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

Ray T. Adam's Landing Strip

Photographed By F. Robby, August 15, 2008

1. Ray T. Adam's Landing Strip Marker

Inscription. When Ray T. Adams bought this estate for just $25,000 in 1940, he dreamed of opening a hunt club and selling parcels of land for real estate. He changed the name to the Whalehead Club and invited potential investors, politicians (including Dwight Eisenhower), and public figures (including boxing champion Jack Dempsey) to enjoy hunting on the property.

He built a landing strip on a man-made finger of land beginning in the sound (approximately where the red channel marker is today) and extending across the front lawn. Guests who traveled by airplane arrived at the front door of the house.

The pond that you see was dug in the late 1980s.

[Text with lower left photo:] Ray T. Adams, 1941.

[Text with middle photo:] Excavating the landing strip. Photograph courtesy of Gin Leinneweber

[Text with upper right photo:] Airplane on landing strip. Photograph courtesy of Gin Leinneweber

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

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas

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• Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 36° 22.358′ N, 75° 50.016′ W. Marker is in Corolla, North Carolina, in Currituck County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Ocean Trail (State Highway 12) and Club Road. Marker is within Whalehead Park, southeast of the clubhouse, about 3 tenths of a 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Whalehead Club Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); Duck Blinds (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Waterfowl Resting Area (about 500 feet away); The Knights (about 600 feet away); Corolla Island Bridges (about 600 feet away); Waterfowl Hunting (about 700 feet away); First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks (about 700 feet away); A Nation's Defense (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corolla.

Photographed By F. Robby, August 15, 2008

2. Ray T. Adam's Landing Strip Marker

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 1,769 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2008, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland.