Emerald Isle

History

From about 1 AD to colonial times, Emerald Isle was home to Native Americans. Later, the area was settled by a small number of whalers and fishermen. In the 1920s, Henry Fort, who owned the Emerald Isle beaches and land surrounding them, hoped to open a large summer tourist attraction and ocean resort. Fort worked with developers, but the plans never materialized. After his death, his daughter Anita Maulick inherited Emerald Isle. In 1951, seven people purchased the stretch of island for $350,000 from Anita Maulick. Emerald Isle was sliced into 54 blocks of , each going from ocean to sound. The partners drew from a hat for the ownership of blocks. Because they wanted Emerald Isle to be family-oriented, the owners limited commercial development and mobile homes to five blocks each. In 1960, ferry service began, providing wider access to the Bogue Banks beaches of modern-day Emerald Isle. In 1971, the Cameron Langston Bridge was opened to provide access from Cedar Point to the western end of Bogue Banks and Emerald Isle. The bridge, spanning the Intracoastal Waterway, offers a great view of Bogue Sound and Bogue Banks. The opening of the bridge increased island development. which are protected by federal law.

Geography

Emerald Isle is located in southwestern Carteret County at the western end of Bogue Banks, a barrier island. To the south is the Atlantic Ocean, and to the north is Bogue Sound separating the island from mainland North Carolina. The town extends to the western tip of the island, ending at Bogue Inlet, while to the east the town is bordered by Indian Beach. NC Highway 58 runs through the town, connecting it with the mainland in Cape Carteret. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.67%, is water.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Croatan High
  High · Newport · 974 students · 17.1:1 ratio
• White Oak Elementary
  Elementary · Cape Carteret · 772 students · 15.8:1 ratio
• Broad Creek Middle
  Middle · Newport · 710 students · 16.1:1 ratio
• Bogue Sound Elementary
  Elementary · Newport · 467 students · 13:1 ratio