Southport NC

Southport, is one of the more unique, historic and quaint towns of the Brunswick Beaches community. Southport has recently become well-known as a popular destination for filming both movies and television shows. Throughout summer 2012, the town was used for scenes in “Safe Haven”, featuring actors Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough.

However, Southport is also known for its historic value and importance throughout Brunswick County, as well as the entire state of North Carolina. The area was explored by Spanish conquistadors in the early 1500s. In 1744, Governor Gabriel Johnson, selected Southport as the best location to build a fort for defending the Cape Fear region. The fort is named Fort Johnston and the town began to grow after this defense structure was erected. The town of Southport was originally named Smithville.

Southport is closely located to Bald Head Island, another special town in the Brunswick Beaches region. Southport’s Deep Point Marina is the new landing location for the Bald Head Island Ferry. Southport is also home to a North Carolina State Ports Authority marina, which is an instituted authority in the state that is set up to develop and operate seaports.

As you may have seen in our Listings section, Southport is a small fishing village but has lots to offer in terms of shops and restaurants. There really isn’t a shortage of things to do in this quaint little town! Whether you’re looking for a weekend of historic touring, a fishing hideaway or ambiance similar to a Nicholas Sparks novel, Southport has all of this and more! We encourage those who have never visited Southport to arrange a visit soon and for those of you that know and love Southport, please post on our Visit Brunswick Beaches Facebook or shoot us a tweet on Twitter and let us know why it’s near and dear to your heart.

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