Historical Markers and War Memorials in Southport, North Carolina
Bolivia is the county seat for Brunswick County
Southport is in Brunswick County
Brunswick County(62) ► ADJACENT TO BRUNSWICK COUNTY Columbus County(4) ► New Hanover County(173) ► Pender County(47) ► Horry County, South Carolina(236) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
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
