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Brunswick CountyBeaches & Vicinity |
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 The Three Cape Fear Lighthouses |
Bald Head Island Bald Head Island Historic Tour This guided-tour package may be the most convenient way
for a daytripper to get to know Bald Head past and present. Tours are
offered Tuesday through Saturday from March 15 until Thanksgiving. Call
for tour days after Thanksgiving. The three-hour tour begins with a 10
AM ferry departure and includes visits to Old Baldy Lighthouse, the
Smith Island Museum of History and Captain Charlie's Station. Put into
service in 1817, Old Baldy is the state's oldest standing lighthouse,
the second of three built on the island to guide ships across the Cape
Fear Bar and into the river channel. The tour fee ($40 per adult, $35
per child 12 and younger — subject to change) includes the round-trip
ferry ride, the island tour and an $8 voucher toward the purchase of
lunch at the River Pilot Cafe. Tour guests return to Southport by ferry
at 2:30 PM. Reservations are required and can be made at the above
number. For more information, call (910) 457-7481. You must arrive at
the departure site by 9:30 AM for the 10 AM departure. If you prefer to
linger on the island after the tour, ferries to Southport run every
half-hour. Remember to dress appropriately for the weather and wear
comfortable shoes as the tour requires walking. |
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Brunswick Town /Fort Anderson State Historic Site 8884 St. Philips Rd. SE, off N.C. Hwy. 133, Southport (910) 371-6613 At this site stood the first successful permanent European settlement
between Charleston and New Bern. It was founded in 1726 by Roger and Maurice
Moore (who recognized an unprecedented real estate opportunity in the wake
of the Tuscarora War, 1711-13), and the site served as port and political
center. Russelborough, home of two royal governors, once stood nearby. In
1748 the settlement was attacked by Spanish privateers, who were soundly
defeated in a surprise counterattack by the Brunswick settlers. A painting
of Christ (Ecce Homo), reputedly 400 years old, was among the
Spanish ship's plunder and now hangs in St. James Episcopal Church in
Wilmington. At Brunswick Town in 1765, one of the first instances of armed
resistance to the British crown occurred in response to the Stamp Act. In
time, the upstart, upriver port of Wilmington superseded Brunswick. In 1776
the British burned Brunswick, and in 1862 Fort Anderson was built there to
help defend Port Wilmington. The earthworks of Fort Anderson are 100 percent
intact and one of the best examples of earthworks that exist today.
Occasional church services are still held in the ruins of St. Philip's
Church. Admission to the historic site is free and open to the public all
year, Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 AM until 4 PM. The site is closed
on most major holidays. From Wilmington, take N.C. 133 about 18 miles to
Plantation Road. Signs will direct you to the site (exit left) that lies
close to Orton Plantation Gardens. The site's visitors center offers a gift
shop, a research library, an exhibit hall, a 14-minute slide presentation on
the history of Old Brunswick Town, staff offices and handicapped
accessibility.
The Chapel of the Cross at St. Philip's Southport's oldest church was in continuous
use until Easter Sunday 2004, when St. Philip's dedicated a new 350-seat
church on property across the street. The new church has the traditional
clapboard look on the exterior, a bell tower and carillon. The Chapel of the
Cross at St. Philip's is a beautiful clapboard church erected in 1843,
partly through the efforts of Colonel Thomas Childs, then commander of Fort
Johnston, one block east. It stands beside Southport City Hall. Within the
chapel flies nearly every flag that has flown over the parish since 1741,
including Spanish and British. The building exhibits Carpenter-style Greek
Revival elements, particularly evident in the pediments and exterior wooden
pilasters, as well as English Gothic details. Entrance is made through the
small, square tower, with its louvered belfry, simple exterior arcading and
colored-glass lancet windows. The church's side windows of diamond-paned
clear glass flood the sanctuary with light, illuminating the handsome
tongue-and-groove woodwork on the walls and ceiling. It's a beautiful, quiet
place that remains open 24 hours a day for meditation, prayer or rest as
well as being available for funerals, weddings, healing services and other
religious forums. Guidelines are available for those interested in using the
chapel for religious purposes. |
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The Grove Shaded by centuries-old live oaks and aflame with color in
spring, this is a park to savor — a place in which to drink in the spirit of
old Smithville. The walls and entrances that embrace The Grove were
constructed of ballast stones used in ships more than 100 years ago. Set
back among the oaks, stately Franklin Square Gallery was once a schoolhouse
and then City Hall and now is an art gallery displaying art in several
media. The park is a place to indulge in local legend by taking a drink of
well water from the old pump — a sip that is sure to take you back to a
