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About
the history of Oak Island
Early development of Oak Island as a community unofficially
began in 1826 with the construction of Fort Caswell. In 1889,
construction of the Oak Island Lighthouse was complete and
the Oak Island Lifesaving Station was fully operational to
protect sailors from the nearby rough waters of the mouth
of the Cape Fear River. The fort and lighthouse were the first
areas of Oak Island to have a "permanent population".
Until 1939, Oak Island was still undeveloped, and was frequented
mostly by fox hunters. The island was known to be a great
place for fox hunting, and the hunts would remain an important
part of the Island's early years. In 1936, the Atlantic Intra-Coastal
Waterway (ICW) was completed. This made Oak Island a true
island as the ICW construction deepened portions of the Elizabeth
River, severing it from the mainland.
Ernest Felder Middleton, a timber exporter from Charleston,
SC, bought land on Oak Island in 1938. Middleton, along with
his partners in Carolina Lands, Inc. began development of
the area on Oak Island known as Long Beach. By 1939, Long
Beach was officially open to the public. At this time the
town had a pavillion, a canteen with a dining room and 20
bath houses. Early visitors enjoyed orchestras and dances
at the pavillion every Saturday night. During this time, Carolina
Lands also finished construction on some roads, and offered
the first oceanfront lots for sale... each for the hefty sum
of $350.00! By 1940, Long Beach had about 40 cottages. These
early years saw a short building boom on the Island, but during
World War Two, construction came to a halt as building materials
were scarce and activity was hampered by "dim-out"
restrictions. By 1944, construction had returned to normal.
About the Region
Brunswick County is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina.
It was charted in 1746 and named for the Prince of Brunswick.
It is the fifth largest county in area in North Carolina,
reaching from the Brunswick River (bordering with New Hanover
County) to the South Carolina state line. Brunswick County
has 19 towns, and about 72,000 residents.
Brunswick County is uniquely situated along one of the "scalloped
arcs" on the southeast coast of North Carolina, so the
beaches, including Oak Island, face south instead of east.
Oak Island Lighthouse
Oak Island Lighthouse flashes the newest and most powerful
beam of all American lighthouses. This powerful beacon is
surpassed in brilliancy only by a French light on the English
Channel. Because such intense blinding heat is generated by
this light, repairmen must wear protective clothing. Even
with protective clothing, they can work only a short time.
The name comes from Oak Island which is an outer strip of
North Carolina's lower southeastern coast. In 1958, Oak Island
Lighthouse replaced Cape Fear Lighthouse, which was located
across the Cape Fear River on Bald Head Island. Because of
the need for a rock foundation solid enough to support the
tower, the lighthouse builder had to go 125 feet underground.
In winds up to 60 mph, this tower may sway as much as three
feet
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When you stand on the beach at Oak Island and look out over
the Atlantic Ocean, you are actually facing the Bahamas, Florida
and Cuba, and not Europe or Africa. Oak Island is 12.6 miles
long and averages about 1 mile across, making it Brunswick
County's largest Island. It consists of the Town of Oak Island
and the Town of Caswell Beach. Oak Island is about 7 miles
to Southport, 30 miles to Wilmington and about 60 miles to
Myrtle Beach.Oak Island has a flat topography, with some variation
in elevation from sand dunes. The Island has a complex coastal
ecosystem with areas of salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, maritime
forests, and miles of beach strand. The Island is home to
a wide variety of flora and fauna, including the seasonal
visits from Atlantic sea turtles, who return every year to
lay eggs. Sea turtle populations include the Green, Loggerhead,
and rare Kemp Ridley turtles. The Town, in conjunction with
the US Army Corps of Engineers, recently completed a Sea Turtle
Habitat Restoration Project to restore sea turtle habitat
lost to erosion. We consider the sea turtles to be some of
our most important residents! With so much natural beauty,
historical significance and unique character, it is easy to
see why Oak Island is such a great place to visit, and a greater
place to live, work and play! |
Oak Island Golf Club |
Long Beach Pier |
Oak Island Bridge |
Oak Island is located at 33:54:47.754N 78:06:59.760W. To find
us from the north: Take I-95 South to I-40 East. Exit Route
53 West to Route 421 South. Then US 17 to Route 133 South
to Oak Island.
To find us from the south: Take US 17 North to Route 211 South
at Supply. Then Route 133 South to Oak Island.
Watch for signs directing you to "Brunswick County Beaches"
and "Oak Island".
Distance from:
Wilmington, NC 30 mi. ................Washington, DC 398 mi.
N. Myrtle Beach, SC 60 mi.......... Atlanta, GA 413 mi.
Raleigh, NC 153 mi. ....................Philadelphia, PA 560
mi.
Charlotte, NC 213 mi. ................. New York, NY 650 mi.
Norfolk, VA 270 mi. .................... Pittsburgh, PA 653
mi.
Richmond, VA 307 mi. ............... Cleveland, OH 797 mi.
Highways Serving Our Area:
US Primary - US17,
US74, US76, US421, I-40
State Primary - NC87, NC133, NC211
Commercial Airports:
Wilmington International
- Wilmington, NC (ILM)
Myrtle Beach Jet Port - Myrtle Beach, SC (MYR)
Local Airport:
Brunswick County Airport - Long Beach Road, Oak Island. 910-457-6483.
4000' X 75' lighted & paved runway. Direct in GPS and
N.B.P. approach,
pilot controlled lighting, manned day light hours-365 days
a year.
Fuel available 24 hours.
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The
Shrimp House 2
Photo Gallery
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