Bob and Lolly Tupper Papers, PC.5302

Menu

Bob and Lolly Tupper Papers, PC.5302

Abstract

Robert "Bob" and Laura "Lolly" Tupper were residents of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, and briefly owners of the Croatan Inn, a hotel located on North Carolina Highway 12 in Kill Devil Hills around milepost 7.5, from 1968 to 1972. The Bob and Lolly Tupper Papers, 1940-2006 (bulk 1969-1972), documents the Croatan Inn (also known as the Croatan Hotel) The collection contains correspondence, brochures, photographs, clippings, menus, recipes, and other papers.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Bob and Lolly Tupper Papers
Call Number
PC.5302
Creator
Tupper, Laura "Lolly"
Date
1940-2006 (bulk 1969-1972)
Extent
0.400 cubic feet
Language
English
Repository
Outer Banks History Center

Series Quick Links

  1. Collection Contents

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], PC.5302, Bob and Lolly Tupper Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, NC, U.S.A.

Collection Overview

The Bob and Lolly Tupper Papers, 1940-2006 (bulk 1969-1972), documents the Croatan Inn (also known as the Croatan Hotel) located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The collection contains correspondence, brochures, photographs, clippings, menus, recipes, and other papers.

Most of the correspondence consists of letters written by the Tuppers to their regular guests updating them on happenings at the inn at the beginning or end of the season, but also included are a letter regarding the Tuppers' attempt to sell the inn in 1969 (accompanied by a floor plan of the inn) and a letter from a woman named Jan explaining the history of the "Croatan Critique" newsletters in the collection.

Included are several typewritten editions of the "Croatan Critique," a humorous daily newsletter written by the staff designed to poke fun at guests staying at the inn. Many of the issues contain humorous anecdotes related to the drinking habits of the guests and their raucous "cocktail parties." The 12 August 1955 issue contains an account of Hurricane Connie, including a joke "Connie Special" dinner menu featuring items like "fiddler crab juice" and "closed shutter salad." Several issues are missing from the collection.

Other Papers, 1942-circa 1972, includes a pledge on Croatan Hotel stationery signed by numerous guests stating "I to wit and herewith pledge my attendance as a guest at the Croatan Hotel, Kill Devil Hills Beach, North Carolina (Mr. Hitler permitting and Mr. Emperor Hirohito doesn't count) the first two weeks of August 1942." Also included are hotel floorplans, a humorous petition to remove Jimmie Gray from the position of Kill Devil Hills town treasurer, an advertisement for the hotel's Wheel House bar room, blank stationery, membership cards for the Croatan Deck-Bar, and a Croatan Inn "Wooden Nickel."

Photographs largely date from the 1969-1971 seasons (although a handful of earlier photographs are included) and primarily depict the guests, staff, and events held at the Croatan Inn.

Arrangement Note

Folders arranged alphabetically. Material within folders arranged chronologically.

Biographical/Historical

Robert "Bob" and Laura "Lolly" Tupper were residents of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, and briefly owners of the Croatan Inn. The Croatan Inn (also known as the Croatan Hotel) was originally built in the 1930s by Bernie and Russell "Skipper" Griggs. It was located on North Carolina Highway 12 in Kill Devil Hills, about halfway between Nags Head and Kitty Hawk around milepost 7.5. The original inn had 15 bedrooms, an oceanfront dining room, a lounge, and traditional cedar shake siding. On the beach directly in front of the inn lay the remains of the 1921 shipwreck "Irma," on whose deck early guests are said to have had numerous parties.

The inn was eventually sold to the Tupper family in 1968. The Tuppers sold it in 1972 and moved to Virginia, and the property would eventually be repurposed into a restaurant (Papagayo's and, later, Quagmires) before being razed in 2006 to make way for a condominium complex.

Contents of the Collection

1. Brochures and Promotional Material, circa 1940s-1970s

Brochures and Promotional Material, circa 1940s-1970s
Box 1

2. Clippings, 1953-2006

Clippings, 1953-2006
Box 1

3. Correspondence, 1969-1972

Correspondence, 1969-1972
Box 1

4. Croatan Critique Newsletter, 1940-1957

Croatan Critique Newsletter, 1940-1957
Box 1

5. Menus, 1969-1972

Menus, 1969-1972
Box 1

6. Other Papers, 1942-circa 1972

Other Papers, 1942-circa 1972
Box 1

7. Recipes, circa 1969

Recipes, circa 1969
Box 1

8. Photographs, 1942-circa 1972

Crabbing, 1970
Image box 1
Croatan and Staff, 1942, 1970-1971
Image box 1
Dogs at Croatan, circa 1972
Image box 1
Group and Tom Painting Shutters, 1970
Image box 1
The Irma, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, circa 1970
Image box 1
Photographs from Scrapbook, 1969-1971
Image box 1
Sheppards, Tim and Bob, Wheelhouse, 1970-1971
Image box 1
Snapshots (Unidentified People, Storm Damage), circa 1940s-1969
Image box 1

Subject Headings

  • Tupper family
  • Croatan Inn (Kill Devil Hills, N.C.)
  • Hotels--North Carolina--Kill Devil Hills
  • Hurricane Connie, 1955
  • Vacations--North Carolina--Outer Banks
  • Kill Devil Hills (N.C.)--Social life and customs--20th century
  • Outer Banks (N.C.)--Description and travel
  • Acquisitions Information

    Donated by Laura "Lolly" Tupper, June 2010.

    Processing Information

  • Processed by Samantha Crisp, September 2019.