The Roanoke Colony

The Roanoke Colony was an early English settlement established in 1585 on Roanoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina. It was sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh. The colony struggled with supplies and relations with local Native Americans. After a few years, a supply ship returned in 1590 but found the colony abandoned, with the only clue being the word "CROATOAN" carved into a tree. The fate of the settlers remains a mystery, leading to speculation about their disappearance. Roanoke is often referred to as "the lost colony" and remains a topic of intrigue in American history.