This is adapted in from Philip Howard’s work.

Click here to read the full newsletter post on the Island Inn and Lodge No 194.  

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1897-1901

Michael Lawrence Piland (1861-1920) helps establish Ocracoke Lodge No. 194, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an international fraternal order, and trustees purchase a one-acre tract from James and Zilphia Howard.  Island carpenter Charlie Scarborough builds a two-story wood-frame “Greek Revival” building;  the Odd Fellow’s Lodge is housed on the second floor. Public school was held on the first floor.  

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1917

The Lodge thrives until Piland’s death in 1920 when it becomes dormant and is eventually dissolved.  Benjamin O’Neal buys the building to use as a private residence and contracts with Charlie Scarborough to move it 600 feet to its present location. 

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1940’s

Island native and businessman Stanley Wahab (1888-1967), buys the building for $700.  He opens the first commercial business in the building, the Wahab Coffee Shop, with soda fountain and ice cream bar. It becomes a popular island gathering place. Rooms upstairs became a boarding house.  During WWII, the upper floor is rented as a Navy Officers Club called the "Crow’s Nest.”  In 1948, he moves decommissioned former Navy barracks to the property, and attaches them to the southwest side of the building, and creates the Beachcomber’s Club, a dance hall.

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1950s

On the north-east side of the building, Wahab adds a two-story wing for more guest rooms and a dining room. The “New Silver Lake Inn” offers “rooms with private or connecting bath, studio apartments furnished for housekeeping, complete restaurant, and excellent cuisine.”  In 1957, Ruth and Bill Cochran move to Ocracoke to manage the Silver Lake Inn.  Wilber Gaskill works in the kitchen, Gaynelle Tillet and Geneva Odom are waitresses and Lizzie Scarborough in the housekeeper.

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1960s-90s

By 1960, entrepreneur Doward Brugh purchases the property and renames it the Island Inn.  From 1965–1970, George and Emilie Wilkes own and operate the Inn, then sell it to Bill and Helen Styron.  In 1978, native islander Larry Williams, and his partner, Foy Shaw, buy the Inn. Chester Lynn manages the restaurant. In the late 1980s, luxury suites and a swimming pool are built across the road.  The suites are later converted to condos.  

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1990s-2010

In 1990, Bob & Cee Touhey partner with Anne Shaab and Buffy Warner to purchase the Island Inn.  The Touheys become sole owners in 1992.  In 1998, the third-floor attic of the suites is converted to four villas, and the remaining two floors of the suites are converted to villas in 2003.  In 2007, Cee Touhey and her extended family become sole owners of the Island Inn.

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2010-2018

Personal, financial, and banking issues threaten a foreclosure auction, as family members operate the business for several years.  In 2015, the Inn goes on the market again, with major repairs needed.  In 2018, an ad hoc committee approaches the  Ocracoke Preservation Society to purchase the Inn and save it from destruction.  The OPS Board votes to proceed with support from the Occupancy Tax and TDA Boards.​

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2019-present

In 2019, Hurricane Dorian floods the property and inflicts major damage to the building.  In 2023, OPS demolishes the two damaged sub-standard wings, elevates the historic 1901 IOOF building, and begins restoration. The grounds are landscaped for use as a garden of native vegetation and community meeting space. From 2024, work on restoration of the building progresses as funds become available.​

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