On Staion House Way north of Chicamacomico Way, on the right when traveling north.
An underwater labyrinth of sandbars stretches for 20 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, varying in depth from 3 to 15 feet, causing frequent shipwrecks. One of North Carolina's three great capes, collectively known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, . . . — — Map (db m115691) HM
On Federal Road at Capt Charlies Point Road, on the right when traveling south on Federal Road.
The Cape Fear Lighthouse stood here until it was deactivated and replaced by the Oak Island lighthouse across the mouth of the river. The wrought iron and steel frame of the tower stood 150 feet high and its flashing lens was capable of reaching an . . . — — Map (db m115767) HM
On Federal Road at Capt Charlies Point Road, on the right when traveling south on Federal Road.
These four dwellings were provided by the government for the keepers of the Cape Fear Lighthouse and their families. Captain Charles Swan, the first keeper of the light, lived with his family and staff in these homes from 1903 until 1933. The . . . — — Map (db m115702) HM
On South Bald Head Wynd, 0.1 miles south of Salt Meadow Trail, on the right when traveling south.
Union ships chased the blockade runner Ella ashore on Bald Head Island as she tried to enter Old Inlet on December 3, 1864. Over the following two days, Confederate soldiers from Fort Holmes salvaged goods from the derelict vessel before she . . . — — Map (db m165876) HM
On West Bald Head Wynd at Cape Fear Trail, on the left when traveling south on West Bald Head Wynd.
A rectangular sand bastion, Battery No. 2 mounted a 100-pounder Brooke Cannon and was located about 200 yards east. The site of circular-shaped Battery No. 1 with its 10-inch Columbiad cannon is about 100 yards to the west. It sat upon the south end . . . — — Map (db m165878) HM
On West Bald Head Wynd at Sea Gull Trail, on the right when traveling south on West Bald Head Wynd.
Fort Holmes’s largest earthen battery was built on the southwestern elbow of Bald Head Island to guard Old Inlet for blockade running ships. Its seacoast cannon provided cross-fire with Fort Caswell on Oak Island. Erosion claimed Battery Holmes by . . . — — Map (db m115743) HM
On Light House Wynd at North Bald Head Wynd, on the left when traveling north on Light House Wynd.
Battery No. 4 highlights what remains of Fort Holmes. This crescent-shaped sand bastion mounted two 24-pounder and two 32-pounder cannon to guard against an enemy attack from the direction of East Beach and Bald Head Creek. The battery and a large . . . — — Map (db m115759) HM
On Ballast Stone Ally east of North Bald Head Wynd, on the right when traveling east.
In this area stood the main base camp for Fort Holmes’s garrison troops, and the headquarters of Colonel John J. Hedrick, 40th Regiment NC Troops. The barracks and storehouses were made largely of red cedar lumber and shingles, hewed from Bald Head . . . — — Map (db m115745) HM
This brick structure was built to house the generator for the Cape Fear Lighthouse. A slate roof covers brick walls that are approximately 10-1/2 inches thick. — — Map (db m115696) HM
On Light House Wynd north of North Bald Head Wynd, on the left when traveling north.
Wilmington, North Carolina was the Confederacy's most important Seaport during the Civil War. By 1864, it was the last Atlantic Port open to trade with the outside world. General Robert E. Lee said: “If Wilmington falls, I cannot maintain . . . — — Map (db m165877) HM
On Light House Wynd at Ballast Stone Alley, on the left when traveling west on Light House Wynd.
British troops constructed Fort George to defend Bald Head Island and their warships’ anchorage at the mouth of the Cape Fear River. American forces attacked the fort, but were repulsed, in early September 1776. This was believed to be the first . . . — — Map (db m115744) HM
On Station House Way north of Chicamacomico Way, on the left when traveling south.
U.S.S. Peterhoff served on the Union blockade of the Cape Fear until it was accidentally run into and sunk by the U.S.S. Monticello on March 7, 1864 off bald Head Island’s East Beach. The Peterhoff’s remains are located about . . . — — Map (db m115693) HM
On River Road SE (State Highway 133) south of U.S. 17, on the right when traveling south.
Associate Justice United States Supreme Court, 1799–1804, officer in the Revolution, state Attorney General, Judge. Home was 18¾ mi. S. — — Map (db m215669) HM
On River Road SE (U.S. 133) south of Route 17, on the right when traveling south.
Large Confederate fort stands 13 mi. S. After a strong Union attack it was evacuated Feb. 18, 1865, resulting in the fall of Wilmington. — — Map (db m6437) HM
Erected by Captain John Russell, Commander of His Britannic Majesty's Sloop of War Scorpion, who gave his name to this residence and tract of fifty-five acres of land adjacent to the town of Brunswick. Subsequently owned and occupied by the . . . — — Map (db m22372) HM
Commissioners met here to run boundary in 1764. Popular stop for colonial travelers. Ruins used to establish present state line in 1928. Located 2¾ mi. S.E. — — Map (db m5375) HM
On U.S. 17 near the South Carolina line, on the right when traveling north.
