United States Weather Bureau Expense Book of Observation Office at Cape Hatteras, N.C., ORG.5051
Abstract
The United States Signal Service was founded in 1860 to provide support for communications and operations of the United States Army. Beginning in the 1870s, the Signal Service constructed weather observation stations across the country in support of a congressionally-mandated national weather service. The Cape Hatteras observation station was founded in 1874. The station's officers warned local Outer Banks residents of approaching storms by word of mouth, by boat, or by dropping announcements over remote islands in sealed tubes. The United States Weather Bureau Expense Book of Observation Office at Cape Hatteras, N.C., 1875-1891, tracks expenditures for the Cape Hatteras office. Expenditures include both goods and services, such as horse hires, boat hires, repairs, transportation, rent (paid to H.W. Styron), and shipment of supplies.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- United States Weather Bureau Expense Book of Observation Office at Cape Hatteras, N.C.
- Call Number
- ORG.5051
- Creator
- United States. Weather Bureau. Cape Hatteras Station (Cape Hatteras, N.C.)
- Date
- 1875-1891
- Extent
- 0.170 cubic feet, 0.010 cubic feet
- Language
- English English
- Repository
- Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], ORG.5051, United States Weather Bureau Expense Book of Observation
Office at Cape Hatteras, N.C., Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.
Collection Overview
The United States Weather Bureau Expense Book of Observation Office at Cape Hatteras,
N.C., 1875-1891, tracks expenditures for the Cape Hatteras office. Expenditures include
both goods and services, such as horse hires, boat hires, repairs, transportation,
rent (paid to H.W. Styron), and shipment of supplies. Beginning in 1891, the title
at the head of each page, "Signal Service U.S.A.," is crossed out and overwritten
with "Weather Bureau," presumably reflecting the reorganization of the United States
Weather Bureau that same year.
Arrangement Note
Chronological
Biographical/Historical
In 1891, the Weather Bureau was separated from the United States Army and absorbed into the Department of Agriculture, and the Cape Hatteras office began referring to itself as the Cape Hatteras Weather Bureau Station. In 1902, the station was moved to a new location in the village of Hatteras, where it remained in operation until 1946. As of 2017, this building still stands and operates as a welcome center.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Donated by H.M. "Skip" Lange, February 2016.