COREY'S HUNT CLUB

Updated May 1, 2014

December 2, 2010. MARSH CAUSEWAY

May 6, 2010. Comment - Brenda Twiford: The Corey Lodge was owned by William E. Corey, President of U. S. Steel, and was built around 1924 on Knotts Island Causeway over the Great Marsh. The steel tower (75 foot steel watch tower) was constructed by Corey enabling him to see poachers on his property. The Club was destroyed by fire in 1940.

January 7, 2011. COREY'S DITCH. Comment Paul Brumley. Dynamite was used to put Corey's Ditch though the marsh in the early 30's. It was about four to six feet wide and used to drain water from Biels Island Bay into Currituck Sound. A North wind increased the water level in the Bay and interfered with the operation of the Club. Over time the force of the water flowing through the ditch widened and deepened it. At the same time Knotts Island Bay became shallower because of less water flowing through it.

April 29, 2014. Photos from Maryanne Blankenship. We parked at the observation tower and walked along the shore towards the bridge.

May 1, 2014. From Tim Williams: We were told at the refuge that the brick structure, last picture, was a septic tank. Maryanne also had a second picture of one. Another one is visible from the causeway. Shortly after you cross the bridge heading to the Island you can see one on the left just where the land goes out into the bay. In the second picture you can see the base for a septic tank with pipe going into it.

From Jane Brumley: Corey’s Club had a windmill & water container. There was a system of pipes that delivered water to Corey's Club & other buildings. Sometimes, if you look closely, you can still see evidence of the pipes. (See photo 2). The club house was adjacent to where the pictures were taken. Of course, much of the area has washed away as evidenced by the recently wash over on the causeway.

Corey was associated with the steel industry and was a contemporary of J.P. Knapp. He was also a supporter of local education and, I believe, purchased one of the early school buses.

I remember father-law, Guy Brumley, telling me about how they wanted the wild ducks & geese cooked. They were cleaned of feathers, then hung in one of the outbuildings until they sort of turned "green "( I guess you could say aged) at which time they were cooked for guests. Mr. Brumley, among other guides, thought no way would they eat that! Guess it was fine dining to the northern gentlemen.

Guy Brumley continued to work at the club when it was sold to Willard Ashburn and he continued to be a guide there for several more years. Willard Ashburn was a well known and respected attorney from Virginia Beach and on the board of Smith Douglas corporation.