Diamond City, North Carolina

Diamond City was a settlement on the eastern end of Shackleford Banks, in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Shackleford Banks is the westernmost island of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, which extends for 56 miles from Beaufort Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet.[1] Originally named Lookout Woods, the title was later renamed to symbolize the black diamonds painted on the Light Station in Shackleford Banks. [2]

In the late 19th century, many small settlements were created along the Shackleford Banks. During this period, Bell's Island, Wade's Shore, Mullet Pond, and Diamond City were created; Diamond City being one of the largest and most notable settlements.[2] Settlers in Diamond City and Shackleford Banks often were referred to as C'ae Bankers. The name was derived from the word Cape (with the removal of the letter p).[3] Due to the San Ciriaco hurricane that struck in August 1899, the approximately 500 residents of the settlement and island decided to move.[4] The last of the residents had left by 1902, and even relocated houses to nearby places such as Harkers Island, Salter Path, and Morehead City.

There are no bridges from the mainland to the site where Diamond City was located or to any other part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Visitors must ride a private boat or a passenger ferry to reach the undeveloped Shackleford Banks site.[5] Its isolation caused settlers to use the lands natural materials to meet their needs. Homes were made from shipwreck scraps, mattresses were stuffed with dried seaweed, and oil was rendered from whale blubber.[2]

Whaling

Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks in North Carolina were the sites of the only shore-based whaling stations in the Eastern United States south of New York.[6] These locations were ideal for whaling because they were close to the Gulf Stream, which was near the migration path of North Atlantic right and sperm whales.[7][6] Between Cape Lookout and Shackleford Banks was the settlement of Diamond City, the largest town in the area, with a permanent population of around 500.[7]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Cape Lookout National Seashore - Natural Features & Ecosystems (U.S. National Park Service)
  2. ^ a b c Stancil, Ryan (May 27, 2025). "The Diamond City Descendants". Our State. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
  3. ^ Tursi, Frank (September 15, 2014). "Ca'e Bankers". Coastal Review. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  4. ^ RootsWeb: SHACKELFORD-L John Shackelford And Ann Who?
  5. ^ Cape Lookout National Seashore - Plan Your Visit (U.S. National Park Service)
  6. ^ a b McElroy, Jenny (March 1, 2009). "March 1916: The End of North Carolina Whaling". UNC Libraries. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Simpson Jr, Marcus (2006). "Whaling". NCpedia. Retrieved November 29, 2022.

34°38′42″N 76°32′28″W / 34.645°N 76.541°W / 34.645; -76.541


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