How the Joseph Ryder Lewis Park Came to Be-- Part 1

From the May 19, 2015, Island Gazette "Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Civil War Park."

On May 7, 2013,  a group of individuals from all over New Hanover County met at the Federal Point History Center to discuss preservation of earthworks known to be located  on property owned by the Town of Carolina Beach, N.C., by Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr.

The property covers about 12 acres near the Federal Point Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 421.

A committee was formed consisting of  local professional historians, Civil War scholars, archaeologists, town officials, members of the Federal Point  Historical Preservation Society, interested citizens and three members of the Joseph Ryder Lewis family.

Goals were set to document historic features and its significance to Civil War history, accurately locate the site on a map, determine proper means of preservation, and explore  the utilization of the site as an interpretation, educational and recreation park.  Also plans were developed to properly remove overgrowth on the site without damaging the integrity of the site.

--Old B-Runner

Joseph Lewis Ryder Jr. Civil War Park-- Part 2

 Before Lewis Jr's passing at age 84 in 2010, the lifelong Carolina Beach resident, US Army veteran and member of the Federal Point Historical Preservation Society (I also belong to it) bequeathed  the 10-acre patch of land to the town on the condition that it be turned into a park that preserved and highlighted the site's significance to the Confederacy in late 1864 and early 1865 when Union forces attacked Fort Fisher, several miles to the south of the park.

Today, the park includes a new bridge constructed over marshy land and connecting guests from the parking area to the preserved area that includes part of the Confederate Sugar Loaf Line earthworks.

The site isn't easy to find, though.

It sits behind a swath of commercial development on Carolina Beach Road (US Highway 421) that includes Dollar General and an ABC (alcohol) Store.  It is also beside the new Publix Grocery Store with which it shares its parking lot entrance.

--Old B-Runner

Park Day 2019 at Fort Fisher Saturday, April 6

Looking for something to do in southeast North Carolina tomorrow, April 6, and for a good cause?

Head on out to Kure Beach, all the way down to near the end of US Highway 421 on Federal Point, also known as Pleasure Island these days.

And that place you'd be going is Fort Fisher, my number one favorite Civil War place.  I'd sure love to be there, but alas, it is a question of way too many miles between there and here for me in northeastern Illinois.

From 8:30 to noon, they'll put you to work (no pay but you'll feel good to be doing some hood).

Be sure to wear comfortable work clothing and gave a pair of gloves

A luncheon will be provided from Michelangelo's Pizza and participants will get a free Park Day tee-shirt.

For more information, call 910-251-7342.

This is put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher State Historic Site.

Sure'd Like To Be There, But.  --Old Secesh

Carolina Beach (NC) Town Hall Gets Historic Fort Fisher Exhibits New Life-- Part 1

From the June 9, 2016, WWAY 3 ABC  (Wilmington, NC) by Taylor Yakowenko.

Four exhibits will be unveiled next week at the Carolina Beach Town Hall on US-421.  The Friends of Fort Fisher were instrumental in getting these exhibits.  They were originally a part of the collection of the long-closed Blockade Runner Museum in Carolina Beach, according to Friends of Fort Fisher executive director Paul Laird.

The diorama inserts had been in storage in the basement of the Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington for over 30 years and not accessible to the public.

I remember seeing these exhibits often as the Blockade Runner Museum was a major hang out for me back when I was growing up.  As a matter of fact, the Carolina Beach Town Hall is located in the building that used to be the Blockade Runner  Museum, so, in effect, the exhibits are returning to their former home.

I Know Where I'm Going This August.  --Old B-Runner