Lost Colony TavernPosts

There is a local Native American legend that tells of a single white doe that roams Roanoke Island where Sir Walter Raleigh’s “Roanoke Colony” had attempted to settle, only to vanish. Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the New World, was member of this “lost colony.”

As legend has it, Virginia, raised by the Croatoan Indians, was claimed by an old and powerful medicine man who, because he could not have her, cast a spell turning her into a white doe. Shot in the heart at the same moment by two special arrows — a pearl-tipped arrow meant to save, and a silver-tipped arrow meant to kill — the white doe returned briefly to her beautiful human form only to die a short time later.

Virginia Dare’s body disappeared at the same time a white doe was seen bounding off into the forest. Even today some claim to have caught glimpses of a fleeting white form late in the evening. Does the spirit of the white doe still roam the woodlands of Roanoke Island?

The elements of this famous Outer Banks legend have been captured in brilliant detail by local artist Britton Ricketts in a new art design available in our “Hop Shop” on t-shirts, stickers, and limited-edition autographed prints. T-shirts are available in three colors: Moss, Plum Raisin, and Black. Stop by soon or purchase at lostcolonytavern.com!

Legends & Folklore of the Outer Banks,
Part Two: To KILL the DEVIL on the HILLS

Not a week goes by that we don't have several people ask us how the town of "Kill Devil Hills" got its name. In response, local artist Britton Ricketts dove into our local folklore and discovered a few different versions of the story, and he has incorporated all of them into a single piece of art that continues the mythology of colonist John Borden and the mystery of The Lost Colony.

During colonial times, rum produced on the Outer Banks was said to be so strong that it could "kill the devil." Around these parts, rum began to be referred to as "kill devil," and the name stuck.

There is also a story in which colonist John Borden, the sole survivor of the Roanoke Colony, defeated the Devil with a fatal game of cards and a jug of rum atop the dune now known as Big Kill Devil Hill.

This incredible original art image is now available as autographed prints, stickers, and t-shirts exclusively in our “Hop Shop” retail location adjacent to the tavern, as well as in our online store at lostcolonytavern.com. The design features the final dying moments of the Infernal One with his empty jug of Outer Banks rum surrounded by playing cards scattered about as John Borden leads his nag and his loyal border collie away across the dunes and into the night.

If you want to purchase this design and can't drop by the tavern, call us at (252) 423-3033 or visit our online store to get this amazing original art design for yourself!

On July 22, 1587, the 118 men, women, and children of the Roanoke Colony first set foot on Roanoke Island and established the first English colony in the “New World.”

On July 22, 2022, the 62 men and women of Lost Colony Tavern work very hard each and every day to bring a uniquely British dining experience to the locals and visitors to Roanoke Island.

Stop by soon and enjoy the food, beer, and spirits of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales without ever leaving the Outer Banks. Cheers!