This Northeastern North Carolina county - surrounded by the Pamlico Sound, the Alligator and Pungo Rivers, home to North Carolina's largest natural lake --Lake Mattamuskeet--, and bisected by the Intracoastal Waterway - is known as "the land of many waters".

Ocracoke Island, once home to the pirate Blackbeard and now a tourist Mecca, is accessible only by air or water. A 28-car ferry connects Swan Quarter in Hyde County on the mainland with Ocracoke Island, crossing Pamlico Sound in two and a half hours.

With four national wildlife refuges covering over 115,000 acres (including 50,181 acres of Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge) within its bounds, the county is a haven for nature study, bird-watching, hunting, fishing and pursuing a quieter way of life.

Hyde County is one of North Carolina's largest by acreage but has under 5500 residents. Mainland residents make their living farming or commercial fishing while Ocracokians depend heavily on the tourist industry.

The county seat of Swan Quarter, and other communities such as Engelhard, Fairfield, Ponzer, Sladesville and Scranton and the quaint village of Ocracoke lay claim to the fact that there is not one stoplight in the entire county! Take "the road less traveled" and visit this unspoiled country.

About Swan Quarter... the County Seat

In the 1700s, Samuel Swann settled along the Pamlico Sound near the head of Swan Bay. Swann's Quarter was the first name given to this settlement. Beautiful Hyde County was named in honor of Edward Hyde, Governor of North Carolina and a grandson of the Earl of Clarendon.

The courts for Hyde County were held in the courthouse in Bath until 1729. In that year, an act was passed separating the precincts of Beaufort and Hyde and authorizing a courthouse to be built on the land of William Webster. In 1738 a town by the name of Woodstock was laid out on Webster's land. The courthouse at Woodstock burned about 1789, and in 1790 an act was passed moving the courthouse to Bell's Bay or Jasper's Creek.

The county seat was on Jasper's Creek during 1791-1792. A law was passed in 1791 establishing a town on the land belonging to Germain Bernard where the courthouse stands. This town was called German-town. In 1820 the old courthouse was authorized to be sold and a new one erected at Lake Landing or within two miles of it.

In 1836 commissioners were named to purchase land from Zacheriah Gibbs for a county seat, or within one-forth mile of the place called Swan Quarter, and erect a courthouse. This Northeastern North Carolina county on the Inner banks is surrounded by the Pamlico Sound, the Alligator and Pungo Rivers, and is bisected by the Intracoastal Waterway.

About Lake Mattamuskeet

Lake Mattamuskeet is the largest natural lake in North Carolina. It is a shallow body of water averaging only two feet in depth. It is 18 miles long, 5 to 6 miles wide, and contains about 40,000 acres.

"Mattamuskeet" - the rhythmic softness of the Indian name meaning "dry dust" recalls the days when the Mattamuskeet tribe of the Algonquin Indians silently hunted the forest that once grew where Lake Mattamuskeet now lies. Explaining the origin of the lake, some say fires burning deep into the peat soil formed the lake. Another account describes Mattamuskeet Lake and other nearby smaller lakes as being scoured out by a shower of meteors that struck the Carolina coastal plain.

The modern history of Mattamuskeet has been a troubled one. The flat plain between Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds is dominated by extensive swamps, wet savannahs and low pinelands. The limited agricultural areas, generally restricted to ridgelands where suitable drainage is possible, produce corn, soybeans, small grains and truck crops. On the whole, this country has too much rather than too little water, and the idea of draining Lake Mattamuskeet intrigued people for some time. Large scale drainage operations aimed at converting the lake bottom to farmland began in 1914. Patterned after similar projects in Holland, this community was named New Holland. A network of canals was dug, a pumping plant and model community built, only to eventually be abandoned as impractical and too expensive. In 1934 the land was acquired by the United States Government and a waterfowl sanctuary, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, was established. The Civilian Conservation Corps converted the former pumping station into a lodge. Mattamuskeet Lodge was placed on the National Historic Register in 1980.

Boating and sport fishing for largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, bream and other species is permitted on Lake Mattamuskeet and adjacent canals from March 1 through November 1, or as otherwise designated. Fishing for bass, catfish and bream is excellent in the canals and along the lake shore in the spring and fall. herring dipping and blue crab fishing at the water control structures is a very popular sport enjoyed by all age groups. herring dipping is permitted from March 1 to May 15 and crab fishing is permitted year-round from the water control structures. All fishing oriented activities must be conducted in accordance with state regulations. Bow fishing for carp and other rough-fish is permitted during the fishing season.

About Ocracoke Island

Ocracoke Island, accessible only by water or air, is part of Hyde County. It is one of the barrier islands of the Outer Banks of North Carolina where the pirate Blackbeard is known to have once roamed. The Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with the Pamlico Sound on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, its 16 miles of sun-swept wilderness beaches offer something for everyone. Whether you'd like to swim, fish, surf, or just improve your tan, this is the place to visit. Camping facilities are available with two local campgrounds as well as the National Park Service. Dozens of boats are also available for charter fishing.

The quaint village of Ocracoke, on the island's southern soundside, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and includes the 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouse as well as several historic commercial building and over 100 homes. The British Cemetery, the Banker Ponies and dozens of unique shops provide the visitor with an interesting pastime.

On the eastern flyway of many migrating water and land birds, its environs are a birdwatcher's paradise. Hunting is permitted in season and guide service is available.