Springer’s Point Preserve

Springer’s Point Preserve. The Cultural History of Springer’s Point. Springer’s Point, the highest point of land on Ocracoke Island with an adjoining channel and deep harbor, has played an important role throughout the island’s history. Archaeological evidence indicates that Late Woodland Algonkian Indians fished and gathered shellfish at Springer’s Point in pre-colonial ties. It is believed to have been the site of Pilot Town, established in 1715 as the first European settlement on Ocracoke. English pilots, sent here to guide ships through Ocracoke Inlet, built small huts and docked their boats at Springer’s Point. The settlement eventually evolved into the community of Ocracoke., Springer’s Point became famous as the hangout of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the pirate. In September of 1718, he and such pirates as Charles Vane, Robert Deal, and Calico Jack Rackham met at Springer’s Point for what is described as the largest pirate gathering ever held on the mainland of North America. Nearby Teach’s Hole was Blackbeard’s favorite anchorage. It was here that Lieutenant Maynard defeated Blackbeard in a fierce battle in 1718. Legend has it that the headless pirate swam around his ship seven times before sinking to the depths of Pamlico Sound., Shortly after Edward Teach’s death, Springer’s Point was, along with the rest of the island, granted to John Lovick. The property thereafter passed through the hands of a number of owners. Spanish privateers, who seized Ocracoke Inlet in 1747 and invaded the island, probably came ashore at Springer’s Point, stealing livestock, burning homes, and killing several residents. An attack by nine British ships and 2,000 soldiers during the War of 18 12 is said to have targeted the settlement at Springer’s Point as well., As late as 1837, this property was probably the most populated part of the village. Ocracoke’s only road at that time ran from Springer’s Point to Hatteras Inlet according to the road keeper’s minutes of Carteret County. Delvan Spring and his wife Clara were the first Springers to own the land. Wallace Springer, for whom it is named, acquired the property from William Howard and later sold it to Sam Jones, a Norfolk industrialist and Ocracoke philanthropist who owned such properties as The Castle and the Berkeley Manor. Sam Jones is buried in the cemetery on Springer’s Point next to his favorite horse, Ikey D.