Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

OB at Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station

The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station is a seven-acre, eight building complex. It is considered the most complete remaining U.S. L.S.S. stations built from 1848 to 1914. It was the first operational station in North Carolina and is located on the eastern-most point in North Carolina. Today the site is open to the public and contains artifacts, displays, photographs, and other unique items.

The  Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station was decommissioned and closed in 1954. It was abandoned property until it was acquired by a private citizen. In 1974, the private citizen turned the property over to the residents of Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo, NC. They then created the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Chicamacomico Historical Association to own and operate the complex. Limited restoration was done to the buildings up to 1994, when vigorous work began. From 1994 to present, the 1911 Chicamacomico Station is 97% restored and the 1874 Station is 75% restored. The buildings on the site are back in their correct historical location.

Chicamacomico was the scene of the most highly awarded maritime rescue in American history ("S.S. Mirlo", Aug. 16, 1918) and has on display Surfboat No. 1046, the actual boat used in that stunning and dramatic rescue. Chicamacomico was also the scene on on of the last breeches buoy rescues in the state of NC ("Omar Babun", 1954).

Today Chicamacomico is the only place in the United States that performs the full Beach Apparatus Drill reenactment for the public during the summer months. It is also the only Drill reenactment in the world performed by active-duty U.S. Coast Guard personnel.

Well behaved leashed pets are welcome on the grounds of Chicamacomico. Please be aware of sandspurs on the grounds. Your cooperation in cleaning up after your pet is always appreciated.

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