05/15/2018
Historic Corolla Park and the School : Once upon a time when the industrial revolution and the robber Barron’s dominated like dinosaurs stomping the Earth. The Outer Banks were barrier island accessible only by boat. Because there were shifting sandbars, shipping lanes, and yes even pirates (!!!) the Outer Banks required lighthouses. The one shown here is in Old Corolla Village. Well it wasn’t called that at first but that is a story for another day. Light house keepers lived in the area with their families and eventually a school was established.
The rich industrialists liked the Outer Banks for getting away from the hustle and bustle of creating railroads and cars and such factories etc. So hunt Clubs were established to shoot ducks and fish and such. The locals became guides and boatmen. That’s where the Whale Head Club comes in. These beautiful grounds surrounded the lovely hunting ‘mansion’ pictured here. We have enjoyed July 4th fireworks, quiet sunsets, and guided tours of the house with its artistic period decors in the area of the newly named Historic Corolla Park. The park is open to the public at no charge and often hosts county sponsored festivals and other activities. Back to the school in present time.
The Waters Edge Village School is now a charter school serving the Northern Outer Banks and meets in the historic Village Schoolhouse. The community room at Corolla Capel is part of the school too as is the Wildlife Museum. We have actually attended class at the museum with the school children.
The year round community is pretty tight knit.
