Oldest Wrightsville Beach house for sale, historians fear demolition

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A piece of history on Wrightsville Beach has an uncertain future.

It may look like just another vacation house tucked behind the sand dunes on Wrightsville Beach, but this little cottage has a big story.

“It’s the only house on this beach that survived the 1899 ‘Great Storm,'” Wrightsville Beach Museum Executive Director Madeline Flagler said.

Flagler said according to news paper archives, nothing survived that storm.

“Basically it wiped this beach clean,” Flagler said.

Now, this historic house has to survive a property sale.

“I know that the Bluethenthal family would really not like for it to be torn down, but it is very hard to protect that unless you’re willing to put a preservation easement on it.”

Flagler said she has been working with the family and the realtor about how to save the house before the sale closes.

“We would all like to see it saved, but we have not found that solution at this point in time,” Flagler said.

One solution is to move the house to the last lot in the historic square designated for historic houses that were once going to be torn down.

“Houses that would then be used as non-profits here at the beach,” Flagler said.

Whether the historic house is left on that lot, moved to this lot, or moved to another lot, Flagler said it is history like this that makes Wrightsville Beach more than just a vacation destination.

“If you raise a ground and build new beautiful buildings, those new beautiful buildings can be found anywhere,” Flagler said. “Being able to retain historic houses is what makes Wrightsville Beach Wrighstville Beach.”

The realtor did not want to comment on the sale of the house until a final decision is made.