Calabash: A Slice Of Brunswick County

Calabash is a small fishing town located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It is known as the Seafood Capital of the World due to its famous fried seafood restaurants. The town was incorporated in 1973 and has since grown from a fishing village to a small town with a year-round population of around 2,000 residents. Calabash is bordered by Carolina Shores to the northwest and Sunset Beach to the east, with the Calabash River flowing through the southern part of the town. The town's distinctive style of fried seafood, known as Calabash Style, has made it a popular destination for food lovers.

Calabash, a small fishing town in Brunswick County, North Carolina

Calabash is a small fishing town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, known as the "Seafood Capital of the World". The town has a rich history and is famous for its distinctive style of fried seafood, known as "Calabash Style". This style of cooking involves cornmeal-battering and frying seafood such as shrimp, clams, fish, and oysters. The town has a high concentration of seafood restaurants, with about one seafood restaurant per 10 residents.

The name "Calabash" comes from the gourds that grew in the region, which were used for drinking well water. The town was part of a 48,000-acre grant made in 1691 to Landgrave Thomas Smith. In the late 1700s, the Altson family owned most of the present-day Calabash at Little River Neck. In the late 1800s, the area became known as Pea Landing due to the cultivation of peanuts nearby that were shipped to Wilmington.

Calabash became known for its seafood restaurants in the late 1940s and was incorporated in 1973. Local folklore attributes the town's reputation for high-quality seafood to the fishermen who would cook their catch under the oak trees, prompting locals to buy any leftover seafood. Clinton Morse, a local businessman, invented the "Calabash style" of seafood by serving deep-fried seafood dipped in a light, seasoned batter. These open-air picnics led to the many original family seafood restaurants that are now run by descendants of their founders.

Calabash is located in southwestern Brunswick County, bordered by the town of Carolina Shores to the northwest and the town of Sunset Beach to the east. The Calabash River flows through the southern part of the town, leading to the Little River in South Carolina. The main road through Calabash is North Carolina Highway 179 (Beach Drive). As of the 2020 census, the population of Calabash was 2,011.

The town is known as the 'Seafood Capital of the World'

The town of Calabash, North Carolina, is known as the "Seafood Capital of the World". This small fishing town in Brunswick County has a rich history and is renowned for its delicious seafood offerings. With a population of around 2,000 people, Calabash may be small, but its culinary reputation is mighty.

The town's name originates from the gourds that once grew in the region, used by locals for drinking well water. However, it is the seafood that has put Calabash on the map. Since the 1930s, Calabash has developed a distinctive style of fried seafood, aptly named "Calabash Style". This style of cooking involves lightly breading and deep-frying shrimp, clams, fish, and oysters, locking in their freshness. While the exact origins of this famous recipe remain a bit of a mystery, the taste of Calabash-style seafood is unmistakable.

Calabash is home to a cluster of seafood restaurants, many of which are located by the water. Beck's Restaurant and Coleman's Original Calabash Seafood are two of the oldest, dating back to 1940. These establishments have helped shape the town's identity as a seafood lover's paradise. The secret to their success? Crystal Coleman-Nixon, an owner of Coleman's Original Calabash, reveals that it's all about the preparation: "It's lightly breaded, deep-fried." This simple yet effective method has created a culinary phenomenon that has spread far beyond the town's borders.

The seafood industry is the lifeblood of Calabash, with restaurants making up a significant portion of the town's economy. Kurt Hardee, an owner of several restaurants, including Ella's of Calabash, sums it up perfectly: "Take away the restaurants, you take away 99 percent of our industry." The town's seafood heritage has also attracted tourists seeking to indulge in the famous Calabash-style cuisine. As Brittany, a frequent visitor to Calabash, says, "Our vacation isn't complete until we've had our fill of seafood."

Calabash, the "Seafood Capital of the World", continues to be a culinary destination, enticing food lovers with its unique and mouthwatering take on fried seafood.

Calabash-style seafood is a distinctive style of fried seafood

Calabash is a small fishing town in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It is known as the "Seafood Capital of the World" because of its Calabash-style seafood—a distinctive style of fried seafood.

