Editing Emerald Isle, North Carolina (section)

==History==
[[Image:Houses at Emerald Isle, North Carolina.JPG|left|thumb|View of an Emerald Isle neighborhood.]]
From about 1 AD to [[Colonial history of the United States|colonial times]], Emerald Isle was home to [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]]. Later, the area was settled by a small number of [[Whaling|whalers]] and [[Fisherman|fishermen]].<ref>[http://www.emeraldisle.net www.emeraldisle.net]</ref>

In the 1920s, Henry Fort, who owned the Emerald Isle beaches and land surrounding them, hoped to open a large summer tourist attraction and ocean resort. Fort worked with developers, but the plans never materialized. After his death, his daughter Anita Maulick inherited Emerald Isle.<ref>[http://www.ncbeaches.com/CrystalCoast/EmeraldIsle Emerald Isle at ncbeaches.com]</ref>

In 1951, seven people purchased the {{convert|12|mi|adj=on}} stretch of island for $350,000 from Anita Maulick.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/history.htm |title=History of Emerald Isle |access-date=September 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724181808/http://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/history.htm |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Emerald Isle was sliced into 54 blocks of {{convert|1000|ft}}, each going from ocean to sound. The partners drew from a hat for the ownership of blocks. Because they wanted Emerald Isle to be family-oriented, the owners limited commercial development and [[mobile home]]s to five blocks each.

In 1960, [[ferry]] service began, providing wider access to the Bogue Banks beaches of modern-day Emerald Isle.<ref name="Emerald Isle at insiders.com">[http://www.insiders.com/crystalcoast/main-overview2c.htm#Heading6 Emerald Isle at insiders.com]</ref>

In 1971, the Cameron Langston Bridge was opened to provide access from [[Cedar Point, North Carolina|Cedar Point]] to the western end of Bogue Banks and Emerald Isle. The bridge, spanning the [[Intracoastal Waterway]], offers a great view of [[Bogue Sound]] and Bogue Banks. The opening of the bridge increased island development.<ref name="Emerald Isle at insiders.com"/>

Emerald Isle is a popular vacation spot for families and is also known for excellent fishing and a wealth of marine life. Its beaches are a favorite location for nesting [[sea turtle]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/turtles/default.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505015038/http://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/turtles/default.htm |archive-date=May 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which are protected by federal law.