A little piece of history

As some of you know I was born on Wrightsville Beach and at the age of 3 we moved to Greenville Sound on Hewlett's Creek where I grew up under the wing of my grandfather, learning how to fish, crab, clam (my first real job) and hunt.

This area has a rich history for me as my great, great grandfather was granted this land from what I understand, from the King of England. Back then it was a great expanse of land which went on the other side of what is now Greenville Loop road and through the ages of time, was deeded to this relative, that son, daughter or cousin.

This land also was rich in American history and has played a part in the Civil War. On the land was an encampment and to this day you can still find the mound where the Hospital tent was located. To the east, just across Costion's Branch, was another Civil War area where they would fire rounds over to the old Salt Works on the opposite side of the creek to practice with the cannons.

Back then, the road was cut through the Scrub Oaks of the Maritime forest and to this day still remains in part that way, with large Water Oaks marking your way to the water.

Over the years, the original home stead was sold to the Harpers after my Great Grandfather and my Grandfather built the house I grew up in the 1900's. As with most houses, they started small and as the family grew, so did the house. If you look at a lot of the houses built back in that era you can see how it was done. After that it was sold to Laird and Clark. In my early life, both were like my second parents and if I could not be found, most of the time I was over there, playing with the dogs or asleep.

So goes as to where I fell in love with that house. Also in Clark's garage is also where I first remember the smell of old MirrOlures, Hopkins, Sea Hawks (now called "Got-chas") and to this day when ever I open a box of MirrOlures my mind roams back those days of care free innocence.

One of the main reasons that I chose to do this series in my bog is that Laird passed on a little while back and Clark passed on early this. The house was passed down to Clarks niece, Janet and her husband Mickey who I have known for some years. Mickey and Janet are going to build a new house on the old home site and knowing the history, wanted to move the old house to another part of the land to preserve it, but the "Fathers" of Wilmington would not grant a variance to them so that could be done, and now the house will be torn down...such a shame but I do not/ will not fault Mickey or Janet for this...I do how ever fault my city government for having such a closed mind and it just goes to show how money talks and bullcrap walks as far as the government is concerned.. and we lose another piece of history...enough of my rant, that's not why I am blogging this.

I'm doing this so all of you can share with me a piece of history, salty history, an area that played a part of history with the Civil War, a house that the Carpet Baggers thought that they would have a piece of only to never find their way out.
A big part of my life, growing up, making my first life long friend, thanks to Clark throwing me into the hammock with Chris. Just another little part of my life..I hope you enjoy...

The Water Oak in the middle of the drive...


This was the first part of the house that was built, bed rooms on this end and kitchen and living room on the water side


Brick walk to the house, love how the bushes & trees cascade over you as you walk toward the entrance...


This little guy greeted me this morning when I went to take pictures, so I figured that he should be part of the tour as well, its his home too...


The north side, notice the large gable vents to help keep the house cool in the summer and keep the pressure from building up to great when the storms came...


The porch, facing West to keep the late afternoon sun off the bedrooms...in the picture, ghostly look with the morning sun coming through the house...


A view through the doors to the front of the house...the section you are viewing is part of the add on of the house...


This is the west side and again the large gable vents. I love this style or look of the houses from back then, has that "Charlston" feel to it for me...


The South and West sides, the large porch was added on by Laird & Clark. I was bit by my first pet Squirrel there...


From the south side, small room on the right is a small sitting room over looking the sound...




A little closer view...


This is the only picture that you can get a since of how large the Water Oaks are. View is looking toward the creek...you can just see the hammock that Clark throw me in with Chris...



Looking across the yard...


Looking to the waterway...


A little higher up...


Some what clearer view...


The house where I grew up, this part was added on when my Great Grandmother on Daddypop's side (his mom) came to live with them...this side faces the water and is called the front of the house...Daddypop (my grandfather) and his father built this house...

East side of the house...


love all the stately Water Oaks in our area...


This is my house, that I built behind the house where I grew up...a little piece of history...