How did Kitty Hawk get its name?
North Carolina is the home of the Wright Brothers’ National Monument and Visitor Center, near Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills. The center contains a recently refurbished replica of the original Wright Flyer as well as other “First Flight” memorabilia. The center commemorates one of America’s historic moments. A nearby sand dune supports the Memorial Pylon.
On the grounds, there are historical markers and a reconstructed hanger and shop. Called Chickahauk by native Indians, some believe “Kitty Hawk” is the closest English pronunciation of the Indian phrase meaning “goose hunting grounds”. Once a remote area, Kitty Hawk has grown into a summer resort area and provides some of the best beach recreation on the North Carolina coast.
