Monday, October 5, 2009

Historic Wash Woods Life Saving Station Serves Again - Now as Twiddy's 4x4 Real Estate Office



I rarely do personal updates on this information website but I felt it prudent to let those who follow this site and love the 4x4 Beaches of Carova know that I now operate full time out of the old Coast Guard Station located 8 miles North of the paved road. Twiddy & Company has always had a strong presence in the 4x4 area and service is something we pride ourselves on. Wash Woods, as it is locally known, is uniquely positioned to better serve both Buyers and Sellers with their real estate needs in the off road area and is a hub of information, history, and professional service. When you are next in the area, stop in for a visit, I am here nearly every day.



I thought I would share some photos and history of Wash Woods as there is really no other place like it:

The United States Coast Guard built Wash Woods Station in 1917 to replace an earlier
station a few miles north, and numbered “166” in the chain of stations along the
Atlantic coast. During its years of active duty, Wash Woods housed guardsmen who performed countless brave rescues. When German U-boats were thick off the coast during World War II, Coast Guard stations along the Virginia and North Carolina shores prepared for conflict. At that time, Wash Woods was home to about 30 guardsmen. The lookout tower was constantly utilized and armed patrolmen walked the beach searching for signs of the enemy.


After the war, Wash Woods reverted back to standard pre-war-sized crew until 1949. Records indicate that the station remained active from thereafter with only a single caretaker until officially decommissioned in late 1954 or early 1955. In the years to come, Wash Woods Station served as a private vacation home. In 1988, Doug and Sharon Twiddy bought the station and began restoration. Carpet was stripped to reveal the original heart pine floors and the walls were restored to the original plaster finish. In 2007, the Twiddys rebuilt the boathouse in the likeness of the original structure.


In 2008, the cisterns were rebuilt and steps were taken to begin building a replica of the original lookout tower. The walls are now decorated with a collection of old photos of Wash Woods and Coast Guard memorabilia to share the history of this unique place with those who visit.



Feel free to stop by for a cup of coffee and get the real scoop on what is happening in the 4wd area real estate market. I look forward to seeing you.