If they're not familiar names already, North Carolina beach-going vacationers will soon learn the seaside towns of Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Rodanthe and Buxton. And there's no doubt that their journey to the Outer Banks will take them through Roanoke Island. A famous landmark sandwiched between the mainland and the Outer Banks, Roanoke Island is well known as the first English settlement in America and the first born English child Virginia Dare. Continuing as a mystery for the last 500 years, the disappearance of the Lost Colony continues to elude any definite explanation to this day.
   While the Lost Colony is a familiar page out of American History, Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse is not quite so famous. When the original lighthouse was lost at sea during a move, the townspeople of Manteo came together on a plan to build a replica of their Roanoke Lighthouse. Their idea focused on the last lighthouse in service there, which marked the southern entrance of Croaton Sound from 1877 until 1955. This light-station was sold off to a private owner and during transport, the building tipped off its barge and slipped into sea. Two previous beacons were lost to weather incidents which also marked this narrow channel. Their service dates were from 1831 to 1877.
   The dedication ceremony for the new lighthouse took place on September, 2004. The replica, a cottage style light station supported on raised screw-jacks, graces Manteo's waterfront on the shoreline of Shallowbag Bay.

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