There are two trails near the Lost Colony Trailhead parking coordinates. The one closest to N 35° 56.216 W 075° 42.705 can lead to a successful search. Walking the length of the correct trail will introduce you to two fascinating colonies that were once located in these woods. The wrong one will take you to a prohibited area and prove that you did not read the instructions or cannot follow them.
The year was 1587. The English adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh had recruited and sent out a hardy group of 117 men, women, and children to establish the first permanent English settlement in the New World. They landed the ship at Roanoke Island and quickly built a fortification, which they named "The Cittie of Raleigh," as their new, yet ill-fated home. Three years later a ship arrived to re-supply the colony, but not a single English soul was to be found. The Cittie of Raleigh was deserted, with only a single clue to guide the numerous searchers who have since probed the disappearance of the "Lost Colony." That clue was the word "CROATOAN" carved into one of the logs of the fort's palisade. The fate of the Lost Colony has remained one of the most tantalizing unsolved mysteries in American history. The other colony is little-known, but locally significant. During the Civil War, the north end of Roanoke Island was the site of the Roanoke Island Freedman's Colony. It was set up by the Union occupation forces to serve as a refugee camp for former slaves. Most of the occupants had escaped from servitude in nearby North Carolina and Virginia counties, and the population was at times as many as 3,500 people. The camp developed into a thriving community including homes, a school, and several churches. Teachers came from the North, bringing with them assistance for the newly-freed citizens, including free public education, wage earning opportunities, and religious training. After the War many of the residents returned to their former home areas, but a few remained on Roanoke Island. Numerous current Roanoke Island residents can trace their family histories back to the Freedman's Colony.
Today you can explore several nearby points of interest from either end of the trail that goes by this cache. Park near N 35 56.210 W 075 42.536 to explore Ft. Raleigh National Historic Site, which offers restored earthworks, a nature trail, and a museum which depicts both English and Native American life at the time of the Lost Colony. Waterside Theater (N 35 56.339 W 075 42.545) is the site of a summer outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, which began in 1937 and is the nation's longest-running historical outdoor drama. In addition, the Elizabethan Gardens (N 35 56.254 W 075 42.670) contains a formal English garden as well as native Roanoke Island plants. Outdoor displays related to the Roanoke Island Freedman's Colony are located at N 35 55.671 W 75 43.416. What happened to the Lost Colony? And why were the Freedmen so quick to leave their new homes on Roanoke Island? Well, let's just say that they didn't have insect repellent back then...but YOU SHOULD! There is also a slight possibility of encountering a rattlesnake in these woods, so use caution when sticking your hands into dark places. Please be careful to replace the container in a particular position! If not it becomes a beacon to muggles passing by. thanks! IMPORTANT!! This cache was re-worked 10/'07 AND AGAIN IN 2013. When you're close you'll know it, but the prize must still be found!
**Congrats to cold, wet, and persistent First Finders: Mountainramblers!
One last note that might help:
- Cache container is near but not on Park Service property.
- If starting from Lost Colony end of trail look for "Freedom Trail" sign.
- If you see an "Area Closed" sign you are on the wrong trail.
- Cache is in the woods but you do NOT need to BUSHWHACK, follow the trail that leads off from the trail.
- There is only one sign near the cache location and that is a Park Service Boundary sign.
- If you are reading that sign you are not on Park Service property but you are about 40 feet from the container.
- We often get notes that there is signal bounce here, try looking for the container.
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