The Outer Banks Gazetteer - by Roger L Payne (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Outer Banks of North Carolina contain a rich history, legible in the names of its towns, geographic features, and waterways. A book over 20 years in the making, The Outer Banks Gazetteer is a comprehensive and encyclopedic reference guide to the names of places that make up the Outer Banks-over 3,000 entries in all. In collecting the origins of the region's place names, Roger L. Payne has also amassed an incredible history of the Outer Banks. Payne gives detailed histories on the names of beaches, inlets, towns, islands, rivers, and even sand dunes. There are also many entries for locations that no longer exist-such as inlets that have disappeared due to erosion or storms, abandoned towns, and Native American villages-highlighting important and nearly forgotten places in North Carolina's history. Going beyond simply recounting the facts behind the names, Payne offers information-packed and entertainingly written stories of North Carolina, its coastal geography, and its people"--

Book Synopsis

The rich history of North Carolina's Outer Banks is reflected in the names of its towns, geographic features, and waterways. A book over twenty years in the making, The Outer Banks Gazetteer is a comprehensive reference guide to the region's place names--over 3,000 entries in all. Along the way, Roger L. Payne has cataloged an incredible history of beaches, inlets, towns and communities, islands, rivers, and even sand dunes. There are also many entries for locations that no longer exist--inlets that have disappeared due to erosion or storms, abandoned towns, and Native American villages--which highlight important and nearly forgotten places in North Carolina's history. Going beyond simply recounting the facts behind the names, Payne offers information-packed and entertainingly written stories of North Carolina, its coastal geography, and its people.

Perfect for anyone interested in the North Carolina coast, this invaluable reference guide uncovers the history of one of the most-visited areas in the Southeast.

Review Quotes

"The ultimate guide to places in the [Outer Banks] area. . . . [A] perfect way to explore the area's history and culture through its many colorful place names."--North Carolina Libraries

"Payne weaves relevant information about geography, history, nature and economics, along with understanding of the local culture, in with the results of his research and analysis. . . . This is the sort of book anyone who loves the Outer Banks can pick up from time to time, always sure to find something worth reading. It's also the sort of book that will provide valuable history for generations to come."--Linda Brinson, Greensboro News & Record