Ocracoke, North Carolina -
Teach's Hole - Blackbeard Exhibit and Pyrate Specialty Shoppe

One of Ocracoke Island's claims to fame is the infamous pirate, Blackbeard (also known as Edward Teach). In 1718, Lt. Maynard of the Royal Navy was sent by the Virginia governor to "take care" of the pirate. Battle ensued off the coast of Ocracoke, and Maynard was able to kill Blackbeard. Some legends say that Blackbeard endured many gunshots, stab wounds, and beheading before he finally died. Even then, one legend says his headless body swam about Maynard's sloop, "The Ranger," three times before sinking.

Teach's Hole is a museum and pirate gift shop dedicated to the memory of Blackbeard. In the back of the shop lies a small but fun museum, sporting a lifesize doll/manequin decked out to look like Blackbeard. You'll also find a short film about the history of Blackbeard in Ocracoke, weapons-of-choice for pirates, other facts about Blackbeard, and my favorite, the Lego doll display of the pirate beach party that Blackbeard threw for all his pirate friends on the beach of Ocracoke (some dolls come equipped with liquor bottles, others are passed out and Blackbeard himself is a very menacing little Lego man).

There's other "Blackbeard was here" items around the island -- historical markers, a jolly roger restaurant, "Capt'n Teach's Video Arcade," and a motel called "Blackbeard's Lodge" (next to Teach's Hole). [Elizabeth Rydzewski, 07/04/2004]