Some of our local names are pretty unusual. Rodanthe, Wanchese, Corolla not pronounced like car…it can be a bit overwhelming for a visitor or a newbie. To add to the confusion, we have at least two stories for every name and every local has their favorite. Two such strangely named locales are the town of Nags Head and the large sand dune there called Jockey’s Ridge. Or should I say, currently called Jockey’s Ridge…

Turns out, it hasn’t always gone by that name. According to Roger Payne, author and expert in Outer Banks history and cartography, the name was originally Jacock Ridge or Hill, named for the family who owned the property in 1753. It was common practice in those days to use surnames to label areas on maps. The name eventually was altered to Jackey around 1882 on some maps and eventually Jockey’s Ridge. However, legend has it that many years ago, a race track encircled the bottom of the hill and spectators would climb to the top to watch. No race track has ever been confirmed. Local lore also says the hand of any eligible young lady making the climb was promised to her companion.

Jockey’s Ridge in the town of Nags Head as seen from above

 Jockey’s Ridge is a medano- a large hill of shifting sands that lacks vegetation. It’s the largest living sand dune on the East Coast and could fill six million dump trucks. Because it is such a prominent landmark, people think that

Nags Head and Jockey’s Ridge are related names, especially since both have an equestrian connotation. Not true!

Nags Head was named so on an early 1738 map by Wimble as it resembled a horse’s head or perhaps it reminded him of one of the areas in his homeland of England named similarly. The most common story of how the town got its name is the legend that early inhabitants would lure ships close to the shoals off shore by leading an old nag horse long the top of the dune, with a lantern around its neck. From sea, this would look like the light from a lighthouse. The ships would then wreck in the shallows where they could easily be plundered by local pirates.

So which origins do you believe? The romantic or the pragmatic?  

For more stories and cool information about the Outer Banks, join us at For the Love of OBX .