Buried under abandoned sand dunes and deep ocean currents are the forgotten ghosts of the Manteo. Join Pirate City Ghosts to learn how this beautiful beachfront became one of the most haunted beaches in America.
A Town Built on Greed, Misfortune, and Mysteries
Known for its abundance of oceanfront views and gorgeous beach homes, Manteo has been a popular vacation spot for more than a century, attracting visitors from all over the country looking for relaxation and the bliss of peace and quiet. What they really find is a vortex of forsaken spirits and eerie occurrences bred from a dark period in the town’s history.
Adventure through the most terrifying areas on the beachfront where you’ll find yourself at the same haunted locations where Outer Banks’ most notable apparitions have been spotted. This seemingly quaint and quiet beach town is home to some of the most intriguing and spine-tingling tales that include formidable ghost ships, distraught apparitions, and the incredible story of Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lost Colony of Roanoke.
They may have been lost but they will never be forgotten while their ghosts still roam the moonlit beaches each night.
What Will I See?
The Lost Colony of Roanoke
Though hailed as a beach lover’s dream, Manteo’s sinister origin story is anything but a seaside walk. The colonization of this tourist town is one that was so harrowing and unprecedented that its retelling has been depicted in various forms of media for decades.
Pirate City Ghosts walks you through the incredible tale of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, with detailed accounts of one of the nation’s biggest mysteries that occurred right here in Manteo. Visit the Roanoke Island Ghost Ship, a replica of the merchant ship that set out with would-be settlers only for the colony to go missing without a trace.
Following a trip to England for more supplies, John Smith returned to the island only to discover that it was uninhabited and that both the settlers and Croatoan Tribe were gone with no signs of a struggle. This dark mystery would spawn the mystique, producing a legend that continues to make its rounds in the Outer Banks to this day.
A Daring Venture With Deadly Consequences
Just over the bridge from Roanoke sits the desolate ghost town of Buffalo City, a shameful piece of land that spawned repulsive acts and ruthless outlaws. A far cry from its soft surroundings, Buffalo City was something out of the Wild West and its savage residents played the part.
Discover the Old Dare County Jail, where the jail cells imprisoned a melting pot of criminals that included bootleggers, thieves, rapists, and murderers. Undesirable individuals were known to hang around the jail, bringing contraband to their jailed friends. In fact, the lax approach to housing criminals was the inspiration for the jail in the Andy Griffith Show.
Of course, the reality was no sitcom. Brawls broke out regularly and mayhem was the general atmosphere on any given day. The evil that illuminated the jail now appears in photographs as orbs are frequently caught by visitors. Employees are also susceptible to the darkness as many have refused to go into the closet that once served as the evidence room. Nobody is immune to the actions of the spirits that remain – including you.
Why is Manteo So Haunted?
The Show Must Go On… Even in Death
The evolution of Manteo made it an ideal place to settle as well as a perfect resort town to visit. Built in 1918 by George Washington Creef, The Pioneer Theater was the top venue for live and cinematic entertainment and, through restoration efforts, continues to be a staple in the community.
But the light-hearted fun takes a balcony seat to eerie phenomena that still occur to this day. Uncover the antics of Mr. H.A. Creef who continues to enforce his stringent rules in the afterlife. More than a decade after his death, Mr. Creef continues to quiet unruly movie-goers, knocking cell phones out of their hands to quiet them as he did in life.
Mr. Creef is not alone in the ghostly antics, though. The murder of makeup artist Brenda Holland has become a Manteo local legend, and so have her bone-chilling attempts to be remembered. Hear the frightening account of her fellow castmates that gathered at the theater for a movie only to be horrified by a scene that featured Brenda’s obituary – a ghastly scene solely witnessed by the group and never to be seen again.
Sadness and Despair Flood The Seaside Town
Quaint and cozy homes line the historic streets of Manteo, each with a unique and sometimes unsettling story to tell. Pirate City Ghosts takes you to the Roanoke Island Inn where the sunny exterior hides a tragic end within its four walls.
Bear witness to the sorrowful final years of Roscoe Jones, the town’s Postmaster turned recluse following the loss of his beloved job. A melancholy Roscoe would retire to his room, remaining there until his death, his spirit remaining there to this day.
Discover chilling sightings of his apparition dressed in his postal uniform heading to work as he did in happier times. Visitors have reported unnerving experiences in the room he locked himself away in, including jewelry moving on its own, the sound of disembodied footsteps, and even a vase being thrown across the room. Keep your cameras ready, he’s known to appear at a moment’s notice.
What’s So Special About the Pirate City Ghosts Tour?
See a Different, Darker Side of a Historic and Beautiful Location
There’s no shortage of ominous history in this resort town. The picturesque beach cottages and charming shops don’t seem so dreamy when you learn of the tragedies and their aftermath that blanket the town. One such tragedy you’ll hear with Pirate City Ghosts is that of Theodosia Burr.
Walk with us to uncover the mysterious and unbelievable tale of the daughter of Vice President Aaron Burr, also known as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton. Her disappearance during her excursion to New York is one that was baffling but creepy sightings of Theodosia’s spirit wandering the beach have led many to believe her misplaced soul now resides here.
A Once-In-A-Lifetime Adventure You’ll Cherish Forever
The Outer Banks is as unique as it is mystifying. From undeniably haunted inns to the enigmas that are born from the sea, the pieces of land that make up this incredible area of the world. Visit the sites that hatched legends known around the nation, such as that of Virginia Dare and the Legend of the White Doe.
Uncover the remarkable yet tragic tale of the woman known as the first English child born in the New World who was transformed into a white doe by an angry, jilted Native American Witch Doctor. Outer Banks Ghosts takes you to the sight where the white doe is often spotted and give you a first-hand look into the unfortunate events that made this legend an integral part of Manteo history, amongst many others.
Explore the Cora Mae Basnight Bridge and hear spine-tingling tales of The Gray Man whose apparition appears as a harbinger of hurricanes destined to make landfall. Though there are several theories about who he is, one thing is certain: his presence is a stern warning that even visitors should adhere to. These tales and more will keep you on the edge of your seat and wanting more!
Be a Part of a Growing Ghostly Community
Whether you’re on a solo trip, traveling with friends, or on vacation with family, the Pirate City Ghosts tour has something for every appetite! This incredible journey through Manteo’s foreboding history will take you to some of the area’s most haunted sites with expert guides bringing these macabre tales to life.
Uncover the Outer Banks’ unbelievably distorted and disturbing past with a group that’s ready to take a dive into the darkness right alongside you. Book your Pirate City Ghosts tour today.
* This is a walking tour and we do not enter privately-owned buildings or private property *
