Knotts Island
Knotts Island is the home for me,
It is between dry land and sea
The Island is lined with marsh and trees,
There's lots of wildlife including bees.
In the winter you hear geese,
Honking, breaking through your peace.
The bay fills up with swans,
And geese flock to the marsh ponds.
Sometimes you hear the shot of a gun,
That means the men are having fun.
They hunt rabbits, foxes and ducks,
Coons nutria and bucks.
In the summer mayflies bite,
And the sun shines very bright.
You can fish and crab on a boat,
Or tan in the sun while sitting on a float.
The biggest building is the school,
All kids go there because it's the rule.
There are two places to eat,
The food is good and the waitresses are sweet.
One ferry is just enough,
But sometimes the water is rough,
You could also take the causeway,
Knotts Island is a great place to stay.
Student poetry by L. Hall
EARLY HISTORY
Some of the land was purchased from Native American Indians, who used to live on the island. Other parts were acquired by land grants from Virginia and North Carolina proprietors. It's name has changed from Jones Island, to Mackay's Island, to Knotts Island. From 1657 to 1720 the name Knott appears in Virginia records. The island remains geographically isolated. There used to be only one entrance to the island- a road that went through the Great Marsh and followed a cow path. Now, residents and tourists can also travel across the Currituck Sound on a free car ferry which is provided by the Department of Transportation.
GOVERNMENT
For many years, KI was a settlement without a state. Today, it is part of Currituck County in northeastern North Carolina. Knotts Island does not have a formal government; however, a citizen can be elected to serve as a County Commissioner and/or as a Member of the Board of Education. For those interested in NC history and politics, Senator Basnight has launched a new website at www.geocities.com/basnight2000.
RELIGION
Early settlers worshipped in meetings held at home because they were too far away from many churches. In 1811, the first Methodist church was built, with one entrance for women and another for men. Then, in 1876, a Baptist church was built.