Wanchese

History

Also see: History of Roanoke Island Archeological evidence shows that Wanchese was the site of the first fishing village on Roanoke Island. Indigenous people inhabited the area 1500 years ago, and their various cultures used this site for fishing for 1100 years. They also collected oysters and shellfish from nearby beds in the Sound. What is called the Tillett Site (after the last owners) had been occupied originally when it was still part of the mainland, during the entire Archaic Period (8000-1000 BC). After the sea levels rose and it became an island, the saline conditions of the Sound became established, giving rise to the later indigenous fishing culture, including that of the historic Roanoke tribe. In the 1980s, it was to be redeveloped for a major commercial fishing port and seafood processing facility.

Geography

Wanchese is located at , and on the southern end of Roanoke Island. According to the United States, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (14.26%) is water.

Largest nearby schools

• Manteo Elementary School
  Elementary · Manteo · 660 students · 12.2:1 ratio
• Manteo High School
  High · Manteo · 578 students · 15.2:1 ratio
• Nags Head Elementary School
  Elementary · Nags Head · 538 students · 12.8:1 ratio
• Manteo Middle School
  Middle · Manteo · 369 students · 12.3:1 ratio
• Dare Learning Academy
  High · Nags Head · 20 students · 10:1 ratio