Brunswick: North Carolina's Coastal Gem

Brunswick is a town in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States. It is part of North Carolina's Brunswick Islands, which are located on the state's southernmost shoreline. The Brunswick Islands are made up of ten cities on the southeastern coast, six of which – Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach, and Bald Head Island – have their own beaches. The other four – Southport, Calabash, Shallotte, and Leland – are coastal towns.

Brunswick County, North Carolina

Brunswick County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the southernmost county in the state and is part of the Wilmington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county was formed in 1764 from parts of Bladen County and New Hanover County and was named for the colonial port of Brunswick Town, itself named for George I, the King of England and Duke of Brunswick. The county seat is Bolivia, which has a population of around 150 people, making it one of the least populous county seats in the state.

Brunswick County has a total area of 1,049.54 square miles, of which 850.08 square miles is land and 199.46 square miles is water. It is the fourth-largest county in North Carolina by total area. The Brunswick River and the Cape Fear River provide access to the Atlantic Ocean, and the county includes six beaches on five barrier islands: Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Caswell Beach, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island. Bald Head Island is the southernmost point of North Carolina.

The county's economy is largely built around tourism, with beach communities and popular destinations such as Bald Head Island and Oak Island. Calabash, on the border of South Carolina, is known for its fried seafood, with "Calabash-style" restaurants throughout the region. Brunswick County is also a popular filming location for movies and TV shows due to its proximity to Cinespace Wilmington.

Brunswick County has a diverse racial composition, with a population of 136,693 as of the 2020 census. The county has experienced rapid growth, particularly in the eastern section of the county in the suburbs of Wilmington, such as Leland, Belville, and Southport. The median income for a household in the county is $35,888, and the median family income is $42,037.

Brunswick Islands

The Brunswick Islands are a collection of ten towns and cities on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, six of which – Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Oak Island, Caswell Beach and Bald Head Island – have their own beaches. The other four – Southport, Calabash, Shallotte and Leland – are coastal towns.

The Brunswick Islands are known for their laid-back vibe, incredible seafood, beautiful beaches, and friendly people, and have been a popular destination for families for generations. The islands offer a range of attractions, including historic museums and lighthouses, casual fishing piers, golf courses, and nature reserves.

One of the most popular attractions in the Brunswick Islands is the Oak Island Lighthouse, famed as one of the newest and most unusual lighthouses on the East Coast. The unique structure, which features a skinny exterior and three colour blocks of light grey, medium grey and black, opened in 1958 and is located in the Caswell Beach community. Visitors can admire the structure from outside at any time and can take a tour to the second floor during the summer months.

Another popular destination is the Oak Island Nature Centre, nestled among oak trees, native pines, and salt marshes. The Nature Centre offers exhibits on local shorebirds, reptiles, butterflies, and ecosystems, as well as nature trails and a fishing pier.

Bird Island, part of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve, is a 1,200-acre site located on the state border. It features pristine white sand beaches, high natural sand dunes, salt marshes, and tidal creeks. Visitors can explore Bird Island by kayak or stand-up paddleboard.

The Brunswick Islands are also known for their exceptional fishing, with three fishing piers – the Sunset Beach Fishing Pier, Oak Island Pier, and Holden Beach Pier – accommodating anglers and sightseers alike. The piers offer bait, tackle and gift shops, as well as on-site grills for a hot meal.

With ten distinct communities to explore, a charming coastal vibe, and a variety of attractions, the Brunswick Islands offer a unique and memorable travel experience.

Brunswick Town

However, Brunswick Town's prosperity made it a target for enemies of England. During September 1748, the town was attacked by Spanish privateers, who raided the town for slaves and valuables. The townspeople, led by Captain William Dry III, successfully drove out the Spanish, but the attack highlighted Brunswick Town's vulnerability.

In the years that followed, Brunswick Town's importance declined due to the growth of nearby Wilmington and the relocation of political appointments. By the spring of 1776, at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, most families had fled the town. That same year, British forces raided and burned Brunswick Town, leaving it in ruins. The town was never rebuilt, and by the early 1800s, it was all but abandoned.

During the American Civil War, 86 years after Brunswick Town was abandoned, Confederate engineers built Fort Anderson on the site of the former town. The fort was constructed to protect the nearby city of Wilmington, a vital supply route for the Confederate army. Today, Brunswick Town is an archaeological site, offering visitors a glimpse into two fascinating periods of American history.

Brunswick River

The Brunswick River in North Carolina is a river that runs for 6.2 miles along the west bank of Eagle Island, near the city of Leland. It is a fork of the Cape Fear River, starting as an offshoot of the Cape Fear River at the town of Navassa and flowing back into the Cape Fear River at the southern tip of Eagle Island. Mill Creek and Alligator Creek flow into the Brunswick River, which has a depth of 1 to 5 feet, depending on the location. The river is fairly short, and it takes about 10 minutes to navigate its length by motorboat.

The Brunswick River Trail is a 16-mile loop trail that begins at the Davis Creek Estuarine Water Access Area on Cartwheel Branch. After just over a mile, the trail turns right at the Cape Fear River. At the four-mile mark, the Northeast Cape Fear intersects; continuing downstream leads to the Wilmington waterfront. At the 8.5-mile mark, paddlers pass the southern tip of Eagle Island and turn right, heading up the Brunswick River for the return trip. Planning the trip according to the tides can make paddling upstream for the last 7.5 miles easier.

Historically, the Brunswick River was the main thoroughfare for accessing the port at Wilmington. Shallow water on the Cape Fear River below Eagles Island forced mariners to take the longer route via the Brunswick River to reach the Wilmington anchorage. This fact contributed to the local name given to Point Peter, where the Cape Fear River splits into two rivers. During the Civil War, Confederate defenders sowed the mouth of the Brunswick River with torpedoes and other obstructions to prevent Union forces from using it to assault Wilmington.

Town of Brunswick

Brunswick is a small town located in Columbus County, North Carolina, United States. With a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 sq km), it is one of the many towns in the state's southernmost county, Brunswick County. The town had a population of around 1,100 people as per the 2010 census, which decreased to 973 in 2020.

History

The racial makeup of Brunswick has historically been diverse. As per the 2000 census, the town's population was 360, with a racial composition of 41.94% White, 55.00% African American, 2.78% Native American, and 0.28% individuals of two or more races. The population density was around 867 people per square mile. There were 165 housing units, with an average density of 397 per square mile.

Demographics

The 2020 census revealed a decrease in population to 973, with 172 households and 113 families residing in the town. The average household size was 2.5, while the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 40 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 73.1:100. The town's median household income was $15,795, with a median family income of $16,786. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the population lived below the poverty line, with 37.0% of families and 42.3% of individuals falling below this threshold.

Attractions

Brunswick is part of North Carolina's Brunswick Islands, a group of ten cities on the state's southeastern coast known for their beaches, lagoons, and seafood. The islands offer a range of attractions, including lighthouse climbs, sea turtle walks, and golf courses. The town of Brunswick itself may offer similar attractions, contributing to the overall charm of the region.

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