View source for Portsmouth, North Carolina

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name                 = Portsmouth Village
| nrhp_type            = hd
| nocat                = yes
| image                = Portsmouth Church Cape Lookout NPS.jpg
| caption              = Portsmouth Church
| location             = North end of Portsmouth Island, Portsmouth, North Carolina
| locmapin             = North Carolina#USA
| architect OR builder =
| architecture         = Bungalow/craftsman, Stick/eastlake
| added                = November 29, 1978
| area                 = {{convert|250|acre}}
| refnum               = 78000267<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>
| coordinates          = {{coord|35|4|11|N|76|3|49.64|W|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Portsmouth''' was a fishing and shipping village located on '''Portsmouth Island''' on the [[Core Banks]] in [[North Carolina]], United States.  '''Portsmouth Island''' is a tidal island connected, under most conditions, to the northern end of the North [[Core Banks]], across [[Ocracoke Inlet]] from the village of [[Ocracoke, North Carolina|Ocracoke]]. The town lies in [[Carteret County, North Carolina|Carteret County]],  was established in 1753 by the North Carolina Colonial Assembly, and abandoned in 1971. Its remains are now part of the [[Cape Lookout National Seashore]].

==History==
[[File:Portsmouth - U.S. Life-Saving Station - 02.JPG|thumb|left|[[United States Life-Saving Service|U.S. Life-Saving]] station (built 1894, decommissioned in 1937)<ref>{{cite web|title=Portsmouth Village Lives|url=http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/upload/Portsmouth-Village-Lives_2011.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226031357/http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/upload/Portsmouth-Village-Lives_2011.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2011|publisher=[[:en:National Park Service|National Park Service]]|access-date=14 July 2014|date=2011}}</ref>]]
[[File:Portsmouth - Post Office and Genaral Store - 01.JPG|thumb|left|Post Office and General Store (built circa 1900, closed in 1959)]]
Ocracoke Inlet was a popular shipping lane during colonial times.  Established in 1753, the town of Portsmouth functioned as a [[lightering|lightering port]], where cargo from ocean-going vessels could be transferred to shallow-draft vessels capable of traversing [[Pamlico Sound|Pamlico]] and [[Core Sound]]s.  Portsmouth grew to a peak population of 685 in 1860.  Though small, Portsmouth was one of the most important points-of-entry along the Atlantic coast in post-Revolutionary America.

In 1846, two strong hurricanes cut [[Oregon Inlet]] and deepened the existing [[Hatteras Inlet]] to the northeast, making Ocracoke Inlet a less desirable shipping lane by comparison.  The waters around Portsmouth's harbor also began to shoal up, hastening its decline as a port.  The Civil War was yet another blow as many people fled to the mainland when Union soldiers came to occupy the Outer Banks.  Many didn't return after the war had ended and the Village of Portsmouth continued its decline, sped along by the occasional hurricane.  The mammoth [[1933 Atlantic hurricane season]] also served as a benchmark in the island's population decline, though more as a focal point of memory and a symbol of decline than the real cause of it.<ref name=hometransformed>{{cite thesis |last1=Taylor |first1=Stephen Jesse |date=2009 |title=A Home Transformed: Narratives of Home, Loss, Longing and the Miniature from Portsmouth Island, North Carolina |type=MA thesis |publisher=University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |doi=10.17615/e5f3-vc19 |url=https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/dissertations/b8515p67x}}</ref>  (These were the same hurricanes that led to the depopulation of the barrier islands on the [[Eastern Shore of Virginia]] and [[Eastern Shore of Maryland|Maryland]].)

A further blow was the decommissioning of the US Life-Saving Station there in 1937, and closing of the post office in 1959. In 1967 Portsmouth Island and village had already been acquired by the [[National Park Service]], then incorporated into the new [[Cape Lookout National Seashore]]. The last two elderly residents, Marian Gray Babb and Nora Dixon, left the island in 1971 after the death of Henry Pigott, who although approximately the same age was essentially their caretaker.<ref name="henry">{{cite web|title=Henry Piggot|url=http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/upload/Henry2000.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217042023/http://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/upload/Henry2000.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2008|publisher=National Park Service|access-date=2 February 2016}}</ref>

