History with ‘Hud’: Detailing the oldest house in one of Cape Fear’s oldest coastal towns

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — With the Cape Fear being extremely susceptible to storm surge and high winds from passing tropical systems, there aren’t many structures along the coast which have survived multiple centuries. But one house in an 18th century coastal community is still standing strong after more than 200 years along the water.

The Walker-Pyke House is the oldest home in Southport, located at the corner of East Bay Street and South Atlantic Avenue, serving multiple generations of families over its lifetime. It was constructed around 1800 by Captain Jack Walker, an aide to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

Walker was a wealthy landowner from the area who nearly had a town created in his honor between Fort Johnson and the site of present-day Deep Point Marina. While that idea never took off, his home did allow his legacy to continue.

Real estate titan William Pyke purchased the property in 1889. An extensive renovation project was done on the first floor to the ‘latest’ style at the time, but the 2nd floor and attic remained their initial design. The foundation is also original, made up of solid stone thought to be ballast used at one time to balance ships sailing along the water.

In the decades since, the look of the home has remained mostly the same, although the once picturesque view of the Cape Fear River from the front porch is now blocked by a row of houses.

Regardless, the home serves as a window back in time at one of the most historic small towns in the Cape Fear.

Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston (‘Hud’) has always had two major loves – weather and history. While you can watch him talk about weather each evening on WWAY, he looks forward to bringing you a little piece of history each Thursday on WWAY’s website.

To read other History with ‘Hud’ segments, click HERE.