An often-forgotten Brunswick County lighthouse could soon be restored

Standing alone on the banks of the Cape Fear River is an often-forgotten symbol of the state’s maritime history.

Known as the Price’s Creek Lighthouse, the 20-foot-tall brick tower has been witness to war, river traffic, and many hurricanes. But it’s not open to visitors. The lighthouse currently sits on land owned by Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) in Southport.

Over the years, some have worried the tower has started to deteriorate. But according to Henry Stronger, manager of ADM’s Southport Plant, the lighthouse is consistently monitored for structural damage.

“Regular visual inspections of the Price’s Creek Lighthouse are conducted as part of the Southport manufacturing facility’s preventative maintenance program,” Stronger said in an email.

He also said this often-forgotten lighthouse could soon see some upgrades, and partnerships with local historical preservation groups may be on the horizon.

A light extinguished

Constructed in 1849, Price’s Creek was one of eight lighthouses located along a 25-mile section of the Cape Fear River. Others along the route included lights on Orton Point, Campbell Island, and Oak Island.

Initially, the Price’s Creek light was comprised of two range light structures: the 20-foot-tall brick tower that still stands today, and behind it, a square brick building topped with a lantern, giving it an overall height of 35 feet. The rear building served as the lightkeeper’s quarters.

The base of the brick tower is 17 feet in diameter with walls that are three feet thick. As the tower rises, it decreases to a diameter of 9 feet with walls that are two feet thick.

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During the Civil War, the Price’s Creek Lights served as Confederate signal stations, relaying communications between Fort Fisher and Fort Caswell. When the Union Army began to advance on the area, Confederate forces burned six of the eight lighthouses along the Cape Fear River to make navigation difficult for the Union Army. Only the Price’s Creek Lighthouses remained, but both were heavily damaged and taken out of service.

The U.S. Government abandoned the Price’s Creek Range Lighthouses in 1861, and by 1900, hurricanes had reduced the lightkeeper's cottage and lantern to rubble. The ruins of the keeper's cottage remain behind the Price's Creek Lighthouse.

A bright future?

In 1990, Archer Daniels Midland acquired property in Southport, which included Price’s Creek Lighthouse.

Brunswick County tax records show the company owns two tracts of land: 1730 E. Moore St., which includes more than 450 acres with waterfront property, and 1651 E. Moore St., which includes just over 130 acres.

“At the time of ADM’s acquisition of the Southport manufacturing facility, ADM was made aware of the existence and history of the Price’s Creek Lighthouse,” Stronger said in an email.

He noted the company also has historical documents describing the purchase and construction of the Price’s Creek Lighthouse. While ADM staff has conducted regular inspections of the lighthouse through its maintenance program, earlier this year, Strong said the company invited a “senior restoration specialist” to inspect the Price’s Creek Lighthouse earlier this year.

“The specialist confirmed the structure, including the interior, was generally in good condition overall,” he said, adding that “ADM plans to discuss further enhancements with the senior restoration specialist.”

The company also invited representatives from the Southport Historical Society, the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, and the Old Baldy Foundation to tour the Price’s Creek Lighthouse.

John Moseley, manager of the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, was among those who attended the tour.

"From a distance, the tower looks like it's in great shape, but the closer you get to it, you see that there's some issues that need to be addressed," Moseley said.

Moseley explained it appears that at some point, someone attempted to stabilize the lighthouse with modern-day concrete, which doesn't give like the original brick and mortar used when the tower was built in 1849. That has resulted in issues with some of the bricks.

In cooperation with ADM, Moseley reached out to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office about the lighthouse. Moseley visited the site again with someone from the State Historic Preservation Office and Jim McKee, site manager at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site.

Schorr Johnson, spokesman for the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), confirmed staff is consulting on the project.

Moseley said currently, SHPO is working on an idea to stop degradation of the structure and gather an estimate for repairing it. He added some site work also needs to be completed to allow for a complete investigation and recording the structures present. The site is currently covered in underbrush, making it difficult to visit during the summer months.

While some organizations reached out about preserving the structure in the past, Moseley said he is optimistic about the structure's restoration, noting it was ADM who reached out about its preservation.

"They are really wanting to make sure this gets taken care of," he said. "From my understanding, it started with the employees. They were walking down there to the site on their breaks, and they want to see it preserved. They are really driving the effort."

In addition to preservation of the structure, Moseley said the Maritime Museum at Southport and the Southport Historical Society are working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Ferry Division and ADM to get informational signage about Price's Creek Lighthouse installed at the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry Landing. Moseley said efforts are under way to construct a wayside panel, and both the ferry service and the ADM will have to approve it.

Once approved, Moseley said the Maritime Museum and the Southport Historical Society would begin fundraising for the project.

While Stronger did not reference specific plans, he did note the plant was pursuing "potential partnerships" with local organizations, and ADM planned to continue "outreach efforts."

Moseley hopes the restoration moves forward, noting it's important to the area's history as the last of the eight lighthouses that once stood along the banks of the Cape Fear River.

"It's something we're excited to be a part of, and we're hoping it's something that will be preserved for future generations to enjoy," he said.

Currently, ADM offers escorted tours of the Price’s Creek Lighthouse by appointment only due to site security issues. However, those eager for a glimpse of this symbol of maritime history can view it from the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry.

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Price's Creek Lighthouse in Brunswick could get restored