The greatest mystery in American history took place right here in North Carolina. The story of how 118 English colonists simply vanished without any trace has become a legend in its own right as an important piece of our history as a state. There are several theories about what may have happened to the ill-fated colony, but there has to be clear, definitive evidence to reach any conclusion. The answer to the centuries-old question may never be answered.

Imagine the horror and despair one must feel upon returning to a land that saw his granddaughter and others left behind. These emotions were surely felt by explorer John White upon realizing that the fellow colonists he left behind in 1587 only to never see them again. The monarchy of England in the late 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I, would not authorize a return voyage for John White until the war with Spain at the time was contained. Upon his return to this land, he and his crew found simple clues, including the letters CRO carved into the tree, but nothing that illustrated the fate of the colonists.

The initial voyage of over one hundred colonists landed on Roanoke island, along the Outer Banks of NC, only to have disappeared before the return of their governor, John White. Their original destination was set to be further north, which was thought to be more suitable for a permanent colony. 

Sir Walter Raleigh has achieved a significant place in American, particularly North Carolina, history that the capitol of our fair state carries his name. His efforts to grow England’s wealth, power and influence were supported by his Queen Elizabeth I, who never actually allowed Raleigh to travel to the New World himself.

The story of the Lost Colony lives on through the magic of live stage performances at Waterside theater each summer since 1937. The play was created by one of North Carolina’s own, Paul Green, who created this masterpiece of theater that has seen famous actors such as Andy Griffith take part in its performance. It was originally produced as a temporary run before attendance numbers proved it could be a permanent fixture of storytelling in Manteo. President Franklin D. Roosevelt even made an appearance during his administration, which is marked by a plague on the grounds of the theater.

Although the efforts by the English to establish a permanent colony on the island of Roanoke would prove disastrous, their desire to do so would continue with the establishment of Jamestown in 1607, which we will explore next.