The road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738–39, passed near this spot. — — Map (db m6317) HM
On U.S. 17, 0.4 miles south of Boundaryline Drive NW, on the right when traveling north.
South Carolina. Formed in 1712 from part of Carolina, which was chartered in 1663, it was first settled by the English in 1670. One of the 13 original states.
North Carolina. Colonized, 1585-87, b first English settlers in America; . . . — — Map (db m39649) HM
On Country Club Road (State Highway 133) at Yaupon Drive, on the right when traveling south on Country Club Road.
Seized by N.C. Militia three months before firing on Fort Sumter. Governor Ellis ordered its return to Federal Authority; three miles east. — — Map (db m5834) HM
On Country Club Drive (State Highway 133) south of Yaupon Way, on the left when traveling south.
Category 4 storm made landfall at Long Beach, October 15, 1954, with winds over 140 mph & 17-foot surge. Nineteen people killed in N.C. — — Map (db m5832) HM
On Main Street (Business U.S. 17) south of Mulberry Street, on the right when traveling north.
Established late 1700’s. Incorporated March6, 1899. The Shallotte River was navigated by commercial sailing vessels until the 1920’s when the roads were built. First church building erected on this site circa 1799. — — Map (db m28823) HM
On Plantation Road north of Plantation Road, on the left when traveling south.
Founded c. 1725, long a principal port of N.C., site of Spanish attack, 1748, and of Stamp Act resistance, 1766. Later abandoned. Was 2 mi. S.E. — — Map (db m6451) HM
On River Road SE (U.S. 133) just north of Plantation Road, on the right when traveling south.
A Spanish expedition captured the town of Brunswick, 1748, during King George’s War, but was soon driven away by the colonial militia. — — Map (db m6420) HM
On South Davis Street at East Bay Street, on the right when traveling north on South Davis Street.
Here on this small bluff overlooking the Cape Fear River, Joshua Potts in the year 1790 envisioned a town surrounding old Fort Johnston. “Braced up by the effects of the salubrious breeze, from the sea,” Joshua Potts laid out the first . . . — — Map (db m4792) HM
On East Bay Street near South Howe Street, on the right when traveling east.
Dedicated to the memory of Catalino Tingzon, interred in Northwood Cemetery, and all Merchant Marine seamen and U.S. Navy Armed Guard on the tanker S.S.John D. Gill torpedoed and sunk off Cape Fear by the German submarine U-158 . . . — — Map (db m4950) HM
Near Ferry Road SE (State Highway 211) 0.3 miles east of East Moore Street.
During the war of 1812, North Carolina Governor William Hawkins called up companies of militia from Brunswick, Bladen, New Hanover and Duplin counties for the coastal defense of the state against British invasion to serve at Fort Johnston in . . . — — Map (db m115792) HM
On Southport-Supply Road (State Highway 211) at Long Beach Road (State Highway 133), on the left when traveling east on Southport-Supply Road. Reported missing.
Named for Gov. Caswell. Begun by U.S. in 1826; seized by N.C. troops, 1861; abandoned by Confederates, 1865. Stands five miles southeast. — — Map (db m16331) HM
On East Bay Street east of South Davis Street, on the left when traveling east.
This tablet was erected May, 1911 by the North Carolina Society of Colonial Dames of America to mark the site of Fort Johnston, the first fort in the Province of North Carolina, built under Act of Assembly of 1745 and completed 1764, and named in . . . — — Map (db m4754) HM
On East Bay Street east of South Davis Street, on the left when traveling east.
Confederate Lifeline. On January 9, 1861, as secession fever swept the South, an armed body of civilians overwhelmed Fort Johnston’s lone occupant, Ordinance Sgt. James Reilly, and demanded the keys. Reilly quickly surrendered them and received . . . — — Map (db m168569) HM
Site for this public park was given to the town of Smithville, which was named in his honor, by Governor Benjamin Smith. His legacy provided that land in this square be used for educational, fraternal, religious and recreational purposes.
Th . . . — — Map (db m5988) HM
On West Moore Street at South Lord Street, on the right when traveling east on West Moore Street.
This ancient gnarled oak has been estimated to be more than 800 years old. Indians may have bent the young tree to mark the trail to their fishing grounds. The tree took root a second time, thus developing the unusual formation. — — Map (db m20366) HM
On East Bay Street east of South Davis Street, on the left when traveling east.
