![]() Unlike the specific landmarks which were renamed by each settler, the region was always known by the well-earned name, "Cape Fear". Throughout the early European history of the Cape Fear region, Bald Head Island underwent several settlement attempts and went by many names. Shellmounds found on Middle Island and Bluff Island indicate that Native Americans did visit the Smith Island complex, but disease and war killed off most of the Native American population, so it is difficult to know much about the original inhabitants. Bald Head Island's creek estuaries and its abundance of shellfish were probably as attractive to Native American fishermen as they are to modern fishermen. Īuthor David Stick surmises that Native Americans used Bald Head Island in much the same way that it is used now, as a seasonal retreat. ![]() The consensus view is that Bald Head Island emerged from one such sandbar, stabilized by a succession of plant life, leading to a permanent land mass. These topographical transformations are often as rapid as they are drastic. In this area, large sand bars seasonally emerge from and subsequently retreat into the sea. Located at the tip of Cape Fear and residing at the convergence of the Cape Fear River and Atlantic Gulf Stream, the land mass of Bald Head Island ends, trailing off into 30 miles (48 km) of treacherous sand bars known as Frying Pan Shoals. During the Civil War, the same redoubts served as Fort Holmes, a Confederate base of importance to shipping and smuggling. During the American Revolution, it was home to Fort George, a British fort. "Old Baldy", its out-of-service lighthouse built in 1817, is the oldest still standing in the state.īald Head Island is tiny but has played a part in two American wars. It was the primary filming location for the film Weekend at Bernie's in 1989 as well as a major location in The Butcher's Wife in 1991. The village is revered for its picturesque nature and is a popular location for vacationing. ![]() The village is part of the Wilmington metropolitan area. The population of the village was 158 at the 2010 census. Bald Head Island is nationally recognized for its sea turtle nesting activity. There are few cars on the island instead, residents drive modified electric golf carts. Only government officials are allowed to drive the beach strand route. It is accessible by ferry from the nearby town of Southport and by four-wheel drive vehicle along the beach strand from Fort Fisher to the north. Compared to the nearby city of Wilmington to the north, the village of Bald Head Island is small and somewhat remote. They’re working with the town to determine what, if any, impacts the project could have on the nest to ensure the safety of the pair.Bald Head Island, historically Smith Island, is a village located on the east side of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. "The appropriate process is for us to act on the application, refer it to the DEC, and ask them to review and make any necessary changes," said Anthony Aloisio with the Town of Huntington.įor their part, the Department of Environmental Conservation that regulates protected species is aware of the housing project that may potentially be within the 660-foot window of the eagles. The zoning board isn’t signing off on the homes themselves, but an application for a retaining wall submitted by the builder. Moreover, the construction of homes near the nest falls on legal lots. "The fact that the bald eagles are not going to eat enough - they’re not pets," said Fred Uvena with the Town of Huntington. Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app! | Sign up for FOX 5 email newslettersīut for their part - the town says they’ve been transparent and haven’t done anything wrong and the tidal gates automatically open and close with the tide. "To allow the town to do what they’re doing and drive the eagles out worries me," he said. And he claims the town is also threatening their health by closing the gates on a nearby dam making it difficult for fish to reach the area where the birds hunt. Now, he says a construction project under review with the Town of Huntington zoning board is threatening their habitat.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |