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

First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks

Photographed by F. Robby, August 15, 2008

1. First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks Marker

Inscription. The Whalehead Club has always been associated with wealth and leisure pursuits. When Edward Collings Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie-Louise LeBel, built their residence here in the 1920s, they made it as opulent as possible. The estate included the first swimming pool built on the Outer Banks.

Mr. Knight's wealth was derived from sugar and railroads. He and his wife, Marie-Louise Lebel Knight, also had grand homes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Middletown, Rhode Island.

From 1922 to 1934, over 200 guests enjoyed the estate's luxuries in all seasons. Guest Leticia Steele visited often, and once stayed for over nine months.

[Text with photo:] Aerial of the Knight's swimming pool.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 36° 22.402′ N, 75° 49.891′ W. Marker is in Corolla, North Carolina,

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in Currituck County. It can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Trail (State Highway 12) and Club Road. Marker is within Whalehead Park, alongside the canal, about a 1/4 mile 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.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain, on the Outer Banks,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A Nation's Defense (within shouting distance of this marker); The Knights (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caretaker's Residence

First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by F. Robby, August 15, 2008

2. First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks

The pool was located just to the right of this house.

(about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boathouse (about 500 feet away); The Whalehead Club Restoration (about 600 feet away); Corolla Island Bridges (about 600 feet away); Duck Blinds (about 600 feet away); The Whalehead Club (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corolla.

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 2,194 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.