Discover the rich military and recreational history of Southport, Oak
Island, and Bald Head Island.
Southport, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island are coastal North Carolina
communities. History abounds in this area, settled by the Smith brothers
in the late 1700s. A century later, Fort Caswell was built on Oak Island
and used for Confederate defense. Two of North Carolina's historic
lighthouses grace the beaches of the area. River steamer routes flowed
through here until 1925, exporting and importing goods at the Wilmington
port. Today, the area is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy
the plentiful live oaks, fishing, the waterfront park of Southport, and
the North Carolina Maritime Museum.