Fans of Outer Banks take things too far by stealing town’s welcome sign, sheriff says

Fans of North Carolina’s Outer Banks are not above stealing road signs as souvenirs and the town of Avon has become the latest victim.

Avon’s welcome sign vanished “on or around July 30,” according to a news release from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office.

The conspicuous sign — “Welcome to Avon, Historically Named Kinnakeet” — sat at the north end of town.

“This sign is approximately 6 (feet) by 4 (feet) and would have taken a moment to remove and steal, since it was bolted to the posts that were left behind,” the sheriff’s office said.

“We greatly appreciate any assistance in locating those who felt the need to take the sign and a piece of history with them.”

The historic boat-building town on Hatteras Island considers it to be more than just a welcome sign and wants it back, officials say.

“This sign is part of letting those who come here know where they are but also a little history lesson as well,” the sheriff’s office reports.

A similar sign theft was reported in June 2021, when the “Welcome to the Outer Banks” sign south of Nags Head vanished. It was 4 feet high and 8 feet long, McClatchy News reported.

News of the latest theft has gotten hundreds of reactions and comments on social media, some suggesting it may have been a prank and others demanding jail time for the culprits.

“Keep your eyes on auction sites, flea markets, and anywhere anything can be sold online,” one man wrote on the department’s Facebook page.

“Just watch social media. Somebody will be idiotic enough to post about it or they’ll take a picture of it hanging on their house,” another said.

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