Shackleford Banks

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Shackleford Banks is an island off of the coast of North Carolina. It contains a herd of wild horses, scallop, lobster, crabs and various sea animals. It is a tourist and camping site, though reserved for a limited number of people to stay on at one time.

Shackleford Banks is a part of Cape Lookout National Seashore.

In 1713, John Shackleford became the owner of several large tracts of land in Bath County. Among these was a grant of land containing seven thousand acres. This tract on the early maps was known as Sea Banks. It was then, and is now part of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Carteret County.

John Shackleford’s garrison is listed in Colonial Records, January 19, 1712. “John Shackleford at the garrison at the Shackleford Plantation to be allowed to plant Corne on said Plantation, plant, tend and gather Corne during time they keep a garrison there.” This shows troops were stationed at the garrison and the soil was tillable on the Banks during 1712.

John was appointed to see “Every ship drawing eight feet of water anchoring at Shackleford Banks to charge three shillings six pence per foot”.

Today, Shackleford Banks is known for the wild horses that roam there. The National Park Service closely monitors and studies these horses. They provided a glimpse into how horses live in the wild. Although how the horse arrived is still a mystery, legend has it that these horses are actually Spanish Mustangs that survived a shipwreck.

Visitors can take a ferry onto the island from Morehead City, Beaufort, or Harkers Island. You will need to check with the park upon arrival for information on getting to the island. Since the horses roam the island, you may have to search for them. Once you find the horses, it is important to keep your distance from the horses because they are feral. The horse may attack you.

[edit] External links

http://www.nps.gov/calo/ – The National Park Service official site for Cape Lookout National Seashore.
http://www.nps.gov/calo/pphtml/news.html – Cape Lookout National Seashore's news report, including some announcements on births of horses.
http://www.shacklefordhorses.org/ – A non-profit organization looking after the horses of Shackleford Banks.