Quiet little Buxton is located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks (OBX) and is wellknown for two things. Buxton is the location of the famous Hatteras Lighthouse. This is the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States at 208 feet tall. Also Buxton has some of the nation’s finest ocean surf fishing at a location affectionately called by the locals “The Point.”  

Buxton’s residential winter population of slightly under 1400 residents swells in size as the spring weather brings the promise of good fishing. From then on, Buxton remains a fairly active place until the first real sustained cold weather in early January sends the fish to warmer southern waters. Buxton’s economy is virtually based on the seasonal tourism that our local surf fishing and its associated tourism provides us. As you cruise slowly and happily through Buxton at the posted speed limit of 25 mph you can’t help but begin to realize that you have come to a unique and very special place with a rich history that this area seems to want to share with you. With plenty of Hatteras Island tackle shops, restaurants, motels and unique Bed & Breakfasts available, Buxton makes a very inviting place to enjoy your favorite outdoor activity. 

Where Did The Name "Buxton" Come From?

Buxton, six miles south of Avon and just north of Frisco, was listed as "Cape Hatteras Indian Town" on early maps. The first post office, established in 1873, served a community simply called “The Cape.” The name “Buxton” was chosen in 1882 after Judge Ralph P. Buxton (Crumbley and Ertzberger 1988). The name “Indian Town” came from a population of American Indians that resided or camped at the Cape. East Carolina University archaeologist David Phelps recently found large numbers of European trade items at a site in Buxton, from an Algonkian village thought to be the capital of the Croatan chiefdom (Ward and Davis 1999). The native population encountered at European contact was steadily reduced to poverty. In 1714 the North Carolina Council ordered that the Hatteras Indians be supplied with corn, but the group never recovered. The last reference to Indian inhabitants was in a 1788 deed transferring the “Indian Town” site and more from “Mary Elks, Inden,” to “Nathan Midyett”

Local Controversy Should Become A National Concern!

Currently Hatteras Island is deeply embroiled in some serious issues. Along with the fuel and housing crunch that all American's are feeling, the local businesses and citizens are also forced to take an active roll in defending citizen’s rights to your free and open beaches which have been the trademark of this area. Please don't forget that open beaches has always been the basis of our local economy long before the National Park Service and US Fish and Wildlife promising not to ever close our beaches.

If you would like to read more about the Hatteras Island "beach access" issues please refer to the NPS website and read about why the NPS felt it necessary to close public access to our North Carolina public beaches despite their own statistics showing that it was unnecessary. Please also research the opposing views presented and documented at the Island Free Press. Local Hatteras Island citizens would like our visitors to be better informed before they make any decisions regarding their beach access or eventual loss of it.

Buxton Fishing

Because of its prime location on Hatteras Island in an area that juts out easterly into the Atlantic Ocean, the warm waters of the Gulf Stream come extremely close to Buxton and offer a perfect environment for the early northern migration of many ocean species of fish. When the fish arrive it doesn’t take long for the word to circulate and anglers from all over will line up at “The Point” for an opportunity to catch their own fish of a lifetime.  

Buxton offers two well stocked tackle shops (Red Drum Tackle & Dillon’s Corner) to get fresh bait and excellent advice. Since it is recommended that you let your tire pressure down to 20 psi or less if you are going to drive on the beach, it’s a comfort to know that there are several places in Buxton that you can immediately air back up when you come off the beach.  

Buxton is also the home of the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club with a membership of 900+ strong. CHAC holds an invitational surf fishing team tournament every fall as well as also sending its own members to represent it at several tournaments along the coast. CHAC is a great place for visiting fishermen to make contact and get the most up to date information on what is happening in Buxton.

Hatteras Island Activities Galore!

Here is a list of the many activities available on Hatteras Island for Buxton visitors.

Fishing (surf fishing, offshore fishing, inshore fishing, pier fishing) Wave Riding (surfing, kiteboarding, sailboarding) Bird Watching Beach Horseback Riding Fessenden Center (basketball, softball, soccer, dance, skateboard) Camping and RV's Wall Climbing (Kitty Hawk Kites - Hatteras Landing) Climb Cape Hatteras Lighthouse/ Walk Trails Ferry Ride to Ocracoke - Tour Ocracoke Village and docks

                                                     Enjoy Beautiful Buxton, North Carolina!