The Lost Colony of Roanoke
An English colony vanished from its island, leaving only one word carved into a post.
What was reported
In 1587, around 115 English settlers, led by John White, landed on Roanoke Island. White's granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was the first English child born in the Americas. White sailed home for supplies, and war with Spain kept him away for three years.
When he returned in August 1590, the settlement was abandoned and its buildings taken down. The word CROATOAN was carved into a post, and CRO into a tree. There was no sign of a struggle, and no one was found.
Explanations offered
Many historians think the colonists moved to Croatoan, now Hatteras Island, or inland, and joined Native American communities; digs on Hatteras and at an inland site have found English objects that may fit. Nothing found so far settles it.
- When
- 1587–1590
- Where
- Roanoke Island, North Carolina, USA
- Witnesses
- John White and his crew
- Status
- Partly explained
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.