Drum Inlet Camp

Story
Decoys
Credits

🟡 LIMITED RESEARCH VOLUME

OWNERS

Prefers name to be omitted

Date–current structure built in 1969

OTHER ASSOCIATIONS

Coast Guard Station #189

Tract No.: 111-02

LOCATION
Southern Core Banks–at site of prior CG Station #189

Story

9-29-95 NPS photo–camp facing the beach–Jeff Cordes

do you know more? contact me.

Camp south of old Drum Inlet–atop CG Station #189 site

Entered through a trap door under the camp–which is elevated on pilings to give it protection–the interior was finished as one would a simple beach home. It gives excellent views of the surrounding beach, as one would expect.

1976 Existing Conditions map–NPS

A favorite beachside gathering spot for locals–in 60s, instead of going to the beach, often yoing and young at heart, would gather at the station to swim, sun-bathe ,enjoy the social group.

The most recent owner (and current leaseholder) discovered that the decommissioned station property was legally to have been reverted to the heirs of the property if ever closed/decommissioned. He found those heirs/owners and executed a purchase of their rights . He was able to establish a camp at the station site that remains in 2024 as I write.

Land for the Coast Guard Station #189 was taken from the owners, but provision was made for property to revert back to private ownership if abandoned.

Charles A. Mason and Louisa in 1894 surrendered their property in this action.

The station was abandoned about 1968 and was sitting vacant–This camp owner wrote to the Coast Guard to inquire abou and tpursue purchase, or seeking a lease—they informed him they no longer owned the property and he found that about 20 heirs shared ownership at that time–obtaining an owner’s list, he bought 2/10 of the shares (10 acres). Thereby, he had ownership before the Park Service began to seek ownership of the property.

Early memories of the C.G. Station were of its doors knocked in by the weather and the first-floor floors filled with sand. Going to the second floor found 10-15 metal bunks (they had taken the mattresses) and access to a cupola/ observation site.

The telegraph system connected Cape Lookout Station to Station Atlantic.

Initially, a camp structure was built in the place of the current elevated structure but it was destroyed by fire at the time the Station burned–likely the result of arson.

Lionel Mason, the grandson of one of the heirs, had obtained or had 1/15th interest in the Station property. He put up a sign on the dock saying — “Private Property–Keep Off” which angered an individual who burned the station down.

The station being burned down, left only the elevated concrete platform that supported the cistern and an elevated structure on tiers. A new auxiliary camp was built atop these remnants initially. The current elevated structure was built about 1969.

The C.G. Dock was burned at ornear the time of the Station fire as well.