Southport - Brunswick

Directly across the river to the west from downtown Wilmington is Brunswick County, one of the largest and fastest growing of North Carolina’s 100 counties. Not that many years ago, Brunswick County consisted primarily of a sleepy coastal fishing village, Southport, plus a few other towns.

However, in recent years, the world seems to have discovered the area and residential developments are proliferating throughout the county, but concentrating on the Wilmington to Southport corridor along the Cape Fear River and along route 17 to Myrtle Beach.

For quite a while, Southport seemed to escape the commercial and residential development taking place all around it, but in the last few years, the village has seen substantial development in and around town, especially in the area between town and adjacent Oak Island.

Incorporated In 1792    back to top

Southport, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, was originally incorporated in 1792 as Smithville, named after Benjamin Smith, who had served under George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The town had developed because of nearby Fort Johnson plus merchants, fishermen and river pilots who had settled in the area.

Following the Civil War, area businessmen envisioned Smithville becoming a major port in conjunction with railroad transportation that was developing throughout the nation. With that dream in mind, they renamed the town Southport in 1887. Although Southport never became a major port, it did develop as a charming and quaint fishing village and residential community.

Stately Homes, Trees    back to top

The town has many delightful old Victorian-style homes, especially along the waterfront, and magnificent, 200-year-old live oaks shade the streets throughout Southport. The downtown area is a mix of historical old buildings and attractions, lots of shops and restaurants and a delightful waterfront park overlooking the mouth of the river and ship traffic heading upriver to Wilmington’s port.

As Southport gradually became “discovered” by the outside world, residential and commercial development began to take place, especially along the roads linking Southport with Oak Island, the barrier island to the south and west across the Intracoastal Waterway. Soon the area had the usual Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, banks, plazas, restaurants, motels and other commercial enterprises.

Fortunately, development, both residential and commercial, within the town has been relatively controlled and tasteful. A number of the older buildings and homes along North Howe Street have been restored and converted into quaint shops and restaurants, and the new additions of commercial buildings and condos have been designed to fit into the area.

A Trip Back In Time    back to top

Just north of the center of town off North Howe Street you’ll find Franklin Square Park and the Franklin Square Gallery exhibiting art by local and area artists. With its ancient, beautiful and impressive live oak trees shading the entire area, visiting the park is a calming trip back into history.

Maritime Museum    back to top

Nearby on North Howe Street is the North Carolina Maritime Museum housing an extensive display of memorabilia from the nautical history of Southport, the Lower Cape Fear and southeastern North Carolina. For example, read Gentleman Pirate Stede Bonnet’s plea for clemency before they hanged him - you won’t find one of those just anywhere you go.

On the far east side of town, the dock for the Southport to Fort Fisher Ferry can be found, and on the other side of town, the dock for the ferry to Bald Head Island is located near the Indigo Plantation development.

Power Plant Tour    back to top

North of Southport is Progress Energy’s Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant. The plant can’t be toured, but exhibits in the Visitors Center are informative. Nearby, is the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, which dates back to 1726. The ruins of the town, burned by the British in 1776, along with the earthen works of the fort can be toured, and there is an informative visitor center housing artifacts and displays.

Exquisite Gardens    back to top

Further north, off state highway 133, visit the beautiful and impressive Gardens at Orton Plantation. The gracious plantation home is privately occupied and not open for tours, but the five acres of formal and informal gardens are a delight to visit - but keep an eye open for “Whopper,” one of the alligators in residence.

Planned Development    back to top

Probably the first of the modern-day planned developments, St. James Plantation, located five miles south of Southport, is a gated, private residential community situated on the Intracoastal Waterway. On 5,000 acres with 81 holes of golf, marina, restaurant, tennis, pools, clubhouse, fitness center, chapel and even its own fire station, St. James Plantation, begun in 1985, is a community in itself - in fact, as of 1999, St. James Plantation became an incorporated town.

Several other residential developments and plantations combined with golf clubs have been built or are continuing to expand in Brunswick County. These are covered on our Neighborhoods page.