In 1889, the rail line was extended across the Hammocks and onto the barrier island where it then ran southward along a route which is now South Lumina Avenue. Until the automobile era, the "Beach Car" was the lifeline to Wrightsville Beach.

On July 4, 1907, 8700 passengers traveled to the beach by rail.  At the end of the rail line was Lumina Pavilion, built in 1905 by the Tidewater Power Co.; Lumina was constructed on 200 feet of ocean frontage at Station 7.  Lumina's 12,500 square foot complex presented visitors with three levels of games and activities and a magnificent dance hall.  

The Great Fire of 1934 destroyed over one hundred buildings on Wrightsville Beach.  In 1935, the trolley era gave way to the automobile.

Hurricane Hazel hit Wrightsville Beach, at high tide and with a full moon, on October 15, 1954, destroying approximately 200 houses and damaging 500 more.

A new era began in the 1960's as Wrightsville Beach rebuilt after Hurricane Hazel.  Currently, there are 2,604 year round residents, with the population swelling to 45-50,000 in the summer months.

This is simply the beginning. In the coming weeks I will be doing more in depth stories about the people who helped to make Wrightsville Beach the place to be, the architecture that is unique to Wrightsville Beach, and what we all can do to help preserve that history.

If you have a Wrightsville Beach story to share, I'd love to hear it! Please email me or give me a call, 910.547.1446.