Southport, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island are coastal North Carolina communities. History abounds in this area, settled by the Smith brothers in the late 1700s. A century later, Fort Caswell was built on Oak Island and used for Confederate defense. Two of North Carolina's historic lighthouses grace the beaches of the area. "Old Baldy" was built in 1817 in a unique octagonal shape. On Oak Island, the lighthouse is modern yet beautiful; it was completed in 1958. River steamer routes flowed through here until 1925, exporting and importing goods at the Wilmington port. Today, the area is a popular destination for tourists who enjoy the plentiful live oaks, fishing, the waterfront park of Southport, and the North Carolina Maritime Museum. Southport, Oak Island, and Bald Head Island showcases the rich military and recreational history of these coastal towns.