Old Brunswick Town September 21, 2016

After visiting with Joe and Bev, Bob and I continued to the riverside park in Southport on the Cape Fear River.  We were only a few miles from Wilmington, and never having toured that city, we headed in that direction, but decided instead to stop at the Brunswick Town Historical Site about 15 miles north of Southport.  Wilmington and a ferry ride to Bald Island will have to remain on our "to do" list for now.

One of several covered picnic/swing areas at the Southport park



A view looking north toward Wilmington

More open seating along the river's edge

A bayou off the river on the road to Brunswick Town

An alligator at the edge of the road waiting for treats.  Despite signs forbidding feeding the gators, the ranger said they are used to being given handouts and often hang out at this spot.   

 The historic site consists of the remains of the St Phillips Church (built in 1768 and destroyed during the Revolutionary War); the remnants of the original  settlement; and Ft Anderson, built and occupied by the Confederates in the Civil War.     

The pathway around the old settlement leading to the Cape Fear River.  The town was settled in 1726 by Maurice and Roger Moore.  Brunswick Town and Newton combined to become Port of Brunswick.  Like the church, the town was destroyed during the Revolutionary War and was never rebuilt. 

 



Only some of the stone foundations remain.  

One of the busiest ports in pre-Revolutionary times and one of the more strategic sites during the Civil War were once here on the banks of Cape Fear.  Now, in addition to being a historic park, the grounds have been used as a setting in the tv series Sleepy Hollow for part of Purgatory and the location of Methuselah's sword.  Also, archeological digs are still being done here.