North Carolina’s hidden attractions inspire a never-ending list of must-visit places. Frequent visitors to, and residents of, the coast know it could take a lifetime to visit and discover the magic behind each and every little town, village and island. The following island should go on the bucket list of places to visit in the very near future. This historical little island is a hidden gem along the coast with a ghost village that begs to be explored.
Located within Ocracoke Inlet, and part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, Portsmouth Island contains what may be the state's most well-preserved ghost town.
Established in 1753 as a port village, the village of Portsmouth located on the northern end of the island shut down nearly 50 years ago. The National Park Service and a group of volunteers, known as the Friends of Portsmouth, keep the village alive - and open for visitation.
Several buildings in the town, including the visitor's center (shown below) are open to the public. Guided tours are offered (seasonally), or you can roam freely through the town.
At its peak in 1860, Portsmouth had 680 residents. The village supported a shipping port that would take big loads off incoming ships and transfer them to smaller ships that could make it through the shallow Pamlico and Core Sounds. Eventually, hurricanes would change the shipping channel enough to make it a less desirable place for transfer. The home pictured below belonged to Henry Piggot, the last resident to die on the island. It is open to the public (seasonally).
And so is the Methodist Church. The church is a big gathering place for a reunion that happens every two years in Portsmouth as families who used to live here and their descendants gather to celebrate.
Shown below is what's considered to be the oldest home on Portsmouth Island. There are a total of 21 buildings standing in the tiny ghost town, including the school, the post office and general store, and the U.S. Life-Saving Station. The last residents of the island left in 1971 shortly after the death of Henry Pigott.
The best bet for getting to the island is to take a ferry. There is a "flats road" (shown below) that some dare to take, but it's usually covered in water and not the best option. Others wait for low tide and attempt to drive up the beach that opens up when the tide goes out. Again, not exactly the best option for visitors. The National Park Service publishes a list of authorized ferry services that will take you to the island.
Visiting the ghost town of Portsmouth on Portsmouth Island is an eerie step back in time, and one that’s so worth the journey. Some things to know before you go: there are limited facilities, the buildings are not wheelchair accessible, you should only attempt to get here by boat; bring plenty of water and bug spray, and no metal detectors are allowed.
Portsmouth Island is part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. See a list of ferry services that are authorized by the National Park Service here. More information about Portsmouth can be found on this page of the official website of the National Park Service.