simpler time. Keziah Memorial Park A shady little park with a gazebo, benches and a partial
view of the waterfront, Keziah Park is notable for its uncannily bent
live oak. Estimated to be 800 years old, the tree is called the Indian
Trail Tree after the legend that it was curved while a sapling by
ancient natives who used it to blaze the approach to their preferred
fishing grounds beyond. It later rooted itself a second time, completing
an arch. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport (910) 457-0003 Read "Gentleman Pirate" Stede Bonnet's plea for clemency, delivered
just before he was hanged; view treasures rescued from local shipwrecks;
see a 2,000-year-old Indian canoe fragment; inspect the fine details of
nearly 100 hand-built ship models; see the military exhibit; learn about
hurricanes, sharks' teeth, shrimping nets and much more in one of the
region's newest and most ambitious museums. Many of the exhibits are
hands-on, and a Jeopardy-style trivia board is a favorite of history
buffs of all ages. The museum boasts an extensive maritime research
library and video collection and is within walking distance of
Southport's restaurants and shopping. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM Tuesday
through Saturday. Admission is $2 for adults age 16 and older, $1 for
seniors (62 and older) and free for children younger than 16. Ask about
periodic special exhibits and lectures. Old Brunswick Jail Have you ever considered visiting a jail? Not an enforced visit, of
course, but one during which you can leave anytime you want. If the thought
intrigues you, consider the Old Brunswick Jail, after all, "It's nothing
like Alcatraz, more like Mayberry." Built in 1904 and in service until 1971,
this two-story structure contains some of the original accoutrement. The
sliding doors to the cells remain, as does the original register of
"residents." There is even some left-over graffiti (including caricatures)
— mainly from the Nixon era. The jail keeper's quarters contains a pot-belly
stove and pictures of the jailers. Then there are the stories — but you'll
have to visit to learn those. The jail opens in April and is open on
Wednesdays and Saturdays through October as well as by appointment for
groups. |
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Old Smithville Burial Ground "The Winds and the Sea sing their requiem and shall
forever more. ..." Profoundly evocative of the harsh realities endured
by Southport's long-gone seafarers, the Old Smithville Burial Ground
(1804) is a must-see. Obelisks dedicated to lost river pilots, monuments
to entire crews and families who lived and died by the sea, and stoic
elegies memorialize Southport's past as no other historic site can. Many
of the names immortalized on these stones live on among descendants
still living in the area. |
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Old South Company |
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Dressed in period costume, local historian Katie
Stewart leads walking tours of Historic Southport telling tales of the
town's history, many with basis in fact. Interesting facts about pirates,
blockade-runners and colonial settlers figure prominently in her stories.
Evening tours focus on ghost stories. Specialty tours are available upon
request, and group rates are available for organizations, clubs, schools and
larger family reunions. To inquire about dates and times or to plan a tour,
call Old South Tour Company at the above number. |
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Orton Plantation Gardens Orton Plantation represents one of the region's oldest historically significant residences in continuous use. The family names associated with it make up the very root and fiber of Cape Fear's history. Built in 1725 by the imperious "King" Roger Moore, founder of Brunswick Town, the main residence at Orton Plantation underwent several expansions to become the archetype of old Southern elegance. It survived the ravages of the Civil War despite being used as a Union hospital after the fall of Fort Fisher and Fort Anderson. Thereafter it stood abandoned for 19 years until it was purchased and refurbished by Col. Kenneth McKenzie Murchison, CSA. In 1904 the property passed to the Sprunt family, related to the Murchisons by marriage, and the plantation gardens began taking shape. In 1915 the family built Luola's Chapel, a Doric structure of modest grandeur available today for meetings and private weddings. The 20 acres of gardens, both formal and natural, are among the most beautiful in the east, consisting of ponds, statuary, footbridges, stands of cypress and centuries-old live oak trees. The elaborately sculpted Scroll Garden overlooks former rice fields. Elsewhere are the tombs of Roger Moore and his family. Camellias, azaleas, pansies, flowering trees and other ornamentals bloom in the spring; later, oleander, hydrangea, gardenia, magnolia, crepe myrtle and annuals burst with color. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some of the alligators that live in the ponds, especially Buster, the 12-foot gator who has lived in the lagoon near the house for many years. The alligators often sun themselves on the banks and can be viewed from the gardens. Touring the gardens takes an easily paced hour or more.
