Sparsely populated but frequently visited, Hyde County might be North Carolina’s least known yet most historically important county. Carved out of the large Bath County in 1705, Hyde County was initially named Wickham Precinct, named for then Governor John Archdale’s ancestral home near Buckinghamshire, England. In 1712, the county received its first name change, becoming Hyde Precinct, in honor of the current governor and lord proprietor of North Carolina, Edward Hyde. When Bath County was abolished in 1739, the precinct’s name was permanently changed to Hyde County.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina. Since 1934, the US Government has owned Lake Mattamuskeet and it makes up most of Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge. The lake is a favorite wintering spot for migratory birds in the Atlantic Flyway and enjoys a lively tourist trade with about 50,000 visitors annually.
The Octagon House is an historical octagonal house built in 1855 by Dr. William T. Sparrow. The house is an eight-sided, two story frame dwelling siting on a brick pier foundation. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. You can visit it at 30868 US Hwy 264, Engelhard, NC. Tours are held periodically throughout the year.
Built in 1915 as the world’s largest pumping station, the Mattamuskeet Lodge serves as the tourism center point on mainland Hyde County and is part of the Mattamuskeet Wildlife Refuge. When it discontinued operations as a pumping station, it was modeled into a hunting lodge in the 1930’s and remained open until 1974. After that time, the ballroom has been used for weddings, parties and during the annual Swan Days event. It was placed on the National Historic Register in 1980. It is currently closed pending funding to complete renovations. You can visit Mattamuskeet Lodge at 96 Mattamuskeet Road, Swan Quarter, NC.
The MATTIE Arts Center officially opened on the first floor of Hyde County’s Historic 1854 Courthouse in 2012. The building was originally part of the Hyde County Courthouse, which was used by Hyde County government from 1838 to 2002. After flood waters from Isabelle destroyed most of the courthouse building, a new, modern courthouse was built on the original building site. The new courthouse was occupied in 2007. MATTIE Arts Center offers arts and crafts classes to the public and exhibits local and regional art work. You can visit MATTIE Arts Center at 10 Oyster Creek Road, Swan Quarter, NC or visit their website at www.mattieartscenter.org
Ocracoke Lighthouse was built in Hyde County on Ocracoke Island in 1823 by Massachusetts builder Noah Porter. The lighthouse stands 75 feet tall. Its diameter narrows from 25 feet at the base to 12 feet at its peak. Ocracoke Lighthouse is the oldest operating light station in North Carolina. You can visit the Ocracoke Lighthouse on Lighthouse Road, Ocracoke, NC.