Planning a vacation
in the Outer Banks? If your ideal vacation involves soaking up some rich
history as well as the sun, consider staying in one of our gorgeous Kill Devil
Hills rentals. Just minutes away from the Wright Brother Memorial,
you can spend your morning relaxing on the beach with your toes in the sand,
and then spend an enriching afternoon delving into the fascinating history of
the town.
A town in Dare County,
Kill Devil Hills is the oldest town of the Outer Banks region. The town is
named after the 90 foot dune, Big Kill Devil Hill, but there are numerous
stories of how that mountain of sand got its name. Some believe that it comes
from a brand of rum called “Kill Devil,” which had been washed ashore during
the colonial times. Another stories gives credit to the pirates who brewed
their own moonshine in the area which they claimed was “strong enough to kill
the devil.” A third story blames the rum that had been washed ashore from a
shipwreck. Locals drank such a large amount of the powerful stuff that they
said it was enough to “kill the devil.”
While the legends and
stories of pirates are all in good fun, it is the remarkable story of the first
flight that is most noteworthy about the town of Kill Devil Hills, although
Kitty Hawk usually gets the credit. On December 17, 1903, above the rolling
hills of sand belonging to Kill Devil Hills, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the
first heavier-than-air powered flight.This12 second, 120-feet flight then
launched the Age of Aviation. The brothers made four successful flights at the
base of the big hill that is now part of the Wright Brothers National
Memorial.
Want to learn more?
From any of the Kill Devil Hills rentals, take a short drive to
the Visitor Center at milepost 8, where history buffs can feast their eyes on a
full-scale reproduction of the Wright 1903 Powered Flyer as well take a look at
some interpretive presentations. In the pavilion, visitors can check out a
replica of the 1902 Wright Glider as well as other special exhibits. Outside of
the center, feel as if you are present during those famous 12 seconds as you
make out all the historical markers of each attempted powered flight. Then take
a look at the replica camp buildings before you snap a few photographs on top
Big Kill Devil Hill, where a 60-foot granite monument honoring the Wright
brothers stands tall.
Hungry for more Kill
Devil Hills history? Before Orville and Wilbur Wright ever happened upon those
fateful dunes, the town boasted a Life Saving Station that had been built in
1878. It was one of 11 stations built along the Outer Banks and was constructed
for trained rescue workers. These “surfmen” were there to help with any
shipwrecks or maritime disasters. They rescued hapless shipwrecked victims in
lifeboats that were brought back to land by the surf.
Other than
being a town of full of history, Kill Devil Hills is centrally located on the
Outer Banks of North Carolina. With beach access only a short walk away, local
eateries right down the street, activities and rentals available nearby and
unique shops littered up and down the main road, Kill Devil Hills rentals have
something to please everyone, be it the passionate shopper or the easy going
beach-goer, the fun-loving adventurer or the trivia hungry history
buff.
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