In 1585, English explorer John White led a group of colonists to Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina. The colonists were part of an attempt by Sir Walter Raleigh to establish a permanent English settlement in North America.
White and the colonists arrived on Roanoke Island in July 1585 and immediately set about building a settlement. They constructed a fort, a church, and a number of houses. They also planted crops and began to explore the surrounding area.
In August 1585, White returned to England to get more supplies for the colony. He left behind 115 men, women, and children.
When White returned to Roanoke Island in 1587, he found the colony abandoned. The colonists had disappeared without a trace.
The Roanoke Colony has never been found. Its fate remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history.
Other Discoveries by John White
In addition to leading the Roanoke Colony, John White also made a number of other discoveries during his explorations of North America.
* He was the first European to describe the American bison.
* He was the first European to visit the Gulf of Mexico.
* He was the first European to map the Chesapeake Bay.
White's discoveries helped to open up North America to European exploration and settlement. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of American exploration.