Diamond City, North Carolina

Diamond City was a settlement on the eastern end of Shackleford Banks, in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. Shackleford Banks is the westernmost island of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, which extends for 56 miles from Beaufort Inlet to Ocracoke Inlet. Originally named Lookout Woods, the title was later renamed to symbolize the black diamonds painted on the Light Station in Shackleford Banks.

In the late 19th century, many small settlements were created along the Shackleford Banks. During this period, Bell's Island, Wade's Shore, Mullet Pond, and Diamond City were created; Diamond City being one of the largest and most notable settlements. Settlers in Diamond City and Shackleford Banks often were referred to as C'ae Bankers. The name was derived from the word Cape (with the removal of the letter p). Due to the San Ciriaco hurricane that struck in August 1899, the approximately 500 residents of the settlement and island decided to move. The last of the residents had left by 1902, and even relocated houses to nearby places such as Harkers Island, Salter Path, and Morehead City.

There are no bridges from the mainland to the site where Diamond City was located or to any other part of the Cape Lookout National Seashore. Visitors must ride a private boat or a passenger ferry to reach the undeveloped Shackleford Banks site. Its isolation caused settlers to use the lands natural materials to meet their needs. Homes were made from shipwreck scraps, mattresses were stuffed with dried seaweed, and oil was rendered from whale blubber.