Brunswick Town, once a port city on the Cape Fear River, is considered one of North Carolina's ghost towns, known for its long historical significance and structural remnants from an earlier era. It provides visitors an interesting cultural experience.
Founded in 1726, Brunswick Town was discovered by the son of a South Carolina governor. Its name pays homage to the then-king of England, George I, who had been a native of Brunswick, Germany. North Carolina was once a colony of England.
The city of Brunswick Town became integral to the politics of the day. Its courthouse hosted the colonial assembly and the ports were frequently handling pitch, tar and turpentine.
Visitors to Brunswick Town are able to view ruins from St. Philip's Anglican Church, which was built in 1754, and Russellborough, the home of a sea captain and base to previous governors. Hiking trails and guided tours provide the opportunity to explore Fort Anderson and other exposed foundations.
Brunswick Town is popular among birding enthusiasts for its population of rare and local species. On the historic North Carolina Birding Trail, one can see bald eagles, warblers, painted buntings and many types of sparrows.
Brunswick Town gets its "ghost town" image because it came back after a disastrous experience in 1779, when British troops burned the city to the ground in the Revolutionary War. It was never rebuilt and by the early 1800s, was mostly abandoned. Today, it is a thriving community of residents and visitors (and maybe a few ghosts).
