COROLLA, NC
It's a painstaking process, but one Doug Twiddy holds near to his
heart - the renovation of a 100 year-old, one-room schoolhouse near the
Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The preservation project began in January when
Twiddy, a north beach realtor, purchased the decaying structure and it's
grounds.
"It's important to me to do what I can to preserve the local history," said
Twiddy. "Our children, grandchildren and visitors deserve to have actual
landmarks where they can and get first-hand appreciation for Corolla's
heritage."
Renovation is scheduled for completion by late June. (M. Cassell
photo)
The project is proceeding smoothly, but slowly. The school's bell tower, with
the original bell, was removed for restoration and the building has been
elevated to allow for construction of a new foundation.
With the underpinnings of the old school now exposed, up-close inspection
reveals a tale of pioneer-style ingenuity and resourcefulness. The rugged 19th
century watermen who originally built the school, apparently used all the local
resources they could find - including large timbers from shipwrecks that were
plentiful along the shores at that time.
"You can see the old wooden pegs, and there's no mistaking these support beams
were once part of a ship," said Contractor Jim Andrews of Kitty Hawk. "They
even used old iron nails that were obviously salvaged off of the beach."
Other exciting finds have been an old chalkboard and the original beadboard,
dating back to the late 1800's. "We've found old doors in recesses behind walls
and some of the original shingles," said Andrews.
As it currently stands, the schoolhouse is painted red, but will be returned to
its original white color with cedar shingles.
American ingenuity---Theses timbers were once part of some ill-fated sailing
ships in the late 1800's. Outerbankers commonly made use of the ocean's salvage
to build their homes and furniture. These support beams found under the Corolla
Schoolhouse after it was raised for restoration, are a prime example. (M.
Cassell photo)
According to newspaper archives, the Corolla school was built on land donated by
a wealthy sportsman who owned considerable property in the area. The Currituck
Sound at the turn of the century was an accessible stopping point along the
Atlantic Flyway for millions upon millions of waterfowl, which logically
popularized it with hunters. It became so popular, in fact, that the area was
dubbed "Sportsman's Paradise" by the northern industrialists who found it to be
the ideal location to build several exclusive hunt clubs.
The once scattered village of Corolla grew to 27 families at that time. Most
villagers were employed as guides, or staff to support the affluent hunt club
clientele. Others were sons and daughters of Coast Guardsmen and lighthouse
keepers stationed at Currituck Beach. The opening of the school saved local
children a 70-mile daily round-trip.
Depletion of the waterfowl population, changes in migration patterns and WWII,
brought an end to the hunt club activity and a drop in Corolla's population.
Today, retired Corolla postmaster, Norris Austin, is the only surviving Corolla
resident who is a former student. Norris was the fourth member of his family to
attend the school, when he entered it in 1944. By 1955, when he graduated, the
enrollment had dwindled to fifteen and finally just five students, according to
records. It closed shortly thereafter.
Soon the bell on the Old Corolla Schoolhouse will chime again. But this time it
won't be for students. Twiddy has not announced what plans they have in store
for the schoolhouse facility.
In any case, it will add to the charm of Corolla Village, where Twiddy is
restoring several other buildings that sit in the shadow of the Currituck Beach
Lighthouse and are within walking distance to the historic Whalehead Club. The
restorations should be completed by late June.
The Corolla Village project is the latest in a series of restorations by Twiddy.
To date, he has restored the Kill Devil Hills Lifesaving Station, the Wash Woods
Coast Guard Station, and the Old Duck Post Office. "It's more than a hobby for
me, I'm deeply committed to preserving the past a much as I am to developing for
the future,' said Twiddy.
Twiddy started his family real estate business in Duck more than 21 years ago
and expanded in 1984 to open the first full-service real estate company in
Corolla. Currently, Twiddy & Company ranks among the largest and most
successful real estate employers on the north beach with more than 450 rental
homes in its inventory.
