Harkers Island was originally known as Craney Island. The Colonial Government deeded the island to Thomas Sparrow in 1714 and Sparrow sold the entire tract to Ebenezer Harker of Boston in 1750. Harker soon moved his family to “Harkers Island" and divided the island into three parts which he willed to his three sons. Those divisions, called Easterd, Westward, and Center, are still the unofficial boundaries for the island to this day.

By 1895, there were still less than thirty families living on the island. The hurricanes in 1896, and 1899 caused the evacuation of Diamond City on Shackleford Banks. Many of those evacuated settled on Harkers Island increasing the population to almost one thousand. The new settlers brought many changes to Harkers Island including new schools, churches, and businesses. Families continued to rely almost entirely on the ocean and sounds for their survival. Boat building and fishing being the main industries. In 1926 the narrow path that ran the length of the island was replaced with what is known as the Island Road. Ferry operations also started that year replacing the “Mail Boat” which had helped supply the locals with the mail and grocery items from Beaufort. In 1939 Harkers Island was the first Electrical co-op to receive its electrical power through a submerged cable from the mainland. A wooden bridge replaced the ferry in 1941, changing the island in some ways forever. Harkers Island now has around twenty five hundred full time residents. The number can easily double in the summer season. Fishing and boat building are certainly still part of the economics here but tourism is fast becoming the main attraction. Cape Lookout National Seashore is only minutes away by local ferries. Their headquarters and visitor center is located at the end of the island along with the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum.

With restaurants, gift shops, full service marinas, vacation rentals, and more, Harkers Island is ready to welcome you to the Crystal Coast. Come and see why all that have come here are forever changed, and why many more continue to come back year after year. “Once you get the Island sand between your toes, your heart will be there forever”.