Southport is a quaint, seaside town that offers numerous
restaurants, antiques shops and historic sites. Along the west side of the
Cape Fear River's mouth, Southport is reachable by both ferry and scenic
highway. Leaving Wilmington, take the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and hang a
fast left onto N.C. Highway 133 just off U.S. Highways 17, 74 and 76. If you
miss it, you can also take N.C. Highway 87, although the N.C. 133 route is
very beautiful and offers several attractions, including Orton Plantation,
Brunswick Town and the Progress Energy Nuclear Plant with its Brunswick
Plant Energy Center. For information on the ferry route and schedule, see
our Getting
Around chapter.
The city of Southport is steeped in history. This coastal community saw
the establishment of North Carolina's first fort in 1754: Fort Johnston. A
small community of river pilots, fishermen and tradespeople grew up around
the fort. In 1792 the town of Smithville was created. In 1808, Smithville
became the county seat of Brunswick County. For the remainder of the
century, the town made plans to link rail service with the existing river
traffic to make the community a major southern port, and the city was
renamed Southport.
The town was one of the first areas in the state to
celebrate the Fourth of July and is widely regarded as the Fourth of July
Capital of North Carolina. History records that in 1795, citizens gathered
at Fort Johnston and observed a 13-gun military salute to the original 13
states. In 1813, a Russian warship anchored in the harbor fired a 13-gun
salute, and it was on this Fourth of July that fireworks were used for the
first time to close the celebration. In 1972, the Fourth of July Festival
was chartered and incorporated as the official North Carolina Fourth of July
Festival, and it has become a tremendously popular four-day event for
residents and visitors.
Southport, listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, is ranked by both Rand McNally and Kiplinger as one of the most
desirable places in the United States to retire. But Southport is great fun
even for just a daytrip. History buffs will especially appreciate a visit to
Southport for its beautiful old homes and historic cemeteries. Be sure to
check out some of the better known historic spots. The Captain Thompson
Home, for example, offers visitors a glimpse into the life of a Civil War
blockade runner.
The literary set will enjoy a visit to the
Adkins-Ruark House where author Robert Ruark lived as a young boy with his
grandfather. One of Ruark's novels, The Old Man and the Boy, gives
readers insight into Southport life years ago.
Southport's live oak–lined streets, charming
architecture, quaint shops -- most notably an abundance of antiques shops --
as well as year-round golf, boating and fishing create an enormously
pleasant environment. This is the place for people who genuinely want to
kick back and enjoy beautiful coastal scenery. With a year-round population
of nearly 2,600, there's still plenty of elbow room. If you fall head over
heels for Southport and decide to make a permanent move, keep in mind that
its charm also means that the town includes some of the area's most
exclusive homes.
Leave the car -- parking is free -- and just walk around
until you discover shops, restaurants and views that please you. It's an
extremely casual community that invites visitors to pause and savor a slow
pace of life that is fast disappearing in nearby Wilmington.
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