Wanchese, North Carolina, United States
Wanchese | 27981
History
Wanchese is a small fishing village located on the eastern coast of North Carolina, in Dare County.
Archeological evidence shows that Wanchese was the site of the first fishing village on Roanoke Island. Indigenous people inhabited the area 1500 years ago, and their various cultures used this site for fishing for 1100 years. They also collected oysters and shellfish from nearby beds in the Sound. At the heart of it all, fishing is what Wanchese is all about.
In the 1800s, Wanchese had the only light-house on Roanoke Island, called Marshes Light, which has since been reconstructed in Manteo.[ During this time Wanchese became known as a major center for the commercial fishing industry, with its location on Roanoke Island providing easy access to the Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Wanchese also became known for its boatbuilding industry, with skilled craftsmen building wooden vessels for the local fishing fleet.
Today, Wanchese remains a thriving fishing village, with a strong connection to its history and the sea.
Visitors can explore the Wanchese Fishing Village and learn more about the area's fascinating past.
