Our home on Roanoke Island is full of rich history. We have been used by the Secotan people far before the English colonists arrived in 1585. Then, there was the conundrum of the Lost Colony in 1587. In the 1800s, we held a Civil War battle after which another colony was created, this one of freed enslaved people called the Freedman's Colony.

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In 1872, only 5 years after the Freedman's Colony dissolved, our lighthouse was built, the Dare Lighthouse. She only had one keeper, Captain George S. Roy. He lit our tower in a historic moment of transition: moving from whale to kerosene oil.

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During World War II, Captain Roy retired, and the government used the lighthouse to search for enemy submarines. After the war, it was left to the Coast Guard.

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New life breathed into our lighthouse in 1950 when the Cove family turned her into our Dare Lighthouse Inn. Louis's Restaurant was added not much later, a sister to her award-winning counterpart in Manteo. First receiving guests in 1952, the inn wasn't officially opened until 1953. However, the same year, a hurricane hit that caused our inn's doors to close for 9 years.

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In 1962, our inn was spruced up and reopened by the Timor family and Louis Boucher. 1965 was when the lighthouse, now automated, shone once again. Today, we carry on these histories and delicious foods and pass them on to you. Relax and enjoy our lawn, beach, and complimentary brunch from Louis's Restaurant. Add to our mission statement. Dare to [          ]!