In 1934, Wrightsville Beach was on a high from nearly three decades of immense growth.

Massive hotels like The Oceanic brought in tourists, and venues like the famed Lumina Pavilion entertained them, as well as local residents, when they weren’t on the beach. Even the Great Depression hadn’t completely dampened the spirit.

It all seemed indestructible until a fire on Jan. 28, 1934, wiped out the entire north end of the island and threatened the beach’s livelihood in a matter of hours.

This week on the show, we talk about Wrightsville Beach's history up to the fire, why it was such a landmark moment for the town and how it thrust the tourist destination into a whole new era.

Joining the conversation is Madeline Flagler, executive director of the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning.

Sources:

-- "Land of the Golden River, Vol. 1" by Lewis Phillip Hall

-- "Historical Narrative 1841-1972 of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina," by Rupert Benson

-- "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island," by Ray McAllister

-- Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, wbmuseumofhistory.com

-- Wilmington Morning Star Editions, January to February 1934

In 1934, Wrightsville Beach was on a high from nearly three decades of immense growth.
Massive hotels like The Oceanic brought in tourists, and venues like the famed Lumina Pavilion entertained them, as well as local residents, when they weren&rsquo;t on the beach. Even the Great Depression hadn&rsquo;t completely dampened the spirit.
It all seemed indestructible until a fire on Jan. 28, 1934, wiped out the entire north end of the island and threatened the beach&rsquo;s livelihood in a matter of hours.
This week on the show, we talk about Wrightsville Beach's history up to the fire, why it was such a landmark moment for the town and how it thrust the tourist destination into a whole new era.
Joining the conversation is Madeline Flagler, executive director of the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History.
Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.
The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating &amp; Air Conditioning.
Sources:
-- "Land of the Golden River, Vol. 1" by Lewis Phillip Hall
-- "Historical Narrative 1841-1972 of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina," by Rupert Benson
-- "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island," by Ray McAllister
-- Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, wbmuseumofhistory.com
-- Wilmington Morning Star Editions, January to February 1934

StarNews Media Presents "Cape Fear Unearthed," a podcast digging into the history books of Southeastern North Carolina. The weekly podcast will feature stories drawn from the region's persisting legends, historical oddities and mysterious figures that have helped shape its legacy and culture.

Cape Fear Unearthed

Wrightsville Beach was awoken from a dream on Jan. 28, 1934 when a fire ripped through its north end and destroyed more than 100 structures, thrusting the town into a new era of uncertainty and progress.