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Brunswick
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Beaches and
Vicinity Four miles off the coast of Southport and the mainland, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River where it meets the sea, is the island of Bald Head. The island is easily identifiable in the distance by the Bald Head Island Lighthouse. Built in 1817 and retired in 1935, the lighthouse is cataloged as the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina. Once a favorite hiding spot for pirates such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, Bald Head Island is now an affluent residential and resort community of about 214 year-round residents. It can only be reached by the island's private ferry or by personal boat. No cars are allowed on the island — transportation is by golf cart, bicycle or walking. The island is graciously open to the public, and the summer population can reach from 4,000 to 7,000, with visitors renting vacation homes and playing golf (see our Golf chapter for course information). It is probably safe to say this is one of the most unspoiled beach and maritime forest areas on the North Carolina coast. The island's natural beauty is protected, despite residential development as well as a few commercial amenities such as a restaurant, bed and breakfast inns, general store with deli, marina, golf course, specialty store, and golf cart and bike rental business. The island has dunes, creeks, forests and 14 miles of beaches. The 2,000 acres of high land are surrounded by 10,000 acres of salt marshes. The owners have deeded nearby Middle Island and Bluff Island to the state and The Nature Conservancy. The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was formed to ensure that the unique natural resources of the island are maintained and preserved. Turtle nesting on Bald Head Island accounts for 50 percent of all turtle eggs laid in North Carolina. The Sea Turtle Program protects and monitors these wonderful creatures. There is an Adopt-a-Nest Program that pairs concerned humans with turtles in an effort to protect the nest and encourage the hatchlings toward the sea. Studies in which female turtles were tagged have revealed that pregnant turtles return to the same site to lay eggs every other year. Due to the many species of birds found on the island, the Audubon Society conducts an annual count here as part of its national program. A visitor can come for the day by private ferry service from Indigo
Plantation in Southport. The cost is $15 round trip. Day parking in
Southport is $5 or $7, depending on the lot you choose. For a longer stay,
there are many rental accommodations on the island. The cost, compared to
rental on much of the mainland, is on the upper end, but so is the
experience for the visitor who wants to really get away from it all in quiet
style.
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Southport In 1754, Fort Johnston, North Carolina's first fort was established. A small community of river pilots, fishermen and trades people grew up around the fort. In 1792 the town of Smithville was created. In 1808, Smithville became the county seat of Brunswick County. For the remainder of the century, the town made plans to link rail service with the existing river traffic to make the community a major Southern port, and the city was renamed Southport. The town was one of the first areas in the state to celebrate the Fourth of July and is widely regarded as the Fourth of July Capital of North Carolina. History records that in 1795, citizens gathered at Fort Johnston and observed a 13-gun military salute to the original 13 states. In 1813, a Russian warship anchored in the harbor fired a 13-gun salute, and it was on this Fourth of July that fireworks were used for the first time to close the celebration. In 1972, the Fourth of July Festival was chartered and incorporated as the official North Carolina Fourth of July Festival, and it has become a tremendously popular four-day event for residents and visitors alike. Southport is a quaint, historic seaport situated at the confluence of the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape Fear River where it flows out to meet the Atlantic Ocean. The town makes for an interesting daytrip. Leave the car — parking is free — and just walk around as you discover shops, restaurants and pleasing views. It's an extremely casual community that invites visitors to pause and savor a slow pace of life that is fast disappearing in nearby areas. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and history buffs will especially appreciate a visit for its beautiful old homes and historic cemeteries. When in Southport, be sure to check out some of the better-known historic spots. The Captain Thompson Home, for example, offers a glimpse into the life of a Civil War Blockade Runner. The literary set will enjoy a visit to the Adkins-Ruark House, where author Robert Ruark lived as a young boy with his grandparents. Ruark's novels, including The Old Man and the Boy, give readers insight into Southport life years ago. Once known as the best kept secret in North Carolina, this
lovely little village with its live oak–lined streets is being discovered.
New shops, restaurants and hotels are springing up in the area as well as in
the town, affording residents better choices without the necessity of
traveling out of town. New housing developments abound. The Southport Marina
is being completely redone and serious talks and meetings are being held
concerning the possible installation of an international port here. In
addition year-round golf, boating and fishing create an enormously pleasant
environment, making this a popular place for retirement. This is the place
for people who genuinely want to kick back and enjoy beautiful coastal
scenery. With a year-round population of nearly 2,900, there's still plenty
of elbow room. If you fall head over heels for Southport and decide to make
a permanent move, keep in mind that its charm also means that the town
includes some of the area's priciest real estate and most exclusive homes.
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Just across the water from Bald Head Island and Southport is Oak Island, a narrow strip of land that includes Caswell Beach and the Town of Oak Island. Caswell Beach is the site of Fort Caswell, a military stronghold that dates from 1827. Fort Caswell is now owned by the North Carolina Baptist Assembly, which welcomes visitors of all denominations each year. The community has some summer homes, but the area has mostly permanent residences. The year-round population is about 460, but up to 1,500 people can be staying on this part of Oak Island in the summer. You will find a golf club, which is open to the public year round. There is no business district on this portion of the island but it is convenient to the Town of Oak Island and Southport on the mainland. Be sure to visit the Oak Island Lighthouse, which guided seafarers beginning in 1958. In 2003 it was formally declared surplus by the General Services Administration of the U.S. Government and was deeded to the town. Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse (FOIL) has been formed with the purpose of preserving and caring for the lighthouse and the 5 acres of beachfront property that was deeded along with it (see our Volunteer Opportunities chapter). This organization provides tours of the historic structure on a regular basis during the season and by reservation during the rest of the year. As the name implies, the Town of Oak Island is famous for
its beautiful live oaks. Recreational opportunities include a golf course on
the mainland portion of the town, 65 beach-access points, three public
parks, a skate park, a recreation center, tennis courts, miniature golf and
two fishing piers, as well as opportunities for surf fishing. There are a
number of motels, and the business district now includes a Food Lion grocery
store along with the many small shops and restaurants. Though Oak Island is
being discovered along with Southport (with a year-round population of more
than 7,300 in the Town of Oak Island ), it still offers a quiet respite for
a peaceful family vacation. For the most part, a visitor will enjoy renting
a house for an extended vacation. In fact, vacation rental is the liveliest
business here, with more than a dozen vacation rental companies operating on
Oak Island (see our
Vacation Rentals chapter). Recent growth in the area has led to the
development of additional condominium units but they remain in the minority
as far as housing units go. |
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