History isn’t just learned in the four corners of the classroom or in the books; history can also be represented in the form of art–paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc. History can be found in the writings in an old jail, the cracks in the wall of a dysfunctional lighthouse and many more. The point is, there are a lot of resources where you may find the different stories of the past and this is something Southport has all the while discovering their culture and interesting places to visit! To name some of the most astonishing and historical landmarks of North Carolina, here are the 8 best places you can find the area!
1. Southport Fort Fisher Ferry
The Southport - Fort Ferry Schedule will be your BFF when traveling through the different beaches on Pleasure Islands to the mouth of the Cape Fear River and to the historic town of Southport. During your trip, you will have the majestic view of the Cape Fear River mostly perfect for a day trip to catch either the sun rise or the sunset. Take note that the Southport Fort Fisher Ferry schedules may still vary, which is why it’s recommended that you call the Southport terminal at 1-910-457-6942.
Southport Fort Fisher Ferry
Address: 2422 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449, USA
2. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
A more interesting take on history, the North Carolina Maritime Museum tells a story of pirates, commerce, agriculture (fishing), exploration, pilotage, salvage, riverfront archeology, and nautical adventures. The museum focuses on the story of the Cape Fear region and its inhabitants. The different tales of this museum will surely make you appreciate history even more!
The admission to the North Carolina Maritime Museum is free, but they do accept donations. They are open every Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.
North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
Address: 204 E Moore Street, Southport, NC
3. Fort Johnston - Southport Museum & Visitors Center
Originally built in the year 1748, the Fort Johnston-Southport Museum was established to protect the region from Spanish and French attack. Presently, it is now a Museum that consists of original documents, historical artefacts, and exhibits about the Fort Johnston. Inside the historical museum, you will find rotating exhibits, an authentic storefront of Fullwood’s Grocery Store, Southport Bicentennial Heritage Quilt, an exhibit room of the Southport Historical Society, photographic displays, and more information and documents about Fort Johnston and the author Robert Ruark.
Admission to the museum is for free and they are open from 10 am to 4pm every Monday to Saturday and 1pm to 4 pm every Sunday.
Fort Johnston - Southport Museum & Visitors Center
Address: 203 E. Bay Street, Southport, NC
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4. Southport Marina
A luxurious spot with access to coastal North Carolina, the Southport Marina allows you to do different activities such as fishing, sightseeing tours, boat rentals and sales is the way to spend your day. Southport Marina offers and features a 330-foot (100.5 m) long fuel station for transient mariners and travelers, an Events Deck which is popular for weddings and receptions, an outdoor park which is known as the Live Oak Park.
Southport Marina
Address: 606 W West St, Southport
Website: Southport Marina
5. Franklin Square Gallery
More than a typical art gallery, many considers Franklin Square Gallery as a community wherein you discover and be introduced with art. Original works of over one hundred artists from the regional and local part of the Southeastern North Carolina are showcased featuring original paintings, prints, sculpture, and pottery which are clearly inspired by the wild Cape Fear environment. And since Franklin Square Gallery is a community, they also it’s annual spring art show wherein fresh and new pieces by both the gallery members and and local guest artists are introduced! Catch the gallery every 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday. They are open from March until December 24 only so make sure that you visit in the right month!
Franklin Square Gallery
Address: 130 E. West Street, off Howe Street
Website: Franklin Square Gallery
6. Old Brunswick County Jail Museum
The Old Brunswick County Jail will take you back in time of the law enforcement of the 20th century. It was built in the year 1904 and served as the town’s primary jail for more than 70 years.
It is a multi-story brick building wherein inside, each cell consists of four bed bunks with a steel wash basin and a commode. Original graffiti and some musings by the prisoners can be seen as you roam around the jail. Downstairs, you will see the living area of the jailer and the family which has the bed, some toys, study table, and other home essentials which will give you the goosebumps and make you think how the their lives were in the old times and how it was, raising a family and living just a floor below where the prisoners are.
Old Brunswick County Jail Museum
Address: 318 E Nash St, Southport, NC.
7. Price’s Creek Lighthouse
An ancient find, Price’s Creek Lighthouse hails with a historical background which dates back from the pre-civil war. Situated along the banks of Cape Fear River and in the Southport, North Carolina, Price’s Creek Lighthouse remains as the only out of eight authorized lighthouses authorized by the Congress in 1848.
Like any other lighthouse, Price’s Creek Lighthouse was used as a signal station, but this one was used by the Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. At this time, confederates tried to destroy all the lighthouses when they lost control of the Cape River to impede the advance of the Union soldiers and prevent them from navigating the river. Luckily, Price’s Creek is the only lighthouse that survived out of 8, but was still heavily damaged. In the present time, the lighthouse is not accessible to the public as it sits on the private property of Archer Daniels Midland, but can still and best be viewed from the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry.
Price’s Creek Lighthouse
Address: Price’s Creek Lighthouse, Ferry Rd SE, Southport, NC 28461, USA
8. Artshak Studio and Gallery
Artshak Studio and Gallery is a place to go to for the people who was the eye and the heart for art. It is the home of 56 artists which includes not just painters, but also sculptors, photographers, clay, metal glass, wood, and fabric artists. The interiors of the gallery is designed as a barn-style, but still coastal on the edges and exterior which really gives you the cozy vibes. What’s interesting about Arthshak Studio and Gallery is that, regional, local, and coastal-inspired artists are well-represented with their art ranging from traditional to modern or contemporary and electric work which you will for sure enjoy and even purchase!
Artshak Studio and Gallery
Address: 822 N Howe Street, Southport, North Carolina.
Experience the Southport Story
Whether or not you are a fan of history, only one thing’s for sure when visiting Southport, North Carolina: every place has its own story worth learning about and telling. Each art, landmark, place has their own identity waiting to be explored and discovered and Southport offers you this learning experience you will surely enjoy and appreciate.