By James D. “Keeper James” Charlet © 2025
We know that most of you really care about the Outer Banks – cherish its natural beauty, love its pristine and uncrowded beaches, its plethora of water sources and numerous recreations with it, the spectacular sunrises and sunsets the same day…and its incredible history. You show a deep appreciation, respect, and you want to help.
How you can help and what to expect – a summary (details at www.OBXcoastguardHPG.com.)
There is a mysterious and solitary building you can’t help but notice as you cross the Oregon Inlet bridge landing on Hatteras Island; it is the 1898 Oregon Inlet Life-Saving Station No. 16/Coast Guard Station No. 176.
This majestic, historic, heroic and orphaned building at the head of Hatteras Island needs your help.
The United States Life-Saving Service is one of the least-known yet is also one of the most fascinating and inspirational aspects in all of America’s storied history. It existed nationally from 1871 until 1915. During their 44-year history, nationwide, using no more than small, open, wooden boats and cork life belts, often in violent and dangerous storms, they responded to over 178,000 lives in peril from shipwrecks…of which they saved, OVER 177,000… one survivor at a time; yet, somehow, America forgot these peaceful heroes. In 1915, the United States Life-Saving Service merged with the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and was renamed the United States Coast Guard.
This remote Oregon Inlet station served faithfully for seventy-three years, saving lives, assisting mariners, sheltering travelers and helping locals. The Coast Guard abandoned it in 1988 in order to build the modern station currently operational on the north side of the Inlet. Since then, it has been neglected, deteriorated and even vandalized. There is a possibility that it could be moved off its Hatteras Island birthplace. We cannot allow that to happen. You can be a vital part of that.
Last January a 501(c)(1) nonprofit was formed for that purpose. There is a comprehensive proposal to not only rescue and repair it, but also to repurpose it to serve millions!
Imagine this: you pull in after a long trip. The first room is a well-stocked Visitors Welcome Center with helpful information, rest rooms and refreshments and a Gift Shop with first-class items. Then, to your surprise, a museum room celebrating all 29 of the Outer Banks U.S. Life-Saving stations, not just itself. More displays thanking the support of sponsors and helpers. Upstairs you come into the Grand Hall. Here is an Event Venue for weddings, birthdays, graduations, corporate events, family reunions, club meetings and so many other gatherings in the most unique, prestigious and picturesque setting in the entirety of the Outer Banks. And there is more! A weather station to learn why so many shipwrecks occurred here; recreations of the original 1898 rooms – kitchen mess, Keeper’s office, rescue equipment in boat room…and the Watchtower. What a view!
Do you want to help create that? Here is what you can do:
· Send a donation via the website above (the Outer Banks Coast Guard History Preservation Group);
· Ask your employer to make a substantial donation or be a corporate sponsor;
· Help spread the good word;
· Put it on your social media posts
· Help correct substantial mis-information:
o The station does NOT need to be moved.
o It is NOT in danger of erosion, acres of land around it
o It is in no more danger of hurricanes than any other OBX building
Send your comments to me and you permission to share them with the appropriate officials to:
James D. “Keeper James” Charlet
Outer Banks Coast Guard History Preservation Group, Founder, Chair & CEO
Respectfully submitted.
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