Water Front Park

Citizens and visitors today enjoy the swings and benches in Waterfront Park and fishing from city pier. Several historical markers are found in the park. On October 15, 1954, Hurricane Hazel, with winds over 120 miles per hour, destroyed most of waterfront structures that were used for the canning and shrimping businesses. There was no loss of life and the houses along the north side of BayStreet did not suffer significant damage. From the park, one can see ocean freight ships being piloted back and forth from the port in Wilmington and two of the seven famous North Carolina lighthouses. "Old Baldy", built in 1817 and located on Bald Head Island is the oldest lighthouse on the North Carolina coast. It is 109 feet high, but is no longer working. The 1958 Oak Island lighthouse, the newest North Carolina lighthouse, is 169 feet high and has a light that flashes every ten seconds. The light can be seen for a range of 24 miles. It is the brightest light in the United States and second brightest in the world.