]> obhc_lifesaving_stations_outer_banks Finding Aid of the Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection, 1874 - 1988 Processed by: Christine A. Dumoulin; machine-readable finding aid created by: Stuart Parks II &hdrNcDncsa; 2008 Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: November 2008 Description is in English Finding Aid of the Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection, 1874 - 1988 Outer Banks History Center &tpNcDncsa; Descriptive Summary Outer Banks History Center Harrison, Steve Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection, 1874 - 1988 33MSS-63 Materials in English .3 For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Outer Banks History Center. The Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection was researched and compiled by Steve Harrison, an employee of the National Park Service, Cape Hatteras Group who served as Chief of Resource Management, and relates to various stations of the United States Life-Saving Service along the Outer Banks. The collection includes station names, active dates, United States Coast Guard numbers, architectural style, location and rescue/wreck reports. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Available for research.

 Copyright Notice

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.

 Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], 33MSS-63, Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C., U.S.A.

 Acquisitions Information

Researched and compiled by Steve Harrison.

 Processing Information

Processed by Christine A. Dumoulin, 2005

Encoded by Stuart Parks II, November 2008

 Historical Note

The United States Life-Saving Service (USLSS) was created by the United States Government in 1872 in order to protect lives and shipping interests along the coast. Construction of USLSS stations began in 1874 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, which has a long history of shipwrecks and lives lost. Eventually, a total of twenty stations were situated on the shoal and channel laden coast. Once completed, these stations housed a staff, which consisted of a keeper and a crew of six, manning the stations during the active season from December to March. This season was later extended to September 1 to May 1 and then from August 1 to May 31. The United States Life-Saving Service merged with the United States Revenue Cutter Service in 1914 to form the United States Coast Guard.

The lifesaving stations also have architectural significance, and stylistic elements have become identified as a unique vernacular of modern Outer Banks architectural style. Though many of them have disappeared due to years of rough weather and neglect, others have survived and have been restored into restaurants and historic sites.

 Collection Overview

These papers contain infomation pertaining to the various lifesaving stations along the North Carolina coast, including: station name, active dates, United States Coast Guard numbers, architectural style, location and rescue/wreck reports. There is also a folder with general information about the lifesaving stations including reference sources, maps, wreck statistics, and copies of journal entries.

Collection Arrangement

The Lifesaving Stations of the Outer Banks Collection is arranged by lifesaving station in alphabetical order.

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Subject Terms Buildings--North Carolina--Outer Banks Lifesaving Stations--North Carolina--Outer Banks Shipwrecks--North Carolina--Outer Banks United States. Coast Guard United States. Life-Saving Service United States. National Park Service Geographic Locations Big Kinnakeet (N.C.) Bodie Island (N.C.) Caffey's Inlet (N.C.) Hatteras, Cape (N.C.) Chicamacomico (N.C.) Creeds Hill (N.C.) Durants (N.C.) Gull Shoal (N.C.) Hatteras Inlet (N.C.) Kill Devil Hills (N.C.) Kitty Hawk (N.C.) Little Kinnakeet (N.C.) Nags Head (N.C.) New Inlet (N.C.) Ocracoke (N.C.) Oregon Inlet (N.C.) Outer Banks (N.C.) Pea Island (N.C.) Pennys Hill (N.C.) Poyners Hill (N.C.) Wash Woods (N.C.) Related Collections

Additional information on topics found in this collection may be found in the Manuscript and Archives Reference System (MARS) http://www.ncarchives.dcr.state.nc.us.

See also: 33MSS-6 Outer Banks Architectural Survey, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C. 33MSS-8 United States Life-Saving Service Wreck Reports, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C. 33MSS-65 Pea Island Lifesavers Commemoration Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C. Container List Stations 1874-1988 1:1.1 Finding Aid 1:2.1 General Information Stations 1:3.1 Big Kinnakeet 1:3.2 Bodie Island 1:3.3 Caffey's Inlet 1:3.4 Cape Hatteras 1:3.5 Chicamacomico 1:3.6 Creeds Hill 1:3.7 Durants 1:3.8 Gull Shoal 1:3.9 Hatteras Inlet 1:3.10 Kill Devil Hills 1:3.11 Kitty Hawk 1:3.12 Little Kinnakeet 1:3.13 Nags Head 1:3.14 New Inlet 1:3.15 Ocracoke 1:3.16 Oregon Inlet 1:3.17 Pea Island 1:3.18 Pennys Hill 1:3.19 Poyners Hill 1:3.20 Wash Woods