Additional issues of the Hyde County Herald, published out of Swan Quarter, are now available on DigitalNC. These were provided by the Outer Banks History Center and scanned at our Elizabeth City office. Dating from 1939-1945, they join later issues from 1948-1957 which were already shared online thanks to the efforts of staff at Wilson Special Collections Library for the National Digital Newspaper Program. 

One frequently mentioned Hyde County location is Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest natural freshwater lake in the state. In 1934 it was established as a National Wildlife Refuge stewarded by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and it remains a crucial refuge for birds and other wildlife. The Herald talks about the importance of the lake and its wildlife for tourism and the ecosystem. 

During the war years the paper turns to local efforts to support the troops as well as news items about Hyde County residents fighting in the war. The investments in the Naval Auxiliary Air Station at Manteo and facilities at a naval base on Ocracoke show the war’s financial and developmental impact on the coast.

You can view all of the issues of the Hyde County Herald that we have available here. All items we’ve scanned for the Outer Banks History Center are available through their contributor page. Everything we have about Hyde County can be found on the Hyde County page.