Tuesday, April 04, 2017

Capt. Bill Gaskill's Pamlico Inn

In the past I have written about the Pamlico Inn on Ocracoke Island.  I recently discovered a January, 1932, article in MotorBoating magazine. The author writes about arriving at Ocracoke on the mailboat, and includes a description of the Pamlico Inn:

"We landed at the hotel pier and were shown a room. There probably isn’t another hotel like it in a thousand miles. Evidently starting with his little two story cottage, Capt. Bill Gaskill, by acting naturally and giving service to people who knew what they wanted has gradually expanded until he can now accommodate probably fifty guests. He specializes in sending out fishing parties, usually to the inlet with guide and bait and furnished bed, board and shelter for a fixed amount a day. Those preferring surf fishing are taken to the ocean beach on a truck. There are few formalities at Bill Gaskill’s – Bill is very apt to have a boat pulled up on the porch for repairs or painting at any time. For conventional or formal persons who cannot leave the rattle-bang of the city behind, who are unhappy without stiff white collars, and cement pavements, and who must be amused by the movies or dance halls or night clubs, the Pamlico Inn cannot be recommended. But, to those who wish to leave our so-called higher civilization behind and get out into the sunshine on clean salt water with blue sky overhead, or tramp the wide sand beaches, Bill Gaskill’s place will appeal."











Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the Ocracoke Water Tank Caper. This is the link: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news032117.htm.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:50 AM

    Your readers many find this interesting this being National Poetry Month. Jack Kerouac lived in Orlando briefly. As we were helping my daughter move into her neighborhood which borders a rather hip enclave and a more upscale neighborhood we were once again distracted by a garage sale sign. We stopped evaluated the items found a lovely pressed,embossed aluminum tray with handles which I gave H. As we were leaving my husband noticed across the street , three doors down, a large Historcal Marker-- the Jack Kerouac House!!!! we turned around, got a closer look and a photo of this adorable Artist in Residence Cottage maintained by donations and supporters of the Jack Kerouac Society. It was here according to reseachers the news was delivered to Jack that his On the Road manuscript would be published. It was a hot 90 degree Florida morning April 1, but that find was way Cool Man, can you dig it.

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  2. Anonymous10:09 AM

    'sunshine on clean salt water with blue sky overhead, or tramp the wide sand beaches'...can i check in now please?

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  3. Marie from PA11:51 AM

    Yes you can, Anon 10:09AM. That is the beauty of Ocracoke. It is still that way after all these years. Though the Pamlico Inn may not be there, there are many lovely places to stay and the local folks are just as laid back and friendly. It is a bit of heaven on Earth. Thanks so much for all your wonderful posts, Philip. They are part of my daily connection to Ocracoke from Pennsylvania.

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