Olde Southport

About Olde Southport

Southport, North Carolina, is a charming coastal town nestled at the mouth of the Cape Fear River where it meets the Atlantic—a place steeped in maritime history and brimming with Southern hospitality. Established around Fort Johnston in the mid-1700s and originally named Smithville, the town was renamed Southport in 1887 to boost its aspirations as a port. Today, its historic district, lined with Victorian-era homes and live oaks, showcases more than 160 preserved buildings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries . With its quaint waterfront, bustling yacht basin, and walkable downtown, Southport draws visitors for leisurely strolls, fresh seafood, antiques, museums, and its cinematic backdrop—from “Safe Haven” to “A Walk to Remember”. Its maritime museum, ferry connections to Bald Head Island and Fort Fisher, and iconic annual events—like its Fourth of July festival—underscore why Coastal Living dubbed it “America’s Happiest Seaside Town.”