main station that was completed in 1911 after its predecessor was destroyed in storms.
What You Can See When You Tour
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is carefully protected and preserved by a team of dedicated volunteers year-round. When you stop by for a tour, you’ll have access to a variety of buildings on-site including the main station, the museum, and the gift shop. Directly behind the main station, guests can tour the 1874 station which boasts wood-planked exterior panels and a design built for boat storage. The cook house on-site dates back to 1987 and is a great place to tour when you’re looking to get close to where meals were prepared. Step into the Midgett House and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to 1907 thanks to era-specific furnishings, finishes, and designs. The back of the property hosts a Drill Pole that was originally used for Beach Apparatus Drills and is still used by volunteers today for demonstrations. Combined, touring all of the stops brings the daily living conditions of the early 1900s Lifesaving servicemen into view.
Plan Your Visit
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is located at 23645 N.C. Highway 12 and is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. Tours are offered seasonally from April through November for a small fee, but self-guided tours of the premises are available as well which take about an hour. Group tours of this historic life-saving station are readily available upon request.
Book Your Stay in the Outer Banks Today
When travel plans bring you to the Outer Banks, the team at Shoreline OBX has the vacation rental you need to top off your getaway in impeccable style. Reach out today to learn more!