In 1978 Portsmouth Village was added to the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name=nris/>{{US Census population
| footnote = 1790-1840:<ref>Olszewski, George, Historian ESC, NPS. 1970. “Historic Resource Study for History of Portsmouth Village, Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina.” D-4. ''National Park Service Historic Site Management''. National Park Service History Electronic Library & Archive. Accessed October 11, 2024. <nowiki>[https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/calo/portsmouth_village.pdf nps.gov]</nowiki>.</ref><br>1840-1980:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Index of /library/publications/decennial |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www2.census.gov}}</ref>
| 1790 = 226
| 1800 = 263
| 1810 = 382
| 1820 = 361
| 1830 = 393
| 1840 = 462
| 1850 = 510
| 1860 = 685
| 1870 = 323
| 1880 = 220
| 1890 = 204
| 1900 = 150
| 1910 = 182
| 1920 = 143
| 1930 = 104
| 1940 = 42
| 1950 = 33
| 1960 = 8
| 1970 = 3
| 1980 = 0
}}

==Life in Portsmouth==
The inhabitants of Portsmouth Village were heavily engaged in fishing and other maritime trades, like piloting and manning vessels, even building a small man-made island, Shell Castle, out of oyster shells for use as a shipping depot. Later, many worked as fisherman and clammers. Much of Portsmouth's population was African American, descending from the slaves brought to the island. After the Civil War, most African Americans left Portsmouth, but some families remained, including the Pigott family, whose descendants were some of the island's last inhabitants: Henry and Lizzie Pigott.<ref name="henry"/> Under [[Racial segregation in the United States|segregation]], black and white children could not legally attend the one-room schoolhouse on Portsmouth Island together.  The state never built a separate school for Blacks, so African Americans who remained on the island in its declining years never received the benefits of a formal education.<ref name=hometransformed/>

Inhabitants of the island lived without electricity, running water or refrigeration.<ref name="henry"/>

==Portsmouth today==
Now, 21 total buildings stand, including about a dozen dwellings and a few out-buildings.  These are maintained as part of the '''Portsmouth Village Historic District'''.<ref name = nrhpinv>{{Cite web | author =Lenard E. Brown| title =Portsmouth Village Historic District | work = National Register of Historic Places – Nomination and Inventory | date =June 1977| url = https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/CR0007.pdf | format = pdf | publisher = North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office | access-date = 2014-08-01}}</ref>  Of these the Salter House/visitor center, the one-room school, the Methodist Church, the Life-Saving Station, Henry Pigott's house and the Post Office/general store are open to the public during the summer. Now, especially during the summers, people often visit the island and camp out overnight on the beach (camping is not allowed in the village).  Facilities are very limited with a compost toilet near the Life-Saving Station and a restroom in the Salter house/visitors center, with no potable water, food, or electricity available.

<gallery mode=packed caption="Historical buildings in the village">
Portsmouth - Theodore & Anne Salter House - 01.JPG|Theodore & Anne Salter House / Visitor Center (built circa 1905)
Portsmouth - Lionel & Emma Gilgo House - 01.JPG|Lionel & Emma Gilgo House (built circa 1926)
Portsmouth - George & Patsy Dixon House - 01.JPG|George & Patsy Dixon House (built circa 1875)
Portsmouth - Ed, Nora, & Elma Dixon House - 01.JPG|Ed, Nora, & Elma Dixon House (built circa 1910)
Portsmouth - Ed & Kate Styron House - 01.JPG|Ed & Kate Styron House (built 1933)
Portsmouth - Walker & Sarah Styron House - 01.JPG|Walker & Sarah Styron House (built circa 1850)
Portsmouth - Washington Roberts House - 02.JPG|Washington Roberts House (built circa 1840)
</gallery>

==Homecoming==
Portsmouth is the location of an increasingly well-known "homecoming," currently celebrated every two years.  The island homecoming has its origins in the early trips made back to the island by families who left prior to the 1960s and was originally affiliated with the Methodist and Primitive Baptist churches, primarily out of [[Cedar Island, North Carolina]], where many inhabitants of Portsmouth had resettled.  The homecoming began as a church- and family-based event but has become increasingly a secular celebration of Portsmouth's heritage, under the aegis of the National Park Service.  Many people who have no direct family connection to the island participate in the homecoming.<ref>[http://www.unctv.org/ourstate/episode103/index.html "Our State" television program, ep 103] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20041221234534/http://www.unctv.org/ourstate/episode103/index.html |date=2004-12-21 }}</ref>

