History with ‘Hud’: The evolution of Carolina Beach State Park
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina is home to 41 State Parks, with five being located right here in the Cape Fear. The oldest of the local parks is Jones Lake State Park and Singletary Lake State Park, which were both founded in 1939 — 24 years after North Carolina’s first State Park was established at Mount Mitchell in 1915.
One of the most popular North Carolina state parks year after year is Carolina Beach State Park in New Hanover County. It was established 55 years ago in 1969 as Masonboro State Park, first opening to the public in 1971. The name was changed to Carolina Beach State Park in 1974 following a petition from the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
But long before ideas about a state park along the Cape Fear River began to circulate, Native Americans inhabited the area. They quickly grew hostile against early settlers, participating in an uprising against Europeans in the area in 1715. But they were defeated and left the region by 1725. Many artifacts displaying their once prominence have been found in the state park, including pottery, arrowheads and mounds of oyster shells.
In 1726, a permanent settlement was established along the lower Cape Fear. But it wasn’t for another two centuries that the present-day look began to take shape.
The land today known as Pleasure Island was created when Snow’s Cut was dredged in 1929 through 1930, connecting Masonboro Sound to the Cape Fear River.
290 acres of land was purchased some 40 years later from owner James Carr, with $125,000 being provided by the NC General Assembly for facility development. It was the state’s first expenditure for parkland since Mount Mitchell over half a century earlier.
The park grew in popularity over the years due to its many miles of hiking trails and variety of native plants. Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, butterworts and bladderworts are all found in the park. Other amenities include a marina, campsites, picnic area, and a visitor’s center featuring natural history exhibits.
Carolina Beach State Park marked a record number of visitors in 2020, with well over one million people enjoying the grounds. It looks to remain a popular Cape Fear experience for years to come.
