The Old Brunswick Town trip started out as an excursion to Southport, NC. The idea was to visit Southport and then take the ferry to Bald Head Island, where we hoped to watch tiny little turtles making their newborn dash to the sea. But when we approached the historical marker for Charles Town (more on that in my next post) and then Brunswick Town, we couldn't resist stopping.
After our stroll through history, we did make it to Southport, but time and a 90% threat of rain chased us away.
But Southport deserves a mention. From the quick auto tour we took, by all appearances, the town seems charming. Coastal-style homes with wide front porches sit on picturesque streets or facing boats bobbing in a marina. According to Coastal North Carolina, Fort Johnston was established here in 1754 and life grew around it until finally, a port city formed. From exploring north carolina's natural areas, I learned of the effort to save old live oaks that once thrived in the area. A sight we missed, but would love to see.
Also from Coastal NC, we learned Southport was "one the first places in (North Carolina) to celebrate" Independence Day, and they're now known as the Fourth of July Capital. At least of the state. The author reports thousands of people visit Southport every year to participate in a three-day event to commemorate our nation's liberty, and indeed, we pulled into town on Friday afternoon, July 1st. Rows of small flags lined the sides of roads, and red, white and blue bunting hung from white railings of porches. We headed out of town before the masses arrived!
As I mentioned earlier, Southport is the place to go to catch the ferry to Bald Head Island. According to exploring north carolina, the ferry is also the best way to see the Cape Fear Estuary.
I'll find out next month. Every year on my birthday, we try to visit a new Carolina destination, or enjoy a favorite old one. This year, our destination is Bald Head Island. If I get my birthday wish, I'll not only visit Southport and get a good look at the estuaries, I'll be blessed enough to see iddy-biddy turtles scuttling to the sea.
For information on the Bald Head Island Ferry, click here.
A personal glimpse of outdoor destinations in and around the Carolinas. All photos and content copyrighted.
Showing posts with label Cape Fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cape Fear. Show all posts
Old Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson
As I've shared in the past, during a writers conference one year, while sitting at a table hosted by an editor, someone got me on the subject of the Carolinas. I'm sure they soon regretted that because I talked on and on about the beauty and history found in these states. When I ran out of air, the editor sat back, crossed her arms in dramatic fashion, and with a tired sigh said, "So..." Pause for effect. "You seem to know a lot about history. Tell me..." Pause for effect. "Are you writing a historical?"
Having totally forgotten the house she represented published the genre, I said something along the lines of, "No. You can't take a step around here without walking on history."
This past weekend, we drove down east to explore what I learned was a forgotten, and now, often overlooked piece of history located along the Cape Fear River across from Carolina Beach State Park.
Brunswick Town was established on the banks of the Cape Fear around 1726. It was a place of trade, a place of politics. In the midst of twisted oaks laden with moss, people lived, worked, enjoyed the beauty of life along the majestic river.
But like the port town of Bath, the village began to die out. What was left went up in smoke when British soldiers arrived in 1776. They left behind few remains.
And it stayed that way for a century. But during the War Between the States, the land that was once a busy port town became Fort Anderson. Mounds were built, "one shovel at a time" to create fortifications.
But the war ended, along with the need for Fort Anderson. And for another century, Old Brunswick was once again forgotten.
Until the 1950s. Then, a man who recognized the historical significance of the area launched an effort to find Old Brunswick's remains, and today, guest can stop at the Visitors Center for information before strolling around the grounds first settled by the son of a Carolina governor. It's a quiet walk, disturbed only by other visitors or pelicans flying above in formation. But few residents are found there. Silent sentinels. No one who can tell the stories of Old Brunswick Town.
Those memories have been lost over time. But thanks to those who hoped to preserve the past, Old Brunswick Town hasn't been lost to history.
For more information, go to www.nchistoricsites.org/brunswic/main.htm
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All text and photos are copyright material. Do not use or distribute without author's permission.
Having totally forgotten the house she represented published the genre, I said something along the lines of, "No. You can't take a step around here without walking on history."
This past weekend, we drove down east to explore what I learned was a forgotten, and now, often overlooked piece of history located along the Cape Fear River across from Carolina Beach State Park.
Brunswick Town was established on the banks of the Cape Fear around 1726. It was a place of trade, a place of politics. In the midst of twisted oaks laden with moss, people lived, worked, enjoyed the beauty of life along the majestic river.
But like the port town of Bath, the village began to die out. What was left went up in smoke when British soldiers arrived in 1776. They left behind few remains.
And it stayed that way for a century. But during the War Between the States, the land that was once a busy port town became Fort Anderson. Mounds were built, "one shovel at a time" to create fortifications.
But the war ended, along with the need for Fort Anderson. And for another century, Old Brunswick was once again forgotten.
Until the 1950s. Then, a man who recognized the historical significance of the area launched an effort to find Old Brunswick's remains, and today, guest can stop at the Visitors Center for information before strolling around the grounds first settled by the son of a Carolina governor. It's a quiet walk, disturbed only by other visitors or pelicans flying above in formation. But few residents are found there. Silent sentinels. No one who can tell the stories of Old Brunswick Town.
Those memories have been lost over time. But thanks to those who hoped to preserve the past, Old Brunswick Town hasn't been lost to history.
For more information, go to www.nchistoricsites.org/brunswic/main.htm
---------------------------
All text and photos are copyright material. Do not use or distribute without author's permission.
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