Orton House is still a private residence and is not open to the public. The
gardens are open from March through August, 8 AM to 6 PM, and from September
through November, 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors,
$3 for children ages 6 through 16 and free for children younger than 6.
Season passes and group rates are available. Orton Plantation is off N.C.
133, 15 miles south of Wilmington and 12 miles north of Southport. Nearby
are the historic sites of Brunswick Town
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Priority Sailing |
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David and Carolyn Pryor, both highly experienced
educators and sailors extraordinaire, invite you to participate in their
customized adventure cruises aboard the 52-foot cutter, Carolina Gale.
With a cockpit that comfortably seats six passengers plus crew, a spacious
salon, three queen cabins, two heads, a galley, a navigation center and a
Bimini top for shade, this cruising yacht, luxuriously furnished with
original artwork and hand-woven oriental rugs, provides all the comforts you
need. Priority Sailing provides opportunities to sail on the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. Sailors of various skill levels may participate in the operation of the sailboat, or just sit back and relax. The captains provide information on history, marine life and ecology as well as sailing knowledge and skills. This blue-water cruising sailboat is an excellent choice for birthday and anniversary celebrations, family reunions, a romantic honeymoon or bed and breakfast afloat as well. Morning, afternoon or sunset cruises sail the Atlantic Ocean along Oak Island or Bald Head Island or up the Cape Fear River along Battery Island and the Southport shore. Why not try the romantic Full Moon Cruise? (Check the website for schedule.) Weekend cruise packages are available. The dinghy, Cats Paw, can be used for exploration or trips to shore. The Pryors have been involved with the
Southport Sail and Power Squadron since its inception. (See our
Watersports chapter.) They both have a history of racing and cruising on
numerous sailboats, have achieved Senior Navigator status through the U.S.
Power Squadrons and are licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Interested in
sailing instruction? The Pryors also operate a sailing academy affiliated
with the American Sailing Association. (See our
Watersports chapter.) |
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Progress Energy - Brunswick Plant
Energy Center Have you ever wondered exactly how electricity is
produced by nuclear energy? Nuclear power plants are off limits to the
general public, but in the Visitors Center you can see a model of the
Southport plant, watch it operate and listen to the audio recording
explaining the process. Do you know that one million gallons of water
per minute flow through the power plant in Southport for cooling? You
will find exhibits that show the methods used for keeping sea turtles
from entering the intake canal and for screening fish and other sea
creatures where the water enters the plant, sending them down the "slide
for life" to a holding pond and returning them to their natural
environment. Other exhibits include explanations of used fuel storage, a
small model of a control room, the fission process, energy and more. The
exhibits are open by appointment only, so it's best to call (910)
457-6041 for more information and for a listing of phone numbers. The
center is closed on holidays and weekends. Programs, presentations and
guided tours are available for school and civic groups with advance
arrangements. |
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S/V Kelly Allen Cruises Your sailing dreams can be fulfilled on the
37-foot O'Day center cockpit sloop, Kelly Allen, whether they
include sailing the Cape Fear River, the Intracoastal Waterway or the
Atlantic Ocean. Captain Bob Griffith, licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard, also
serves as Commander of the Southport Sail and Power Squadron with the
grade of Advanced Pilot. He has been sailing the waters of the area since
the year 2000. Sign up for regularly scheduled cruises and share the
experience with new acquaintances or schedule a private charter. |
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Skydive Coastal
Carolinas |
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Have you ever dreamed of flying? Skydive Coastal
Carolinas, a member of the United States Parachute Association, can make
that dream come true! There are several options available. A tandem jump
allows the first-time jumper to experience freefall from approximately two
miles in the sky with the use of a parachute harness built for two people.
