Northern Brunswick County includes Northwest, Sandy Creek, Maco, Leland, Town Creek and Winnabow. Maco, a tiny community outside of Wilmington is famous for its earthlight called The Maco Light. Back in 1867 Joe Baldwin was in the caboose which separated from a freight train. Another train was approaching the caboose and Joe went on the platform to wave his lantern as a warning. The second train rear ended the caboose and Joe Baldwin was decapitated. For years afterwards it was believed that Joe’s ghost appeared as a white swinging light at the vicinity of the accident. In 1977 the tracks on the rail line were removed and The Maco Light has never been seen again.

Winnabow, a farming community on U.S. 17, is the location of the Orton Plantation Gardens and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Historic Site. Orton Plantation located on the Cape Fear River was once a thriving rice plantation. Orton was the home of Roger Moore who along with other members of the family founded the town of Brunswick. Originally a one and a half story structure the Orton House was later converted to two stories when owned by Dr. Frederick Jones Hill. Dr. Hill purchased the plantation at an auction when the previous owner Benjamin Smith fell on hard times. In the 1860’s the Orton House served as a hospital for Union soldiers. After the death of its next owner, Col. Kenneth Murchison, it became the property of James Sprunt and his wife Luola. The Sprunts added wings to the house and began developing the flower gardens. In 1915 they had a chapel built on the property due to the distance of local parishes. The gardens were enlarged by their son James and his wife Annie during the 1930’s. The plantation now owned by descendents of James and Luola contains 20 acres of walking paths among the formal and natural gardens, ponds and lagoons. The gardens are also well known for the numerous oak trees planted by the Sprunts.

Brunswick Town was founded in 1726 by the Moore family. To honor King George I they used the name of his birthplace, Brunswick, Germany. Brunswick became a major port for shipping tar and other products used in building ships. The growth of Wilmington attracted residents to leave Brunswick which played a role in the demise of the town. Few residents remained during a British raid in 1776 when Brunswick was destroyed by fire. Nearly 100 years after Brunswick was destroyed the Confederate’s built Fort Anderson to defend Wilmington as the Cape Fear River was a vital route in moving supplies for General Lee’s army. When Confederate soldiers found themselves under attack at the rear of the fort and by sea they were quickly forced to abandon it. During the 1950’s and 1970’s archaeological digs unearthed remains of several structures including a portion of St. Philips Anglican Church and a graveyard where many well-known citizens of Brunswick were buried. Visitors today can see remains of the town as well as the site where five large cannons in the fort were placed to defend the shipping canal.

Near Town Creek is the Ev-Henwood Nature Preserve, once the property of John Bassett Evans in the late 1700’s. The 174 acres of land is a mixture of swamp and hardwood forests. Johns Evans and his descendents used the land for farming and it wasn’t until 1954 that anyone lived on the property. At that time Mr. Evans’ descendent, Troy Henry built a home. The property was donated to the University of North Carolina in 1991 by Mr. Henry and at that time was given the name Ev-Henwood from the names of Mr. Evans and Mr. Henry. Today visitors can enjoy the many interesting species of trees along the two self-guided learning trails, see an old tar kiln and perhaps catch sight of an alligator.

Leland has the distinction of being one of the fastest growing communities in Brunswick County. It is ideally located on the Brunswick River. In the late 1890’s Mr. Joseph Gay was among a group of people who petitioned the U.S. Post Office for a local post office. The name Leland was the first name of Mr. Gay’s nephew, Leland Adams. Today Leland is the sight of Brunswick Forest, an exceptional 4,500 acre planned community which includes town homes and golf course estates.

Brunswick Forest believes in offering you a choice of housing to fit your lifestyle. Choose among the several neighborhoods including Gardenwood surrounded by gardens and parks, Walden set among woodlands and Villamar which features unique villa homes. There is something for everyone in the amenities offered at Brunswick Forest. The real jewel of the community is the Cape Fear National golf club. When complete there will be 27 holes of world-class golfing tucked amid a mature forest panorama. The community also includes a state of the art Wellness Center to enjoy tennis, swimming in either the indoor or outdoor pools, a variety of exercise equipment and a spa.

If you’re looking to spending more time out of doors there are walking and bike trails to enjoy or wander the Community Garden. The greenhouse, fruit orchard and vegetable patches will appeal to all of your senses. The River Club along Town Creek offers a peaceful area for kayaking, fishing or a relaxing picnic. For a private day at the beach the Ocean Club is just a short distance away. Located on the Atlantic Ocean it’s the ideal place for swimming, sun bathing or to just enjoy the ocean breeze.

Just outside of the residential area is the Village Center. This planned commercial and retail center provides convenient shopping, dining and professional services. Whether you’re searching for a place to raise a family or enjoy a relaxing retirement, Brunswick Forest is a destination to meet your ultimate desires.