Kill Devil Hills United States Life Saving Station
"The Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station was built in 1878, one of 11 stations erected along the outer banks at the turn of the century. The life saving service relied on volunteers from the local fishermen and beachmen to bravely respond to the frequent shipwrecks in this sandy barrier island. The station gained further historical significance because of its association with man's first flight. The Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station was located one mile from the Wright Brothers' camp and its crewmen - Bob Wescott, Tom Beacham and W.S. Dough - assisted Orville and Wilbur and were witnesses to their first successful flight. A fourth surfman, John T. Daniels, snapped the photograph which documented this historic first flight. It was later awarded the title "The Photograph of the 20th century". The Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station was moved to this location May, 1986. The move and restoration was achieved with private funds by Sunrise Investment Company."
Kill Devil Hills Life-Saving Station
To visit the 1876-Type Kill Devil Hills Life-Saving Station, take NC Hwy 12 north from Nags Head. As you enter the town of Corolla, continue driving north until you reach the Currituck Beach lighthouse. The life-saving station is located on the left just after you pass the lighthouse.
To visit the Southern Pattern-Type Kill Devil Hills Life-Saving Station, take Hwy. 158 to the town of Kill Devil Hills. Take one of the side roads over to Beach Road, the main road that runs along the beachfront. The station is located about milepost 8 1/2. *** This station has been torn down and no longer exists. ***
The Kill Devil Hills life-saving station was established in 1878 with the construction of an 1876-Type building. This building served until 1933 when the Coast Guard constructed a new Southern Pattern-Type building. When the Coast Guard closed the station, ownership of the property reverted back to its original owners. In 1986, the 1876-Type station building was sold to Doug Twiddy, who moved the building to Corolla, where it is used as a real-estate office of Twiddy & Company.
The Southern Pattern-Type building and property became the home of Diane Baum St. Claire, who was a prominent citizen of Kill Devil Hills. After her passing, the town of Kill Devil Hills became the owner of the station building and property. Developers are eagerly trying to get their hands on this property so that rental properties can be built on this location. On August 18, 2004, the town of Kill Devil Hills voted against a proposal to ban the destruction of any building in the town that is older
These windows are located along the side of the station.
The original water cistern was moved with the station building and remains at the rear of the station.
Photo taken September 11, 2004
Photo taken September 11, 2004
Photo taken September 12, 2004
Photo taken September 12, 2004
Photo taken September 12, 2004
This is the 1933 Southern Pattern-Type station.
The eastern side of the watch room.
View of the western side of the station.
Photo taken September 12, 2004
The eastern side of the station as seen from the beach.
than fifty years until the end of 2004, leaving the fate of this structure and property up in the air. The building sits on private property, so photographs must be taken from the road or the beach. Please be respectful when visiting the station.
