Shackleford Banks facts for kids
Shackleford Banks is a special barrier island system located off the coast of Carteret County, North Carolina. It's famous for its herd of wild horses, which are often called "Banker horses." Besides horses, you can find scallops, crabs, and many other sea animals here. Loggerhead turtles even come to the island in the summer to lay their eggs!
This island is a popular spot for tourists and people who enjoy camping on the beach. Shackleford Banks is close to Harkers Island, North Carolina, Beaufort, North Carolina, and Fort Macon State Park. It's also part of the larger Cape Lookout National Seashore.
A Look Back: The History of Shackleford Banks
Shackleford Banks has a long and interesting history. Back in 1713, a man named John Shackleford, who owned large farms in Virginia, bought big pieces of land in Bath County. This land included what we now call Shackleford Banks. At that time, the island was known as "Sea Banks" on old maps. It was, and still is, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks in Carteret County, North Carolina.
When John Shackleford first got his land, the island was called "Cart Island." This name probably came from Carteret County. The Shackleford family owned the island for many years. In 1805, James Shackleford sold the family's land on the Banks to Roger and John Shackleford, who were from Georgetown, South Carolina.
Shackleford Banks even had a town once! A settlement called Diamond City was located on the island. However, by 1902, everyone who lived there had moved away, and the town became abandoned.
For a long time, until 1933, Shackleford Banks was connected to the Core Banks. But then, a powerful storm called the 1933 Outer Banks Hurricane created a new opening, now known as Barden Inlet. This inlet separated Shackleford Banks from South Core Banks, making it its own island.
Wild Horses of Shackleford Banks
Today, Shackleford Banks is most famous for its wild horses. These horses are often called "Banker horses." The National Park Service carefully watches and studies these horses. They give us a peek into how horses lived in the wild before people started taming them.
How these horses first arrived on the island is still a bit of a mystery! One popular story says that they are descendants of Spanish Mustangs that survived a shipwreck many years ago.
Visiting Shackleford Banks
If you want to visit Shackleford Banks, you can take a ferry from Morehead City, Beaufort, or Harkers Island. Since the horses roam freely, you might have to search a bit to find them.
It's very important to remember that these horses are wild, not pets. They are not used to being around people. So, you should always keep a safe distance from them. If they feel threatened, they might attack. It's best to observe them from afar and enjoy their natural beauty.