This type of jump, accomplished with a certified tandem instructor, allows
you to relax and enjoy the free fall and canopy ride with a minimum of
ground training. As a tandem student you will be required to complete a
brief ground class, usually 30 minutes. Instruction includes an overview of
the jump process, climbing to altitude, exit, opening, canopy control and
landing, and proper function and use of sport skydiving gear. There is even
a videographer available to record the experience for you. There is
skydiving instruction available to train you for Accelerated Free Fall as
well. Experienced, qualified jumpers can participate in beach jumps and
night jumps. |
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Southport Trail This two-mile-long walking tour links 25 historic
landmarks, among them the tiny Old Brunswick County Jail and the Stede
Bonnet Memorial. Architectural beauty abounds along the route, revealing
Queen Anne gables, Southport arch and bow, and porches trimmed in
gingerbread. The free brochure describing this informal, self-guided
chain of discoveries can be obtained at the Southport Visitor Center,
113 W. Moore Street (where the tour begins) Monday through Saturday from
9:30 AM to 4:30 PM in summer. Off-season, call for information at (800)
388-9635. |
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St. Philip's Parish After St. James Episcopal Church left Brunswick Town in
favor of the rival port of Wilmington, the Anglican parish of St. Philip
formed in 1741. In 1754 it began building a brick church at Brunswick, the
seat of royal government in the colony. After struggling with finances and a
destructive hurricane, the church was finally completed in 1768, only to be
burned by the British in 1776 (the colony's first armed resistance to the
Stamp Act occurred nearby at the royal governor's residence). Today, all
that remains of St. Philip's church, the only Colonial church in
southeastern North Carolina, is a rectangular shell — 25-foot-high walls, 3
feet thick — plus several Colonial-era graves (some of which are resurfacing
with time). The ruin's round-arched window ports are intact and suggest
Georgian detailing, but little solid evidence exists about the building's
original appearance beyond some glazing on the brick. Three entrances exist,
in the west, north and south walls, and three, triptych-style windows open
the east wall. Services are still held held periodically within the ruins.
The body of North Carolina's first royal governor (Arthur Dobbs) is reputed
to have been interred at St. Philip's, as he requested, but it has never
been identified. St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Southport was named after
the Colonial parish to perpetuate its memory. |
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Trinity United Methodist Church Built c. 1890 for a total of $3,300, this church is the
third to occupy this site. Today the building features two of the area's
best stained-glass windows (at either side of the sanctuary); handsome,
diagonally paneled walls; and a beaded ceiling (i.e., finished with narrow,
half-round moldings) finished by a 15-year-old carpenter. Emblazoned across
the original front-transom window is the abbreviation "M.E.C.S." (Methodist
Episcopal Church, South) a remnant of the days when the church was split
from its northerly brethren due to the Civil War. The clapboard exterior
includes Shingle-style detailing, a cedar-shingled roof and a gabled bell
tower. Trinity Church stands at the corner of N. Atlantic Avenue, east of
the Fire Department and across the street from the post office. |
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Waterfront Park At the end of Howe Street, you'll come upon this breezy
little park and take in the breathtaking scene at the convergence of the
Intracoastal Waterway, the Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. From the
swings overlooking the waterfront you can see Old Baldy Lighthouse and Oak
Island Lighthouse (the brightest in the nation). Gone are the pirate ships
and menhaden boats, but the procession of ferries, freighters, barges and
sailboats keeps Southport's maritime tradition alive. Stroll or cycle the
Historic Riverwalk trail, an easy 0.7-mile scenic route that meanders from
the City Pier, past the fisheries and the small boat harbor, and culminates
at a 750-foot boardwalk with benches and handrails over the tidal marsh near
Southport Marina. Leave your bike in the rack and walk on to the gazebo for
an unbroken view of the Intracoastal Waterway and the ship channel. It's a
restful, romantic place where the only sounds you're likely to hear are the
cawing of crows and the clank of halyards. |
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Environmental Overlook Trails |
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If you like wandering and looking for wildlife, these
trails are for you. The Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden is located on the trail
behind the Recreation Center at 3003 E. Oak Island Drive. There are elevated
platforms overlooking the path, which includes indigenous trees and flowers
and plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. At the east end of
31st Street (next to the Recreation Center) is Tidal Waves Park, where you
will find a small picnic shelter near the floating dock, which can be used
for launching canoes and kayaks. Canoe/kayak trail maps are available at the
center. The Environment Crossover crosses the Davis Canal, giving an
elevated view of the canal and the wetlands on either side. The trail winds
through the trees to the other side of the island, and a crossover walk
leads to the ocean side, giving a closer view of the salt marsh. Wildlife,
such as snakes, raccoons, deer and various birds, make their appearances
here. The Town of Oak Island has also purchased land at the west end of Oak
Island, where they are preserving the dunes. Paths wander through the dunes
and stop at overlook points where you may chance to see red fox, black
