Manteo in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Legacy of Pea Island
Pea Island Cookhouse Museum
| | The Pea Island Life Saving Station | |
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. The Legacy of Pea Island Marker
1880 to 1947 67 Years and Beyond
At Pea Island, Richard Etheridge and his crew were equals to their white counterparts. They were part of a national organization run by the federal government, receiving equal pay, standard equipment and most importantly their leader was one of their own. The men who served at Pea Island took pride in the work they performed and found a purpose in their livessomething the majority of blacks in the south would never realize in their lifetime. Etheridge and his crew left a legacy of honor, duty and sacrifice that inspired generations of black men to mimic their service to humanity and our Nation.
(What kind of legacy are you leaving the world?)
For 67 years, Station Pea Island was manned by an all African American crew. In 1915, the U.S. Life-Saving Service became the U.S. Coast Guard. The coming of the Modern Age reduced the need for stations every six miles apart. Advanced technology made the equipment used to save lives outdated and the surfmen of that era obsolete. The winds of change were sweeping the Nation and a new generation of African Americans
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At Pea IslandCoast Guard Official Photo
The only all-colored surf station crew in the U.S. Coast Guard. Reading from left to right, they are: Chief Boatswains Mate George E. Pruden, in charge; Cleon C. Tillett, B.M.[C]; Maxie M. Berry, Loanie C. Gary, Norphier P. Meekins, John A. Maclay and Maloyd L. Scarborough.
The last crew stationed at Pea Island in the 1940s were (L to R): Maxie Berry, Sr,; Loanie Gray; Ruben Gallop; Fleetwood Dunston; and Herbert Collins.
USCG Cutter Richard Etheridge
Captain Richard Etheridge Bridge
Erected by Outer Banks Community Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 35° 54.26′ N, 75° 40.686′ W. Marker is in Manteo, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from the intersection of Sir Walter Raleigh Street and Biddeford Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located at
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. The Legacy of Pea Island Marker
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Outer Banks. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. 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: The Rescue of the E.S. Newman (a few steps from this marker); The Life and Times of Richard Etheridge (a few steps from this marker); Herbert M. Collins Boathouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Bartow (approx. half a mile away); Confederate Channel Obstructions (approx. half a mile away); Spirit of Roanoke Island (approx. 0.6 miles away); USLSS/USCG Station Pea Island Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manteo.
Also see . . .
1. The Hero of Pea Island Lifesaving Station. (Submitted on September 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Braving the sea and segregation: The Pea Island Life-saving Crew. (Submitted on September 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Pea Island Cook House Museum. (Submitted on September 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 25, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
