Now I like visitors as well as the man and never mind explaining to them about our local history. But it seems that sometimes these folks just don’t believe me.

Take the legend of Old Buck for instance. Yes, Hatteras folks do believe that a fearsome shipwrecked fighting bull still roams the woods there ‘bout and appears once a year at Christmas. And it’s a known fact that even the experts can’t say for sure what happened to those brave souls from the Lost Colony. Isn’t it possible that the spirit of that child, Virginia Dare, haunts the forests of Roanoke Island in the form of a beautiful white doe?

Now, when I talk about this tropical place we live in has a piece of land called Penguin Isle, I’m just as honest as can be. There’s more than one story for it and I don’t take sides about which you ought to believe.

Some say the name came during the great war between the states. This young fellow came down from Pennsylvania to fight for the Confederate cause. Though he was as any man from the South, the local citizens would not accept his loyalty. Now, this young soldier was sorely smitten by Gwenn, one of the prettiest girls among the “Banker” families. As the battle of Roanoke Island neared, Gwenn was forbidden to see her sweetheart ever again. Their love would not permit this though and the soldier hid Gwenn on a small island in the sound and told her to wait there for his return.

It was a terrible and long war, as we all remember, and the young soldier was killed before the year was over. With no friends to take her side and a family hardened against her, Gwenn was left to live out her days awaiting a lover who would never return. Her lone and solitary figure could then be seen from the shore and, in time, the place came to be called Pennsgwenn Island.

Then, there are those who say the name came to be during the time when pirates ruled the Outer Banks. The worst of them all was Blackbeard, who struck terror in the hearts of sailors and citizens alike. Blackbeard and his men would attack any ship that passed along the Carolina coast, killing all aboard and bringing back hordes of treasure which they buried in hiding places along the ‘Banks.

It was on an evening just as this that the cruel pirate and his men landed on that island to celebrate the plunder of an English frigate. Dressed in the finest pirate clothes and full of demon rum, they circled the blazing bonfire. From the safety of a nearby shore the citizens watched in wonder at the sight before them…a coven of mad penguins dancing in unison to the devil’s song. From that day forward, Penguin Island was a place to be avoided.

Those who like their history from earlier times believe that the island was named long before the fateful visit by the Lost Colonists. The great nations of Europe were searching for a secret passage to take their ships through the Americas to the Pacific Ocean. Giovannia de Verrazzano, sailing under the flag of France, arrived on the Carolina coast after a long and frightening trip across the sea. Storms and scurvy had taken their toll on his men and daily rations of the strongest grog had kept their spirits alive.

Then, a cry went out from his lookout…a break in the land ahead. Before their astonished eyes stretched an endless expanse of water. To the north inside the inlet was a small island, festooned with the strangest of birds. Dark coats covered breasts of gossamer white. Penguins, Penguins the mate cried…birds of the north…We have found the Northwest Passage! Penguin Island was marked in bold upon the ship’s log.

Now I tell you that any of these stories may be true. Who can say how such things come to pass? While you ponder my tales, relax and enjoy our Outer Banks hospitality and fine cuisine. Thank you for visiting Penguin Isle and come back again.

Sit out and gaze out at our Penguin Island and think how you might give it a name. Serene and shining in the setting sun, its real history may never be told.