Topsail Beach NC consists of three separate towns, Surf City, Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach. Each town offers the perfect beach feel without the busy tourist feel of some beach towns. Made up of over twenty-six miles of beautiful, white sand and boasting such a rich history, the town of Topsail Island provides the perfect vacation spot for just about anyone. The overall atmosphere of Topsail Island is very laid back and family-friendly.
Topsail Beach NC is conveniently located only 30 minutes away from both Jacksonville and Wilmington on the eastern coast of North Carolina. It is believed that Topsail Island received its name from the pirates that would roam the island. The topsail on pirates' masts could be seen in the distance as ships passed by the island, which led to the name. Ships would often turn around at the sight of the high sails near Topsail Island. Blackbeard was known to wander the island, and the high masts of his ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, were enough to scare away any sailor. The mysterious history of the island does not end here.
There were four ships that made up the fleet under Blackbeard. Queen Anne's Revenge was captured off of the Bahamas in 1717, and served as Blackbeard's flagship. The Queen Ann, the Adventure, and the Revenge, along with a tender that served the other ships, made up the fleet. Over three hundred men worked aboard the three main fighting ships that reigned for approximately two years. Unlike many of the pirates' ships at that time, Blakbeard did not fly a typical skull and crossbones flag, rather he flew a flag with a red heart, which represents mercy. The tale of Blackbeard's evil reign ended off the coast of North Carolina. It turns out that Blackbeard was actually a man from Bristol England, named Richard Drummond.
The Tucscarora Indians represent another important part of Topsail Island's history. Artifacts, such as arrowheads, have been found on the island, indicating that the Tucscarora Indians used Topsail Island as a hunting ground. The evidence of Indian villages throughout the island shows that this tribes use of Topsail Island dates back thousands of years.
In the 1800s, off of Highway 17, between Hampstead and Holly Ridge, there was a salt mine in Sloop Point. This salt mine was important in the Civil War, as the salt produced was used to preserve meats.
Topsail Beach NC was also used as an area for cattle to graze. As the island was not accessible by car until the 1940s, farmers would have to walk their cattle to the island at low tide. The island was also an important fishing ground for locals.
Topsail Beach began to see numerous changes during the 1940s. The island was chosen as the site for Operation Bumblebee by the United States Navy. Experimental missiles were launched across the island during Operation Bumblebee, and eventually this led to the development of the ramjet engine. The ramjet engine allowed aircraft to exceed the speed of sound. The name of this experiment, Operation Bumblebee, came from the odd shape of the bumblebee. According to aerodynamic experts, neither a bumblebee, nor the experimental missiles should be able to fly, yet they both did.
When you visit Topsail Island, you may see the remnants of the observation towers used to track missiles during Operation Bumblebee. The towers are three stories high and can be found throughout the island. Some of the towers have been refurbished, and one was even added to a house on the island without too much remodeling.
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