Bill Harris grew up in Kitty Hawk Village, and he had a fascination with the little town's history. In Up-The-Road Down-The-Road, he tells the village's story from its beginning, including the history of the name and the original owners of the lands.
The Wright Brothers put Kitty Hawk on the map, and they are discussed as well, with the history of the original marker as well as the work done later at Big Kill Devil Hill. But they were just part of a varied story of the people of Kitty Hawk Village. The schools, stores, and the all important post offices all have dedicated chapters, as well as the impact of local churches in the village. And the federal government played a part in the growth of the town, with their life-saving stations and the weather bureau providing not only needed assistance, but needed imployment.
Filled with pictures provided by local families, some never seen before, as well as a map of place names and homes, this is a very informative book. It's one I'm glad I had a small part in getting it published. Of all the things I found interesting in Up-The-Road Down-The-Road, I liked seeing the names of people the best. They all were last names of locals long passed, but those same names were the one my friends had when I was growing up. I'm really proud to have touched this book, even just a little, and I think it's a great addition to my other historical books I have published that tell of what the Outer Banks was like from times not so long ago.