Manteo in Dare County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

History behind the Land of the Trail

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2025

1. History behind the Land of the Trail Marker

Unfortunately the marker has weathered significantly and is hard to read.

Inscription.
In 2001, three of Marshall and Gussie Collins' children, Herbert, Zach, Naomi, and one grandson, Frank Hester, formed a Partnership to combine the property that was left by Marshall C. Collins. The Marshall C. Collins Family Partnership allowed Dare County to acquire 19 acres of property which appraised at $2,2775,000. The property is the site of the County of Dare Government Complex which includes the Justice Center, Administration Building, and Dare County Community Center. The Family Partnership gifted $1.8 million to Dare County so that the project could move forward.

The trail connected the Dare County Government Complex with the Visitors Center which was once the location of the family homestead and serves as a testament to the Collins/Berry family of the Skyco community. At the Visitors Center you will see the family cemetery that was located by the old homestead.

AS you walk the Wellness Trail and meander through the property owned by Marshall and Gussie Collins, remember the history of a family who preserved the property to be loved and celebrated for the enjoyment of those present, past and future.

Topics.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 2001.

Location. 35° 53.429′ N, 75° 39.774′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Manteo, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from the intersection of Marshall C Collins Drive and U.S. 64, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 950 Marshall C Collins Dr, Manteo NC 27954, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 13, 2025

2. History behind the Land of the Trail Marker

within one mile of this location, measured as the crow flies: The Collins Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Mothervine Scuppernong Grape Arbor (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Cartwright (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Battle of Roanoke Island (approx. 0.2 miles away); Red Wolf Country (approx. 0.4 miles away); Burnside Expedition of 1862 (approx. half a mile away); Bowser Family Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Roanoke Island (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manteo.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 222 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.