The Founding of the Roanoke Colony
In 1587, English settlers led by John White established a colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina. The group included men, women, and children aiming to create a permanent English foothold in the New World. After conflicts with local tribes and supply shortages, White returned to England for reinforcements.
The Colony's Disappearance
When White finally came back in 1590, the settlement was deserted. There were no signs of battle or evacuation, and the word "CROATOAN" was carved into a wooden post. The fate of the "Lost Colony" remains one of America's oldest unsolved mysteries, with no definitive evidence explaining what happened to the settlement on Roanoke Island.
Legacy and Ongoing Research
Archaeological work on and around Roanoke Island continues to examine the colony's history. Researchers study artifacts and early maps to learn more about the settlers' lives and their disappearance. For more background on the region, see the National Park Service page on Roanoke Island history.