==Access==
[[File:Portsmouth - Portsmouth Flats Road - 17.JPG|thumb|View from a truck driving on Portsmouth Flats Road separating Portsmouth from the rest of the North [[Core Banks]]. The road is usually covered in water. ]]
Portsmouth is reached by a passenger ferry from Ocracoke village.  It is also accessible by four wheel drive vehicles, which cross Core Sound by ferry from [[Atlantic, North Carolina|Atlantic]] and use the beach and tracks on North [[Core Banks]].<ref>[https://www.nps.gov/calo/planyourvisit/ferry.htm Cape Lookout National Seashore: Ferry Services]</ref>

==Portsmouth Island==
Portsmouth Island lies to the east of North Core Banks, to which it is connected at most states of the tide.  The limits of the island are not precisely determined and have varied over time. Older maps use the term for the island between Ocracoke Inlet and Whalebone Inlet (which closed in 1961, now the northern end of North Core Banks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Past, Present and Future Inlets of the Outer Banks Barrier Islands, North Carolina|author=David J. Mallinson|year=2008|url=http://www.ecu.edu/icsp/ICSP/Reports_files/PastPresentAndFutureInletsDec2008.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016221534/http://www.ecu.edu/icsp/ICSP/Reports_files/PastPresentAndFutureInletsDec2008.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-10-16|display-authors=etal}} page 12</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070626232108/http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/science/9/chap3.htm Barrier Island Ecology of Cape Lookout National Seashore, NPS Scientific Monograph No.9, Chapter 3]</ref>)

{{clear}}

==Climate==

According to the [[Trewartha climate classification]] system, Portsmouth, North Carolina has a [[humid subtropical climate]] with hot and humid summers, cool winters and year-around precipitation (''Cfak''). Cfak climates are characterized by all months having an average mean temperature > 32.0&nbsp;°F (> 0.0&nbsp;°C), at least eight months with an average mean temperature ≥ 50.0&nbsp;°F (≥ 10.0&nbsp;°C), at least one month with an average mean temperature ≥ 71.6&nbsp;°F (≥ 22.0&nbsp;°C) and no significant precipitation difference between seasons. During the summer months in Portsmouth, a cooling afternoon [[sea breeze]] is present on most days, but episodes of extreme heat and humidity can occur with [[heat index]] values ≥ 100&nbsp;°F (≥ 38&nbsp;°C). Portsmouth is prone to hurricane strikes, particularly during the [[Atlantic hurricane season]] which extends from June 1 through November 30, sharply peaking from late August through September. During the winter months, episodes of cold and wind can occur with [[wind chill]] values < 15&nbsp;°F (< -9&nbsp;°C). The [[plant hardiness zone]] in Portsmouth is 8b with an average annual extreme minimum air temperature of 17.5&nbsp;°F (-8.1&nbsp;°C).<ref name="USDA">{{cite web|url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/|publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]]|access-date=August 6, 2019|title=USDA Interactive Plant Hardiness Map}}</ref> The average seasonal (Dec-Mar) snowfall total is < 2 inches (< 5&nbsp;cm), and the average annual peak in [[nor'easter]] activity is in February.

