The Outer Banks is steeped in history, dating back 420 years to our 16th century Elizabethan roots as the site of England’s first attempt at colonizing the New World from 1585 to 1587. Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is the acclaimed birthplace of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World. Sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh, the efforts ultimately ended with the disappearance of 116 men, women and children, a mystery that remains unsolved.
       Kill Devil Hills, now covered with vegetation and topped by the Wright Brothers Monument, was bare sand in 1903 when the Wrights flew nearby. They did not launch their flyer off the hill; their significant accomplishment was to leave and return to level ground under power. It was a 12 second, 120 foot flight that launched the Age of Aviation on Thursday, December 17, 1903. Wilbur and Orville Wright were successful in making four flights at the base of the big hill that is now a part of the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
       Perhaps one of the most popular questions in reference to Kill Devil Hills is the origin of the name. Kill Devil Hills, like many of the other local towns, received its name due to the pirates who once called these shores home. One night while taking shore leave, various pirates were sitting in the hills of the area (in reality sand dunes) and drinking moonshine that they said was "strong enough to kill the devil."
       Snooze Landing was built in 1938. It was 30 ft by 30 ft, one story, and had a living room, kitchen, pantry and one bedroom. There was no indoor plumbing so they had to use an outhouse to go to the bathroom. The oceanfront lot was much larger, 300 ft by 300 ft, and the selling price was only $50.00!
       On January 15, 1940, a northeaster storm came through. At about 1:30 am, the wind and waves blew an abandoned 22 ft boat into the north end of the house. The owners, Dee and Betsey, were awakened by the noise and discovered the boat in their house. Dee was 63 years old. He had a heart attack afterwards and died. Betsey named the house after him calling it the “Kill-Dee.” The boat was gone by morning, and Betsey moved to Manteo. She built a new house with a boat sticking out of the front, and was photographed in her flower bed with Dee’s brother.
       The cottage has since been repaired and improved multiple times over the years after being damaged by coastal storms. It was called “The Kill Dee” for over 60 years until the current owners gave it a less morbid name that reflected the aviation heritage that surrounds the house. Not much more than a collection of sand dunes and a lifesaving station in 1903 when the Wright Brothers made history, Kill Devil Hills is now a bustling resort community with a military jet fighter bombing range just 25 miles away. It was flying along the beach to this training range in Navy F-14 Tomcats that the current owner with a call sign “Snooze” (jet fighter nickname) first became attracted to the Outer Banks over 20 years ago. Vowing to return, he finally landed at this beach house.
       In a stark contrast to the Wright brother’s first powered flight over 100 years ago, today you can see F/A-18 military jet fighters from Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach flying high along the coast going to and from the Dare County bombing range. We hope you enjoy the yester-year charm, modern day amenities, and rich aviation history surrounding “Snooze Landing.”