Corolla in Currituck County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
A Nation's Defense
The Coast Guard’s duties first included the rescue of merchantmen from sinking ships. Mounted beach patrols protected this remote coastline from landing by enemy agents. Soon, the Whalehead Club became a receiving station for Coast Guardsmen waiting reassignment after basic training.
During the Cold War, when the “space race” between the U.S. and Soviet Union reached its peak, the Whalehead Club again contributed to national defense. The Atlantic Research Corporation, specialists in rocket fuel for military and space programs, found Corolla Island’s remote location perfect for the largely classified work they carried out here (1962-1969), including development of a solid rocket fuel that gave the U.S. an advantage over the Soviet Union in the production of large booster rockets.
Picture captions are (top to bottom):
Smoke from a static-firing test. Photograph (provided for the marker) courtesy of Gene and Shirley Austin.
A test motor on a support stand. Photograph (provided for the marker) courtesy of Gene and Shirley Austin.
Fifth Naval District Barracks on Currituck Beach.
Erected by Whalehead Club Curritcuck Heritage Park, Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, N.C. Wildlife Education Resources Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Cold • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1942.
Location. 36° 22.432′ N, 75° 49.892′ 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, alongside the canal, about a 1/4 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. First Swimming Pool on the Outer Banks (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caretaker's Residence (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Boathouse (about 300 feet away); The Knights (about 400 feet away); The Whalehead Club (about 400 feet away); Corolla Island Bridges (about 500 feet away); Waterfowl Hunting (about 500 feet away); Waterfowl Resting Area (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Corolla.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 869 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on April 6, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2014, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.