Tomorrow night, take a ride on the Polar Express! Come early to the Garrison Lawn with your lawn chairs and blankets, grab some hot chocolate and enjoy the fabulous weather we've been having while sharing a new classic with your family!
The movie starts about 5:30, come down and enjoy our charming town of Southport!
Are you heading to the Southport Community Center today to cast your vote for your favorite cookie? The State Port Pilot's Annual Cookie Contest will be held TODAY from 3-6 pm.
You will be able to take home some wonderful holiday cookie ideas.
In the state of North Carolina, you will be hard pressed to find a coastal town with more historical value than Southport. This quaint town has lasted through the revolutionary & civil wars and its touch of southern elegance can still be felt to this day. This blog will give you a brief history of Southport and how it has molded the historic district of Southport to this day.
History of Southport
Located 25 miles south of Wilmington, Southport was originally named Smithville. Back in 1792, this town's sole means of commerce was river piloting. Business wavered with too many pilots and not enough ships. Nearly one-hundred years passed before the town was "rechristened" with the name of Southport. This was to revitalize and re-brand the city as the leading seaport of the southeast. This deep water harbor gave Southport a commercial advantage over other coastal ports and it opened the doors for more business to thrive. As a consequence, real estate prices began to rise and hundreds of new properties were erected.
City planners were in talks with investors to plan a railroad line from the city to the Piedmont region to stamp this city as the state's main port. However, these talks eventually fell through the cracks and a railroad wasn't put in place until Wilmington had surpassed it as the "Port City". The realization that Southport would only ever be a pleasant small town, began to set in.
This may have been disappointing to the city's investors during that time, but it is what residents of Southport cherish most about the place they now call home.
The Historic District of Southport Today...
The historic district of Southport has managed to preserve the 19th century look with classical Victorian style architecture. Over the years the city's meandering streets have withstood the test of time, giving Southport that retro appearance. Waterfront properties rest on gorgeous landscapes, accompanied by aged live oak trees. All these traits embody the culture of the residents that make up this lovely town.
Southport has become a leading destination for those looking to retire along the coast. Southport is popular for its tranquil atmosphere, but there is still much to do in this small town. As it sits on the mouth of the Cape Fear River, fishing and other boating activities are abundant year round. In fact the 2015 U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament just recently took place here. Avid boaters have multiple marinas at their disposal to leave their boats at. These marinas mirror the neighborly vibe that carries on throughout this community. For those interested in arts and culture, you won't have to look far to find some of the finest art galleries along the coast. Franklin Square, Howe Outrageous and Ricky Evans galleries are three of the most popular in the historic district of Southport. Every Fourth of July there entire community gathers along the shore to watch a renowned firework display that is a tradition carried for some decades now.
Properties in Southport
With less than a 30 minute commute to Wilmington, home owners have the luxury of owning properties in a quiet community, with the up-tempo pace of a larger city just a reach away. This sense of unity and relaxed pace of life promotes a friendly neighborly vibe, making it common for neighbors to stop and share friendly conversations in passing. The properties throughout Southport carry a sense of Southern Charm, that have been maintained to stamp their place in time. Have a look at this aerial video that illustrates the character of southern charm carried on throughout Southport.
Contact the team of realtors at Southport Realty to learn more about our beautiful city and find the right home for you and your family.
TODAY from 8am until 1pm on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn overlooking the Cape Fear River. You can browse the beautiful local produce, baked goods and handcrafted items spread under ancient live oak trees. There is a breeze off the river as well as music in the air as entertainment is always available.
The sixth annual Southport Wooden Boat Show featuring boats of all makes and sizes will be held Saturday, September 26, from 10am-4pm. at the Southport Yacht Basin, located two blocks from historic downtown. Wooden boats, on display both in the water on land, range from kayaks to 42-foot Core Sounders and will be professionally judged. Attendees are also invited to vote for the People's Choice Award.
Visitors can meet and talk with skilled boat builders from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the event is free. There will be live entertainment by Herb Harton throughout the day and a seafood chowder cook-off will be featured. There will be opportunity to take a trip on the Cape Fear with Captain Betsy Boating Tours.
Other activities include Nauti-kids events where little sailors can build their own boats and test their sea-worthiness; visits from North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, and the NC Underwater Archaeology. Also featured will be nautical and maritime arts and crafts, nautical and maritime demonstrations, a model boat exhibit, and new collectors posters and T-shirts designed exclusively for the 2015 show.
There will be a raffle for: a double-ender rowboat, winner of the 2014 Master Boat Building Challenge in Georgetown, SC; a signed and framed original 2015 poster; and The Adventure Co kayak tour.
The 7th Annual BIG TOY DAY will be held from 10:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport presented by the Kiwanis Club of Southport-Oak Island in conjunction with PAPA'S JOHN PIZZA of Southport/Oak Island. There will be many participants including fire trucks, 18-wheelers, construction vehicles, speed boats, monster trucks, NASCAR vehicles, helicopters, and more for your kids to climb on and learn about.
A highlight will be FREE Yound Eagle flights for children 8 - 17 offered by EAA Chapter 939 from 12:00 to 2:30 (parent or legal guardian must be present). Camel and pony rides will also be available at a nominal charge along with a FREE petting zoo. Food vendors will be selling hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQ sandwiches, Italian Ice, snow cones and ice cream.
Admission is $5 per person, with children 4 years and under admitted FREE. The maximum entry fee is $20 per car.
The 2015 NC 4th of July Festival will be in full swing tomorrow with Oak Island Beach Day beginning at 9 am. Events include Inflatables, Games, Food, Sand Sculpture Contest, Sk8 Competition, Shag Contest, Beach Day Concert, and Fireworks at 9 pm!
Every Wednesday morning from 8am until 1pm on the Fort Johnston Garrison Lawn overlooking the Cape Fear River. You can browse the beautiful local produce, baked goods and handcrafted items spread under ancient live oak trees. There is a breeze off the river as well as music in the air as entertainment is always available.
