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4/17/2013 NC Hwy. 12 is Open
Hurricane
Sandy devastated most of East Coast from NC
northward. Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island
were no exception. As you can see from this
October picture NC Hwy. 12 (our only access
road) was damaged severely in two places. NCDOT
now has Hwy. 12 open for traffic without delays.
Citizens of
Hatteras Island are proud of the NCDOT and the
exhausting efforts they continually perform for
us in keeping access for our residents and
visitors. We have the finest DOT in the entire country!
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Recent Damage From Hurricane Sandy
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Avon, North
Carolina is a
very popular Outer Banks vacation destination
with a lot of surprises to offer. First time
visitors from urban areas will be amazed when
they visit this unique town that has only two
traffic lights and so much serenity to offer.
Avon has lots of rental homes that are ocean
front as well as others that are back a few rows
and most all have easy beach access. All of the
neighboring villages on Hatteras Island are
relatively close to each other which means that
the island can offer many different businesses
centered around tourism like motels, B&B's,
restaurants. markets, tackle shops, hardware
stores, beach supply stores, and much more.
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Surf or
Sound Realty
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In its early years Avon
village had always been known as Kinnakeet but the village
received a different identity when the post office adopted
the new name in 1883. Although there is no official records
of why the post office selected Avon as the new name, it is
speculated that it was named after the river in England.
Kinnakeet is an Algonquian Indian word meaning [that which
is mixed]. This name was originally given to identify the
area because it consisted of several settlements bunched
into one.
Very few people remember
that Kinnakeet once had enormous stands of live oaks and
cedars which were valuable for boat building. The early
village flourished as a pre-colonial boat building and
repair capital for eastern exploration ships. Kinnakeet was
once the island's most prosperous local village right up
until Hatteras Inlet was opened by a hurricane in 1846. From
that point on Hatteras Village took its place (mostly due to
the location).
Because of the massive
commercial harvest of Kinnakeet's forests, eventually there
were no trees left which also ultimately killed most other
remaining vegetation. This resulted in a massive sand dune
that traveled west about 20 feet per month and shrunk the
area at an incredible rate into the small sliver of an
island that is now here today.
This area
was famous for being the location of Little Kinnakeet and
Big Kinnakeet US lifesaving stations which were commissioned
to assist in mariner rescues during our nation's early
history. Read more about these Life Saving Stations and also
find some great books on the history of the Outer Bank's
pirates, shipwrecks and how this area was developed on our "history"
page. Also check out this link to the
Wikipedia ongoing online reference page.
Our
Local Beach Access Controversy Should Be A National Concern!
Whether you agree or
disagree with the politics involved, Hatteras Island is
deeply embroiled in some serious issues that may determine
its eventual economic survival. Along with the economic and
housing crunch that all American's are currently feeling,
local businesses and citizens have been forced to take an
active roll in defending North Carolina's previously free
and open beaches. Our beautiful beaches have always been the
basis of the local economy until recently when the NPS
decided to begin beach closures in an attempt to expand
their bird populations. To hear some local's give their
point of view please visit Island Free Press and
also please watch this eye opening
[video].
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Driving on the Beach/Beach Access Map
The National Park
Service has instituted their new ORV Plan for
Hatteras Island. This new plan includes a regulation
requiring a special permit for driving on the beach
on Hatteras Island. Visitors can pick up a permit at
Coquina Beach, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse or the
Ocracoke Visitor Center. Two types of permits are
available ($50 for 7 days or $120 for a full
calendar year). You will also be required to watch a
very informative seven minute video in order to get
this permit. We highly recommend everyone watch this
video even if you have no plans to drive on the
beach because it discusses things like dogs on the
beach and fires, fireworks, kites, frisbees, balls,
etc. You can find this video and also a link to the
most current NPS beach closures and access maps by
clicking [HERE].
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The
Fishing
Although there are
always plenty of things to see and do in Avon, the
traditional main attraction remains the surf fishing on our
local beaches. Anglers can try for many different
species throughout the year including red drum, striped bass
(that's rockfish to the locals), bluefish, speckled trout,
flounder, spanish mackerel, whiting (sea mullet), spot,
croaker, black drum, various sharks and pompano just to name
a few. It's hard to beat a relaxing day in the sun waiting
for your rod to bend and then having the pleasure of eating
fresh fish for dinner that you just caught earlier that
day. Nearby Hatteras Inlet also offers a "world class"
destination for offshore trolling to catch tuna, marlin,
wahoo and mahi (dolphin/dorado). Click on our
fishing page from the activities list below for a bit
more information on Hatteras Island fishing. Also
check out the Cape Hatteras
Anglers Club for good quality information about fishing
on the island.
We Have
Activities Galore!
Click on a link to some of the many
activities available on Hatteras Island for Avon, NC
visitors.
Basic Travel Preparation
I am
often asked to provide a list of things that I might
consider to be basic travel preparations. One of the things
that many visitors are always concerned about is exactly
what our area has available in case of medical emergencies.
Rest assured that Hatteras Island has exceptional medical
attention always available. Please visit this
page for a listing of medical and dental facilities
that are currently available.
Government
Avon is unincorporated
and is represented on the Dare County Board of
Commissioners. The Dare County Sheriff's Office located
in the town of Hatteras patrols Avon. Water and garbage pick
up are also provided by Dare County as are all other
services that are not provided by the State of North
Carolina.
Interesting Avon Statistics
These statistics were
compiled in 2007. The listed population for Avon (zip 27915)
was 735. The median home value was $635K. Air quality was
rated 72 out of a perfect 100 and water quality was rated 90
out of a perfect 100 compared to the national averages. Avon
averages 210 sunny days a year. The average elevation
is 7 feet above sea level as compared with the national
average of 1062.
The median income is
$39, 841 per entire household with the cost of living 36%
higher then the national average. High utilities and
taxes are the main culprits for this figure. 20.7% of the
employed citizens work in the service industry, 11.70 in
construction and 38.01 in various sales jobs.
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