Commentary: The vision for rescuing the 1898 Oregon Inlet Life-Saving/Coast Guard Station
For more information on the background of the Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station, click here
The dream of rescuing the historic 1898 Oregon Inlet Life-Saving/Coast Guard can become a reality.
As with so many things, ideas and visions morph and evolve. My first thoughts were of only using the building as a Visitor Center. My first plans were for somebody else to do it. When I realized that was not going to happen, I thought of just forming a club.
Everything went into overdrive when I heard that it might be cut it in pieces and either moved to the N.C. Aquarium campus in Manteo or given to a small Manteo museum that is open only one day a year. I knew I had to do something immediate and drastic.
It would take a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to accomplish… something I knew nothing about. But I was going to leap before looking, and trust that I would get lots of help.
One Vision
I have now changed my original “4R’s” to be “Rescue, Repair, Rejuvenate & Repurpose.” So, let’s Reflect and Rejoice in this Resurrection!
This is a two-story 35 by 70-foot building with an attic. It is a shell. For our purposes, that turns out to be great. I envision a totally new and different floor plan.
I have already proposed a number of functions for this structure that would benefit millions of visitors and locals alike – each of these would be one room in the new floor plan: a Visitors Welcome Center, restrooms, a gift shop, a museum celebrating all 29 of North Carolina’s United States Life-Saving Service stations (which has never existed), a Sponsors and Partners Display room, a large meeting room/event venue, a galley, and a webcam in the tower. The whole world can see what we see from there!
Let’s also add a NOAA weather forecast office.
The area Life-Saving Service museums understandably serve themselves but only tell part of this huge and heroic history – we are telling the whole story. The others are serving a small population – we are serving millions of people! We are sharing the wealth – assisting our 2.5 million Cape Hatteras Island visitors, increasing the economy of local OBX merchants, adding to the tax revenues for Dare County and the state of North Carolina, and educating millions in a variety of areas, not just our heroic history!
Earlier, I used the word “Resurrection.” It will literally be that – a completely new entity will be born. Everyone who is part of this rebirth – Board Members, Volunteers, Donors, Sponsors, Promoters, newsletter readers – everyone connected will have the honor of being one of the creators! A founding only occurs once…
This project is not about me. It is about rescuing, saving, and honoring a unique Outer Banks building that will serve so many in so many ways.
I see us all creating something that has never existed in the history of Dare County, which began in 1870. Hundreds of us are each like one piece of a huge jigsaw puzzle. When we are all put together as a team, we have created a masterpiece of a unique picture.
An Invitation
However, that is only one part. I am a dreamer. There are other visionaries and dreamers. All ideas are welcome. We are only part of this picture. We need the opposite: realists and detail-oriented people to make the perfect and needed balance.
Seeing the Reality for Yourself
There has been a great deal of misinformation about the situation of this historic building.
- As you can clearly see from this sweeping video, the Station is a long way from the ocean. It is not in immediate danger of erosion; in fact, the sand is accreting to the north. Ironically, Jennette’s Pier is much more in danger of erosion.
- All buildings on the Outer Banks are subject to hurricanes. This single building, however, has survived every single one since 1898 – that is 126-years! How many other OBX buildings can make that claim?
All Visions Agree
This majestic and heroic icon, in a Hollywood unspoiled beach scene setting which could still be 1898, has been seen by all travelers visiting Hatteras Island since 1898. It is the first in many important ways. It should remain in its historic birthplace. It can usefully serve millions – and it should.
Help us achieve this noble and historic mission. See our Facebook page (website coming soon). Join our mailing list and/or donate at LifeSavingServiceOBX@gmail.com.
