History, Nature, and the Arts Combined in a Pristine Corner of North Carolina

Tucked away in the south-most corner of North Carolina is a small, beach-front county with its population less than most major cities–less than a hundred thousand people. Almost twenty percent of the county is comprised of water, most of which is the Atlantic Ocean which it borders, but it also includes rivers, such as the Cape Fear River. Its name is Brunswick County.

Despite the limited population, Brunswick County is far from a new frontier. In fact, it was officially founded ten years before the Declaration of Independence was signed–it was christened after the old colonial port town in the county.

Today, that settlement is virtually deserted, often referred to as a “ghost town.” During the Revolutionary War, the whole town was destroyed, and it has never been rebuilt. The county was named in its honor, as it was one of the earliest settlements of the Cape Fear area.

Brunswick County is divided into six official townships, but there are many more villages and towns such as Belville, Holden Beach, and St. James. Due to its extensive history, many of the villages in the county are known for their charming atmosphere that seems to transport visitors to a simpler past.

The English heritage behind the founding of North Carolina is alive and well in Brunswick County. Renovated antebellum homes lining cobblestone streets are a common sight in many of the county’s villages.

Much of the natural world, too, has been preserved in its pristine goodness. Because of the beachfront areas, forests, and rural areas, Brunswick County is noted for its appeal to those who enjoy outdoor activities and sports such as horseback riding, fishing, sailing, and camping

Small towns like Wilmington have served as rich soil for the arts to flourish. Over three hundred films and seven television series have been produced and shot on location in Wilmington alone. Jazz clubs and community theatres are dispersed throughout the downtown area. And what’s more, you can “take a spin,” in a horse-drawn carriage as you explore the town.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that the whole town is trapped in a past century. This town, like many others in Brunswick County, boasts a variety of specialty boutiques and other eclectic shopping. There is also a vibrant nightlife to draw out the young and young at heart.

All things considered, Brunswick County’s appeal lies in its vast variety of activities set in an unspoiled corner of the world that still retains vestiges of American and British history. Is there something there for you?

If you want to nab your own pristine niche, then why not look into real estate in Brunswick County NC? SLD, Inc., can help you capture your ideal lifestyle at Brunswick Forest, just a few miles from Wilmington. Art Gib is a freelance writer.