Wrightsville Beach

The name, Wrightsville Beach, offers not even a hint of the beautiful and expensive homes, luxurious condos, glorious beaches, great restaurants and tony hotels and motels of this barrier island roughly ten miles east of the Cape Fear River and downtown Wilmington.

Almost completely developed with little room for additional construction, the island ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 feet wide and is nearly four miles long from Masonboro Inlet on the south to Mason Inlet on the north.

Although the year-round population is only about 3,000, it grows tremendously during the warmer months when absentee owners of houses and condos take up residence in their summer homes, and vacationers flock to the myriad of rentals available. This, combined with a large number of daytime visitors to the beach, fondly referred to as daytrippers, makes Wrightsville Beach a very popular and busy place during the tourist season.

Splendid Surfing    back to top

In addition, Wrightsville Beach is probably the best surfing location in the Wilmington area, attracting a large contingency of young folks with all sorts of surfboards. On weekends in particular, if you don’t arrive fairly early in the morning, all the available parking spaces will be filled and you can cruise for hours trying to find one. And don’t plan on using someone’s driveway or condo space - the residents don’t take kindly to that sort of thing, and your vehicle may not be where you left it when you return from the beach.

Of course, Wrightsville Beach was not always the plush vacation and residential area it is today. Early in its history, the island was owned by the State of North Carolina and was known as New Hanover Banks. Originally the island was in two segments separated by an inlet that has since been filled in, with the northern segment known as Shell Island, the site of the present-day Shell Island Resort.

Yacht Club Built    back to top

Between 1791 and 1841, the island became private property, although it remained uninhabited, visited only by hunters and fishermen. However, the area was popular for sailing, and in 1853, the first structure was built, the clubhouse for the Carolina Yacht Club, the third oldest yacht club in the United States. In fact, some of the club members were involved in the Civil War, and blockade runners were active in nearby waters, with three of them supposedly having foundered on the island.

An Early Turnpike     back to top

Following the war, a turnpike, with a surface of oyster shells, was constructed between Wilmington and Wrightsville Sound, and in 1887 the Wilmington Seacoast Railroad laid tracks from the city to the Hammocks, a piece of land to the west of the beach now known as Harbor Island. A footbridge connected the Hammocks with Wrightsville Beach, and development began to pick up.

Rail Line Extended    back to top

Another yacht club, several hotels and some beach cottages were built, and in 1889, the rail line was extended across the Hammocks and Banks Channel to the beach proper, and visitors from Wilmington began to flock to Wrightsville Beach in the summer. In 1899, with only 40 or 50 residents, most of them seasonal, the Town of Wrightsville Beach was incorporated, but unfortunately, later that year a hurricane destroyed it.

The town was soon rebuilt, the rail line became an electric trolley in 1902, and by 1907, 8,700 passengers from Wilmington, New York and other cities made their way to the beach on the “Beach Trolley.” Costing $7,000, a significant sum in those days, Lumina was built at the end of the trolley line in 1905. Consisting of 12,500 square feet, Lumina was three floors of activities including bowling alley, dance hall and shooting gallery.

Road Reaches Mainland    back to top

Lumina was expanded several times, a movie screen was erected 50 feet out in the surf, and in 1910, 600 electric lights were placed on the exterior making it visible for miles. By 1930, the population had grown to 110 residents, but in 1934 a fire destroyed more that 100 cottages and the Oceanic Hotel. Again, the town rebounded and in 1935 a road was built all the way from the mainland to Wrightsville Beach.

Population increased to about 1,500 by 1945, but tragedy struck again in the form of Hurricane Hazel in 1954. With winds of 125 to 140 miles per hour and a storm surge of 12 to 14 feet, Hazel wiped out upwards of 250 houses and damaged 500 more. Again, the town rebuilt, and in 1964 the seven-story Blockade Runner Motor Hotel opened. However, Lumina had deteriorated over the years, and in 1973 was demolished. An era of history came to a close.

Major Hurricane Damage    back to top

Shell Island Resort was built in 1984, but again mother nature struck with hurricanes Bertha and Fran which damaged hundreds of homes and businesses, leveled the dunes and destroyed the two fishing piers. Again the town rebounded to repair the damage and the new concrete, hurricane resistant Johnnie Mercer pier was built.

A number of historical artifacts, photos and exhibits reflecting the history of the town are on display at the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, which also features a 12 foot model of the town in 1910.

You Gotta Eat    back to top

Chances of going hungry on Wrightsville Beach range from slim to none, given the large number of restaurants on the island. Among these is Bluewater, located on the Intracoastal Waterway and offering great views of the passing boat traffic and the adjacent marina. Bluewater’s menu features an eclectic selection of American foods with emphasis on seafood.

Bridge Tender, offering fine seafood since 1976, overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway providing splendid views for diners. Savannah’s, a low country casual restaurant, features fine dining with emphasis on seafood. South Beach Grill, overlooking the anchorage on Banks Channel, is a favorite of locals and offers an exceptional dining experience for both lunch and dinner.

Dockside, overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, features relaxed fine dining in a casual atmosphere. Seafood is the name of the game here.

Just Across The Bridge    back to top

Several outstanding restaurants are located just a stone’s throw from Wrightsville Beach. Jerry’s, located in the last strip mall on Eastwood before you cross the bridge to Wrightsville Beach, features, steaks, seafood, pasta dishes and the most reliably delicious lamb chops you’ll find in the area, all cooked to your order. The restaurant has an extensive wine list as well as a full bar. They also have daily specials that never disappoint.

Also on Eastwood is Opus, located in Lumina Station and featuring contemporary cuisine that focuses on fresh ingredients and inventive use of herbs and spices. Opus also has an outstanding brunch on Sunday’s: you can order as many entrees as you like from a wonderful selection that includes crab benedict, eggs Florentine, fabulous French toast, omelettes cooked to order and lots of other goodies. The restaurant is open daily and has a full bar.

At The Forum    back to top

Two outstanding restaurants, offering very different types of food, are located in the Forum, a tony shopping center on Military Cutoff Road. Zooi Euro Bistro serves wonderful food using the freshest of ingredients. You’ll find flavorful soups, seafood, steaks and the best mussels anywhere on their menu. And if you love dessert, and who doesn’t, try any of dessert offerings. They are so good you’ll swoon. Zooi is open daily for dinner year round and has both a non-smoking dining room and a sofa bar where smokers are welcome.

The very best sushi is the area is found at The Bento Box, a new addition to Wilmington’s restaurant scene. The restaurant, also located at the Forum, is only open Monday through Thursday from noon until 6 p.m. and Friday from noon until 9 p.m. That’s right: the restaurant is not open on weekends because Chef Lee, the owner, decided that his family life is important too. Any type of sushi you might crave is available here and it is made with great skill and care, using only the highest-quality ingredients. Beer, wine and several sakes are offered in the non-smoking restaurant.

There’s Always Something    back to top

After your hunger is sated, you can take advantage of the activities and events on Wrightsville Beach, which are many and varied. Most spectacular is in November when the annual Holiday Flotilla Day in the Park is followed by the delightful Holiday Flotilla Boat Parade at night featuring lighted and decorated boats.

Jazz concerts, Bark in the Park, bocce ball and volleyball tournaments, the Loop fitness trail that circles the inner island plus a kayak and canoe trail through the sound and marshes and other events offered by the Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation Department keep residents and visitors alike busy and active and happy.