{{Weather box	
| width = auto	
| single line = Y	
| location = Portsmouth, NC (1981-2010 Averages)	
| Jan high F  =   	53.1
| Feb high F  =   	54.9
| Mar high F  =   	60.5
| Apr high F  =   	68.4
| May high F  =   	75.5
| Jun high F  =   	82.9
| Jul high F  =   	86.3
| Aug high F  =   	85.7
| Sep high F  =   	81.4
| Oct high F  =   	73.3
| Nov high F  =   	65.3
| Dec high F  =   	56.9
| year high F =   	70.4
| Jan mean F  =   	45.8
| Feb mean F  =   	47.5
| Mar mean F  =   	52.9
| Apr mean F  =   	60.9
| May mean F  =   	68.5
| Jun mean F  =   	76.4
| Jul mean F  =   	80.2
| Aug mean F  =  	79.4
| Sep mean F  =   	75.3
| Oct mean F  =   	66.7
| Nov mean F  =   	58.3
| Dec mean F  =   	49.8
| year mean F =   	63.5
| Jan low F  =   	38.4
| Feb low F  =   	40.1
| Mar low F  =   	45.3
| Apr low F  =   	53.4
| May low F  =   	61.4
| Jun low F  =   	69.9
| Jul low F  =   	74.0
| Aug low F  =   	73.1
| Sep low F  =   	69.2
| Oct low F  =   	60.0
| Nov low F  =   	51.3
| Dec low F  =   	42.8
| year low F =   	56.7
| precipitation colour = green	
| Jan precipitation inch  =   	4.71
| Feb precipitation inch  =   	3.88
| Mar precipitation inch  =   	4.67
| Apr precipitation inch  =   	3.64
| May precipitation inch  =   	3.80
| Jun precipitation inch  =   	4.04
| Jul precipitation inch  =   	4.92
| Aug precipitation inch  =   	7.22
| Sep precipitation inch  =   	6.44
| Oct precipitation inch  =   	5.09
| Nov precipitation inch  =   	4.36
| Dec precipitation inch  =   	3.96
| year precipitation inch =   	56.73
| humidity colour = green	
| Jan humidity    =	70.6
| Feb humidity    =	70.0
| Mar humidity    =	68.2
| Apr humidity    =	68.1
| May humidity    =	70.9
| Jun humidity    =	74.8
| Jul humidity    =	76.9
| Aug humidity    =	76.1
| Sep humidity    =	74.2
| Oct humidity    =	71.0
| Nov humidity    =	72.5
| Dec humidity    =	71.3
| year humidity   =	72.1
| Jan dew point F =	36.8
| Feb dew point F =	38.2
| Mar dew point F =	42.7
| Apr dew point F =	50.3
| May dew point F =	58.7
| Jun dew point F =	67.8
| Jul dew point F =	72.3
| Aug dew point F =	71.2
| Sep dew point F =	66.5
| Oct dew point F =	57.0
| Nov dew point F =	49.5
| Dec dew point F =	40.9
| year dew point F =	54.4
|source 1 = PRISM<ref name=prism>{{cite web|url=http://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/|title=PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University|access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref>}}	
	
	
{{Weather box	
| width = auto	
| single line = Y	
| location = Cape Hatteras, NC Ocean Water Temperature (33 NE Portsmouth)	
| Jan mean F  =   	49
| Feb mean F  =   	46
| Mar mean F  =   	52
| Apr mean F  =   	59
| May mean F  =   	68
| Jun mean F  =   	74
| Jul mean F  =   	78
| Aug mean F  =  	80
| Sep mean F  =   	77
| Oct mean F  =   	70
| Nov mean F  =   	58
| Dec mean F  =   	55
| year mean F =   	64
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web|url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/all_meanT.html|title=Water Temperature Table of All Coastal Regions|access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref>}}

==Ecology==

According to the [[A. W. Kuchler]] U.S. [[potential natural vegetation]] types, Portsmouth, North Carolina would have a dominant vegetation type of [[Live oak]]/Sea Oats [[Uniola paniculata]] (''90'') with a dominant vegetation form of [[Coastal]] [[Prairie]] (''20'').<ref name="Conservation Biology Institute">{{cite web|url=https://databasin.org/datasets/1c7a301c8e6843f2b4fe63fdb3a9fe39|access-date=August 6, 2019|title=U.S. Potential Natural Vegetation, Original Kuchler Types, v2.0 (Spatially Adjusted to Correct Geometric Distortions)}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Portsmouth, North Carolina}}
* [https://www.nps.gov/calo/index.htm National Park Service site]
*[https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/parent/b8515p67x/file_sets/sj139305z A Home Transformed: Narratives of Home, Loss, Longing and the Miniature from Portsmouth Island, North Carolina] (M.A. thesis in Folklore, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2009).  Online resource.
*[http://www.PortsmouthNC.com Portsmouth Island Ferry]
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=portsmouth+nc&ll=34.97994,-76.137314&spn=0.297617,0.816422&t=h Google map of the island]
*[http://www.PortsmouthIslandfishing.com Portsmouth Island Vehicle and Passenger Ferry]

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box
| title  = Beaches of The Outer Banks
| years  =
| with   =
| before = [[Ocracoke, North Carolina|Ocracoke Island]]
| after  = [[Core Banks, North Carolina|Core Banks]]
}}
{{S-end}}

{{Carteret County, North Carolina}}
{{Outer Banks}}
{{North Carolina barrier islands}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Outer Banks]]
[[Category:Beaches of North Carolina]]
[[Category:Ghost towns in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Geography of Carteret County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Carteret County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Carteret County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Landforms of Carteret County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places on the National Register of Historic Places in North Carolina]]