Last royal governor of North Carolina, 1771–75. Fearing capture, in June 1775 he sought refuge here. Fled offshore to HMS Cruizer in July. — — Map (db m4790) HM
Erected April 13th, 1938
by the
National Society United States Daughters of 1812
of
North Carolina
Memorial to North Carolina Militia, stationed at Deepwater Point, about one mile northeast of Southport on the water front, several . . . — — Map (db m113673) WM
On South Davis Street at East Bay Street, on the right when traveling north on South Davis Street.
Erected during North Carolina’s Tercentenary to Mrs. Jessie Stevens Taylor, 1879–1961. She loved her God, Country and fellow man. She served here as a Voluntary Weather Observer and Storm Warning Display Woman from 1900 to 1961. — — Map (db m4752) HM
On February 27, 1904, ground was broken for the “new” jail. Contractor A.J. Robbins received the contract with a low bid of $6,738. Its construction is “a concrete foundation with brick walls, laid in 1:6 bond constructed with a . . . — — Map (db m6095) HM
On Rhett Street at Nash Street, on the right when traveling north on Rhett Street.
Between the Civil War and the construction of the Panama Canal in 1904, local residents and investors desperately sought to surpass Wilmington by building a rail link to the Appalachian coal fields. Smithville would become the first refueling stop . . . — — Map (db m6227) HM
On N. Lord Street at W. Nash Street, on the right when traveling south on N. Lord Street.
1915–1965, columnist and author. “The Old Man and the Boy,” were youthful remembrances of his material grandfather, Captain Edward Atkins, in this house. — — Map (db m4800) HM
On Rhett Street north of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling north.
“Nor even this hour shall want its charm / For side-by-side still fondly we’ll keep / And calmly in each others arms / Together linked go down the deep.” —From the marker for Emeline L. Taylor and Major George Taylor who were . . . — — Map (db m6229) HM
On East Nash Street west of Howe Street (North Carolina Highway 211), on the right when traveling west.
January 1916. Founded in 1893, the Southport Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized with the election of officers and adoption of a constitution and by laws on 21 January, 1916. Authorized purchase of the city’s first fire alarm bell . . . — — Map (db m5996) HM
On Ferry Road (State Highway 211) at the Deep Point Marina exit road, on the left when traveling east on Ferry Road.
Barbadian planter turned pirate made North Carolina his base, 1718. Captured in naval battle few miles east. Hanged in Charleston. — — Map (db m101979) HM
Thanks for our freedom
This Memorial, dedicated on November 11, 2015, and funded by private donations, honors the Men and Women Who Have Served Our Nation.
It was made possible through the heart, vision, dedication, and tireless efforts . . . — — Map (db m105916) WM
On St. Philips Road east of River Road (North Carolina Highway 133).
Brunswick Town State Historic Site was established on land donated to the State of North Carolina in December, 1952, by James Laurence Sprunt and his four sons, James Laurence Sprunt, Jr., Kenneth Murchison Sprunt, Samuel Nash Sprunt, and Laurence . . . — — Map (db m5535) HM
A memorial to Colonel Maurice Moore, gentleman and soldier of the King, who in the year of our lord 1725 founded in a wilderness The Town of Brunswick reserving for the glory of God the tract of land on which was built this parish church . . . — — Map (db m6510) HM
Begun 1861. Named in honor of General Joseph R. Anderson, then commanding military district.
The Fort, under command of Brig. Gen. Johnson Hagood, suffered a severe bombardment by a Federal fleet and attack by Federal army under Maj. Gen. J. M. . . . — — Map (db m6494) HM
In 1861–1862, Col. William Lamb and Maj. John Hedrick
constructed Fort Anderson, one of several Confederate
strongholds that protected Wilmington, a major blockade-running port. They enlarged Fort St. Philip (for St. Philip’s Anglican Church . . . — — Map (db m6515) HM
On River Road SE (State Highway 133) at Plantation Road (Local Road 1529), on the left when traveling south on River Road SE.
Large Confederate fort stands 2 mi. E. After a strong Union attack it was evacuated Feb. 18, 1865, resulting in the fall of Wilmington. — — Map (db m6438) HM
On St. Philips Road at Plantation Road on St. Philips Road.
Ordained 1707; came to America 1708. Served in many churches in area as missionary of Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, 1732–1755. — — Map (db m6483) HM
On Plantation Road, 0.1 miles east of River Road (Route 133), on the left when traveling south.
House built c. 1725, subsequent additions. Home first of Roger Moore, later of Gov. Benjamin Smith, still later of James Sprunt. ¾ mi. E. — — Map (db m167688) HM
On River Road (State Highway 133) at Plantation Road, on the left when traveling south on River Road.
Anglican, built under act of 1751. Graves of Governors Arthur Dobbs and Benjamin Smith and U.S. Justice Alfred Moore. Ruins 2 mi. S.E. — — Map (db m6467) HM
