Snug Harbor History

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 1586 Yeopim

In 1586, Ralph Lane, an English explorer found the Chepanu Indian Village at the neck of the Yeopim River and Creek. Related to the Algonquins of Jamestown, they lived in longhouses and dressed as Indians pictured in the early drawings of John White. Their name was changed to Yeopim in 1650. The lands from the Yeopim to the Little and Alligator Rivers was known as the “Land of Beautiful Women.” The land was granted to James Long in 1681. In the 18th Century, it was known as Point Pleasant, and Mardre’s Point or Road Landing in the 19th Century, and today it is known as Snug Harbor.

Snug Harbor Developers

Developers Ralph W. Blades and Frank Habit of Elizabeth City purchased land from Lester and Loraine Simpson in 1964. The name of their corporation was Yeopim Beach. The development was to be for recreational and investment purposes. The first land holdings were known as Sections A, B, C, and D. The center of activity was the Beach and Park area in Section A. 

The first deeded lot was A29 which was listed as an office on an earlier site map. Frank Habit named the streets in the four sections after the names of Indian Tribes. The site of the present Clubhouse was established in 1966. Other sections were added in 1966-1967.

Yeopim Beach Corporation bought the lot next to Snug Harbor Marina in 1965 from the Simpsons. The first Clubhouse was built on that lot. There were no restrooms, so the Simpsons allowed the use of the Marina facilities. A cement walkway connected the two buildings. 

Snug Harbor Community Church members worshipped there until the new Clubhouse was built. There were benches inside this large, one room building. In 1968 Church members met at the new Clubhouse. 

Snug Harbor Timeline 

1964  Yeopim Beach Corporation purchases 100 acres from Simpsons for Sections A,B,C, & D 

1965 Yeopim Beach Corporation buys a lot next to the Marina for the Clubhouse

1965  Yeopim Beach Corporation purchases land from Nixon/Whidbee heirs for Sections E,F,G,H,J,K,L,M,& P

1968 Roads are paved 

1968 The Clubhouse is built in Section L

1968  A swimming pool is built and operated by Yeopim Swim Club (Pool users pay an additional $25 per year)

1970  Civic League is organized 

1975 Yeopim Beach Corporation relinquishes control to Snug Harbor Property Owners Association 

History Of Street Names 

In 1964, Yeopim Beach Corporation purchased 100 acres from the Simpsons. One of the developers named all these streets in these four sections A,B,C, and D for Indian Tribes. A29 was the first deeded lot. It was used as an office. 

Section A: Apache, Cherokee, Navajo, and Yeopim

Section B: Comanche, Choctaw, Mohawk, Seminole, and Shoshone

Section C: Arapahoe, Crow, Creek, Ute, Micmac, Comanche, and Shoshone

Section D: Blackfoot, Hopi, Huron, Iowa, Micmac, Mohave, and Shawnee

In 1966, the second sections of E, F, G, H, J and K were added. All of these were on the Yeopim River. The Cherokee name continued from Section A. All the other streets were named for trees.

Section E: Beech, Oak, and Cherokee

Section F: Ashe, Cypress, Juniper, Locust, Maple, Pine, Poplar, and Elm

Section G: Cedar, Cherry, Pine, Redwood, and Dogwood

Section H: Dogwood, Hickory, Linden, Spruce, Sycamore, and Willow

Section J: Cacao, Dogwood, Evergreen, and Sassafras

Section K:  Alder, Balsa, Sago, and Evergreen

Jordon Drive is in Section H and is named for a resident. It connects Snug Harbor Road to Dogwood. 

Sections L, M, and N were next to be developed. 

In 1970, a clubhouse and swimming pool were added in Section L. 

Tree names were used for these sections. Arapahoe Trail continued from Section C keeping the Indian name. 

Section L: Chestnut, Fir, Holly, Hemlock, Teak, and Laurel

Section M: Arapahoe, Chestnut, Bay, Cottonwood, Cork, Hemlock, Holly, Laurel, and Walnut

Section N: Fir, Hemlock, and Clark 

Section P was the last to be developed. The streets were named for explorers. Section P was to be used by campers. 

Section P: Clark, Byrd, Cabot, Scott, Columbus, Raleigh, Hudson, and Drake.