Monkey Island, North Carolina facts for kids
Sabal minor palms on Monkey Island
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 Monkey Island
Location in North Carolina
Monkey Island
Location in the United States
Location of Monkey Island in North Carolina
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| Geography | |
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| Location | North Carolina |
| Coordinates | 36°24′19″N 75°52′13″W / 36.40528°N 75.87028°W |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Currituck Sound |
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United States
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| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
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Monkey Island is a special, natural island located in Currituck Sound, North Carolina. It's part of a protected area called the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. Even though it's called "Monkey Island," you won't find any monkeys living there! The island got its name from the Pamunkey people, a Native American group who used to live in this area. They would visit the island for hunting during the summer.
About Monkey Island
This island is a quiet place with no people living on it. It's found in Poplar Branch Township, which is in Currituck County, North Carolina. About half of the island is covered in forest. This makes it a great home for many different kinds of plants and animals.
A Look Back: The Hunting Club
Monkey Island was once home to the Monkey Island Hunting Club. This club was started in 1919 by a group of important business leaders. These included George Hill, who was the president of the American Tobacco Company. Another founder was Charles Penn, who was an executive vice-president at the same company.
The hunting club building is still standing on the island today. In 1974, the club was sold. After a few different owners and businesses that didn't work out, the island became owned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This government agency helps protect wildlife and their habitats.
The Famous Bell
For many years, a special bell helped people find their way around Monkey Island. This bell was saved from an old train engine. It was used to guide members of local hunting clubs through the waters around the island when it was foggy. Today, you can see this historic bell on display in Historic Corolla Village.
Wildlife and Nature
Monkey Island is a very important place for nature. It has a large group of wading birds that live there. These birds often stand in shallow water to find food.
The island is also the most northern place where the Sabal minor palm grows naturally. These are special types of palm trees. You can see them in the image at the top of this page.
Another interesting visitor to the island is the deer. Deer often swim to Monkey Island from at least a mile away! This shows how important the island is as a safe place for them.
