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HISTORY
Although the Brunswick Islands are still something of a hidden
treasure for today’s vacationers, folks discovered the
beauty and serenity of the area centuries ago. The ruins of
Brunswick Town date to colonial times and still bear the scars
of being sacked by the British over 200 years ago. The area’s
population nearly tripled between the American Revolution and
the Civil War, with active efforts to expand towns like Smithville
(now Southport). During this time, rice was an important crop
to the area, much being consumed locally, but a large amount
reserved for export via Port Brunswick. Cotton, turpentine and
pitch exports also contributed to the area’s prosperity.
The population fell after the Civil War, but began to rise again
in the early 20th century as local businesses and landowners
organized to build the Islands into a sought-after family destination,
constructing bridges, boarding houses and hotels. The last 100
years have seen the gradual transformation of the Brunswick
Islands from a sparsely inhabited intercoastal outpost to a
thriving network of resort communities. During this period,
the different islands’ and towns’ personalities
began to emerge, such as Bald Head Island’s moratorium
on motor vehicles and Caswell Beach’s complete lack of
commercial development.
For all their histories, the Brunswick Islands can still seem
like a place trapped in time. Your stay here is bound to be
just as timeless. |
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