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.
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.
