Find Hotels Near The Lost Colony Kill Devil Hills

The Lost Colony in Kill Devil Hills is one of the oldest unsolved mysteries in American history. It began in 1587 when a group of 117 English settlers, led by John White, landed on Roanoke Island off the coast of North Carolina. This expedition was part of Queen Elizabeth I’s attempt to establish an English presence in America.

White, who served as the colony's governor, left the island three years later to return to England for supplies. After a seven year delay caused by war and bad weather, he was finally able to go back to Roanoke Island in 1590. When he arrived, he found that all the settlers had vanished without a trace. There were no traces of violence or other clues that would explain what happened to them and their settlement. The only clue that remained were two carvings on a tree: the word "Croatoan" and a stylized Maltese cross.

It is speculated that either disease may have taken its toll on the colonists or they may have been attacked by Native Americans who lived in nearby villages. Other theories suggest that they attempted to return to England but were lost at sea or they could have assimilated with local native tribes, especially given the “Croatoan” carving found at their abandoned settlement site. While these theories offer possible explanations for what happened to The Lost Colony, none of them have ever been proven conclusively due to lack of evidence.

Today, hundreds of tourists visit Roanoke Island each year out of curiosity about this mysterious story from American history, often hiking around Fort Raleigh National Historic Park where some believe The Lost Colony once stood. In addition, actors from the nearby outdoor drama “The Lost Colony” reenact events from English exploration and colonization during their performances throughout the summer months each year since 1937 - offering more insight into this age-old mystery.

Despite centuries without any conclusive answers about what happened at The Lost Colony, it continues to fascinate people and remains one of America's most legendary unsolved mysteries - much like Amelia Earhart's disappearance or Jack The Ripper's identity - and offers plenty for historians and sleuths alike to explore and study up close.