Calabash-style seafood is a method of preparing seafood that originated in the town of Calabash in the 1930s. The town was once a quaint fishing village, and the style of cooking that became known as Calabash-style seafood was born when fishermen would return to the docks before dawn with their catch. Locals would meet them to purchase the fresh seafood, and it would be lightly battered and deep-fried in big tubs of hot grease. This style of cooking became known as "Calabash-Style Seafood".

The seafood is typically shellfish like shrimp, scallops, clams, and oysters, or fish like cod and flounder. The seafood is coated in a light batter using cornmeal instead of flour, and then fried in hot oil until it becomes golden brown. It is often served buffet-style with a side of hush puppies (fried batter).

The town of Calabash takes its name from a type of gourd that grows in the region, which residents would dry out and use as drinking vessels. The town has since grown from a small fishing village to a small town, but it remains synonymous with seafood and the distinctive style of Calabash-style seafood.

The town has a year-round population of 1972 residents

The town of Calabash, located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, has a year-round population of 1972 residents, as of the last census in 2020. Incorporated in 1973, Calabash has grown from a small fishing village to a charming coastal town. The town is known for its seafood restaurants, earning the nickname "Seafood Capital of the World". The distinctive "Calabash Style" of frying seafood originated here in the 1930s, and the town's restaurants continue to serve delicious, authentic dishes.

The population of Calabash has seen a steady increase over the years. According to the 2019 Census Estimates, the town had a population of 2,272 people, a significant jump from the 2010 Census count of 1,786. The 2000 Census recorded an even lower population of 711 people, highlighting the town's growth over the past two decades.

Calabash's population comprises a diverse range of households, including couples, families, and individuals. The average household size is 1.89, while the average family size is 2.32. The town has a notable percentage of non-traditional families, with 38.2% of households falling into this category. Additionally, 34.2% of households are made up of individuals, showcasing the variety of living situations in the town.

The racial composition of Calabash is predominantly White (non-Hispanic), with 93.25% of the population identifying as such, according to the 2020 Census. The town also has a small percentage of African American (non-Hispanic) residents, making up 3.66% of the population. Other races represented include Asian, Latino, and individuals identifying as two or more races.

The median income for households in Calabash is $32,946, while the median income for families is slightly higher at $38,403. The town's economy is largely based on tourism, fishing, and seafood-related industries. Calabash's reputation as a seafood destination has put it on the map, attracting visitors from near and far.

In summary, Calabash, with its year-round population of 1972 residents, is a vibrant and welcoming community. The town's rich history, delicious seafood, and coastal charm make it a popular destination for those seeking a unique and relaxing experience on North Carolina's Brunswick Islands.

The Calabash River flows through the town, leading to the Little River in South Carolina

The town of Calabash is located in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. It is a small fishing town known as the "Seafood Capital of the World" due to its abundance of seafood restaurants. The town has a rich history in commercial fishing and is famous for its distinctive style of fried seafood, known as "Calabash Style". This style involves lightly battering and frying seafood such as shrimp, clams, fish, and oysters.

Calabash is bordered by Carolina Shores to the northwest and Sunset Beach to the east. The Calabash River, a tidal river, flows through the southern part of the town. This river is an important feature of the town and the surrounding landscape. It flows towards the southwest, leading to the Little River in South Carolina, just 3 miles (5 km) upstream from the Little River Inlet on the Atlantic Ocean.

The Calabash River is not just a geographical feature but also a part of the town's culture and history. Seafood restaurants line the waterfront along the river, a reminder of the town's commercial fishing heritage. The river is also a source of water access for the town and the surrounding area. It is referred to locally as the Calabash River, while some maps label it as Calabash Creek.

The Little River, located in South Carolina, is a natural waterway that flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It is a short distance from Calabash, making it convenient for visitors to explore both towns. Little River, like its sister city, is a small fishing town known for its seafood restaurants, marinas, and golf courses. The two towns, though distinct in their atmospheres, are often visited together by tourists who enjoy the unique offerings of each location.

The Calabash River, flowing through the town of Calabash and leading to the Little River in South Carolina, is an integral part of the region's geography and culture. It has shaped the landscape, provided water access, and contributed to the area's rich history, particularly its association with the fishing industry and the development of the distinctive "Calabash Style" of seafood cuisine.

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