Corolla in Currituck County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Caretaker's Residence

Photographed By F. Robby, August 15, 2008

1. The Caretaker's Residence Marker

Inscription. Architectural drawings suggest that the caretaker's residence dates to the 1920s and was designed to house two families who worked for the Knights. Cleveland lewark, chief hunting guide and superintendent of the property, lived in one side of the house while his father Tilman, who fished the area, lived in the other.

When the caretaker's residence burned to the ground in 1948, the two families living here worked for Whalehead Club owner Ray T. Adams. George and Gladys Smith lived in one side. He was the marsh guard and she cleaned ducks and ironed laundry. Charlie Johnson, the ground maintenance man, lived in the other.

After the caretaker's residence burned, Adams purchased the decommissioned Penney's Hill Life Saving Station and moved it nearby for staff housing. Later, it was relocated farther north on the beach.

[Text with upper photo:] Penny's Hill Life Saving Station which Ray T. Adams moved to the Whalehead Club. Photograph courtesy of John F. Cook Jr.

[Text with lower left photo:] The caretaker's residence.

[Text with lower right photo:] Caretaker Cleveland Lewark.

Erected by Whalehead Club Currituck Heritage Park, Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 36° 22.475′ N, 75° 49.866′ W. Marker is in Corolla, North Carolina, in Currituck County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Trail (State Highway 12) and Club Road. Marker is within Whalehead Park, near the boathouse, about 500 feet west from the entrance to the park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Corolla NC 27927, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boathouse (within shouting distance of this marker); A Nation's Defense (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Currituck Beach Lighthouse (about 300 feet away); The Whalehead Club (about 400 feet away); First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks (about 500 feet away); Welcome to a Wetland (about 500 feet away); Currituck Beach Light Station (about 600 feet away); Waterfowl Hunting (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corolla.

Photographed By F. Robby, August 15, 2008

2. The Caretaker's Residence Marker

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse can be seen above the treeline in the distance.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,422 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.