snakes, fiddler crabs, loggerhead sea turtles, raccoons or several species
of shorebirds. |
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Fort Caswell |
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Considered one of the strongest forts of its time, Fort
Caswell originally encompassed some 2,800 acres at the east end of Oak
Island. Completed in 1838, the compound consisted of earthen ramparts
enclosing a roughly pentagonal brick-and-masonry fort and citadel. Caswell
proved to be so effective a deterrent during the Civil War that it saw
little action. Supply lines were cut after Fort Fisher fell to Union forces
in January 1865, so before abandoning the fort, the Caswell garrison
detonated the powder magazine, heavily damaging the citadel and surrounding
earthworks. What remains of the citadel is essentially unaltered and is on
the grounds of the Baptist Assembly of North Carolina, which owns the
property. A more expansive system of batteries and a sea wall were
constructed during the war-wary years from 1885 to 1902. Between the Tuesday
after Labor Day and the Friday before Memorial Day, Fort Caswell is open for
self-guided visits Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 8 AM to
noon. Admission is $3 per person. |
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Museum of Coastal Carolina (910) 579-1016 Standing on the ocean floor would be a wonderful way to experience
the marine environment up close. Visitors to this museum can do the next
best thing — walk through The Ocean Reef. This third-largest natural
seascape diorama in the Southeast is home to life-sized models of
sharks, dolphins, game fish, octopus and crustaceans. The Sea Shore
gallery contains more than 200 shells and a 500-gallon Touch Tank
stocked with sea stars, whelks, horseshoe crabs, sea anemones, spider
crabs, hermit crabs, an assortment of fish and more. The Legacy of the
Loggerhead is a new exhibit where visitors may walk through the dune to
view nests from the interior or watch a video about the life cycle of
loggerhead turtles. Hands-on exhibits and extensive wildlife dioramas
depict the plants and animals that live in the Green Swamp, barrier
islands and coastal plains. You will find an aviary as well. Special
summer programs include: Sea Turtle Life, Touch-Tank Feeding, Beach Fire
and Sea Rescue Vehicles and Live Snake Program. Hours and programs
change seasonally; check the website or call for details. |
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Silver Coast Winery Who would expect to find a winery just 15
minutes inland from the beach? Not just any winery, mind you, but an
upscale, commercial vineyard and production facility situated on 40
acres, surrounded by dense, Carolina woods; a winery that has been
winning gold, silver and bronze medals for their wines since opening in
May of 2002. The folks at Silver Coast Winery invite you to sample wines
in the tasting room, tour the winery and learn about wine making. Their
wine shop includes a large selection of award-winning wines and gifts
(see our
Shopping chapter), and the art gallery offers an eclectic display of
art from local artists. Plan a private party, corporate event or wedding
(see our
Wedding Planning chapter), or just enjoy a picnic lunch in the
breezy gardens. They also host a variety of special events each month
throughout the year. During January and February, opening hours are
Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 PM. March through December hours
are Monday through Saturday 11 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from noon until 5
PM. |
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Ingram Planetarium Ingram Planetarium is named for Stuart
Ingram, a navigator of WWII planes who used the constellations and
planets to chart his way. His quest for sharing his learning led to
founding both the Ingram Planetarium and the Museum of Coastal Carolina.
The planetarium boasts a state-of-the-art facility with a 40-foot dome
theater, which seats 85 people. Programs change seasonally. The
planetarium hosts special sky events, telescope clinics and other
activities, such as laser light shows in December and July. Summer
special programs include Reptiles in the Sky Dome (which includes live
snakes) and a lecture on nesting sea turtles. ViewSpace is an
award-winning exhibit featuring a continuous broadcast of the most
recent updates directly from NASA. The Galaxy Gift Shop is a veritable
storehouse of fun, educational gifts. The planetarium hosts school
groups, Boy and Girl Scout days and children’s programs throughout the
year. |
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The Hurricane Fleet Deep Sea
Fishing Center The Hurricane Fleet Deep Sea Fishing Center, with more
than 30 years experience accommodating passengers, is located in the
middle of the “seafood capital of the world,” where shrimp are a very
large part of the catch. Have you ever wondered just how and where the
shrimp are caught? Why not take a cruise on the 90-foot Hurricane II,
which engages working shrimp boats while their crews explain shrimping
along the Carolinas. You will see dolphin and sharks feed on the
by-catch as the nets are pulled only a few feet from the bow of the
Hurricane II. Most popular among all ages is the Dolphin Adventure
Cruise. Cost is $21 for adults and $18 for children 11 and younger.
Known for their deep-sea fishing experiences, the Hurricane Fleet has an
open party boat for half-day and Gulf Stream fishing, with prices
ranging from $39 to $79. Their fleet of sport-fishing vessels is
available for private charter for inshore, offshore and Gulf Stream
fishing for tuna, dolphin and wahoo. All fishing cruises include bait,
tackle, rod and reel and fishing license. All vessels are U.S. Coast
Guard approved. Call for additional information, cruise schedules, rates
and reservations.
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Continue to
Topsail Island & Vicinity
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