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

Waterman's Workhorse

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, July 17, 2024

1. Waterman's Workhorse Marker

Inscription. George Washington Creef didn't just pinch pennies. He used them in place of copper washers costing more than 1 cent apiece. His approach to other technical problems was comparably elegant. Neighbors fishing for shad and other species needed high-capacity, shallow draft boats that could work inside pound nets and sail reliably near wooded shores. Creef's response, the beamy, round bottomed, cleverly rigged shad boat, was soon adopted by watermen throughout the region. It survived the rise of internal combustion engines and the fall of the shad fishery, and in 1987 it become North Carolina's official State Historic Boat. An original Creef shad boat is on display at the Roanoke Island Maritime Museum on the Manteo waterfront.

(caption) The Manteo town parking lot, circa 1900. A shad boat, based on George Washington Creef's innovative retro design, is third from the bottom.

Erected by Outer Banks History Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 35° 55.037′ N, 75° 42.293′ W. Marker is in Manteo, North Carolina, in Dare County. It can be reached from the intersection of Airport Road and Old County Road, on the right when traveling south. On the grounds of the North Carolina Aquarium, near the waterfront. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 374 Airport Rd, 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

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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 Big Deal (within shouting distance of this marker); A Show Boat (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lower Lights (within shouting distance of this marker); A Moveable Feast (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Etheridge, 1842-1900 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Richard Etheridge, 1842-1900 (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Richard Etheridge, 1842-1900 (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Richard Etheridge, 1842-1900 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manteo.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, July 17, 2024

2. Waterman's Workhorse Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on August 20, 2025, by T.L. Zagraniski of Reston, Va, Usa. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.