Nags Head Beach Cottages Historic District

Nags Head Beach Cottages Historic District consists of roughly 40 wood-frame houses with shingle roofing, built primarily in Late Gothic Revival and Queen Anne styles. The cottages line a coastal road and display varied construction methods shaped by the materials available in this beach location.

These houses began appearing in the mid-1800s, built from wood salvaged from shipwrecks that locals collected from the beach. The district expanded slowly over several decades, with building styles changing as new construction methods reached the coastal community.

These cottages remain family-owned properties passed down through generations, with many bearing names that reflect their personal histories. Walking through the district, you notice details and inscriptions on the buildings that show the deep connections families have maintained to their homes over time.

These houses sit within walking distance of each other along a main road, so you can explore the entire district easily on foot. Taking your time and walking slowly helps you observe the architecture and details of each home.

The oldest house here, Spider Villa, was built in the 1840s and still shows the original construction method using shipwreck wood. The newest houses date to around 1885, showing how building techniques evolved over roughly four decades.