There are approximately 500 people who live on the island year round. The population makes a huge climb to around 7,000 people. This huge influx helps the island to maintain itself during the off-season.
Prior to World War II, the only way to get onto Topsail was by boat and maritime forests covered the island. It is said that treasure hunters searched the entire island looking for Blackbeard’s buried treasure.
The island is found about midway between Wilmington and Jacksonville. It is 26 miles long, which includes three different communities. The first is Topsail Beach, followed by Surf City, and finally North Topsail Beach.
The Surf City Pier is a great family friendly place to spend an afternoon fishing. It is the first ocean side pier on the island and was built in 1948. Hurricane Fran destroyed the pier in 1996. After a short year, it re-opened in August 1997 and was completely rebuilt. It is now 937 feet long with an additional 40-foot area at the end for prime fishing.
In the 1940's, a secret missile testing projects were occurring at the missile assembly building. It was there that the military was developing and constructing missiles. The missile assembly building is located on the sound at Channel Blvd. and Flake Ave. in the Topsail Island business district. The Historical Society of Topsail now takes care of the missile assembly building and museum.
Prior to World War II, the only way to get onto Topsail was by boat and maritime forests covered the island. It is said that treasure hunters searched the entire island looking for Blackbeard’s buried treasure.
The island is found about midway between Wilmington and Jacksonville. It is 26 miles long, which includes three different communities. The first is Topsail Beach, followed by Surf City, and finally North Topsail Beach.
The Surf City Pier is a great family friendly place to spend an afternoon fishing. It is the first ocean side pier on the island and was built in 1948. Hurricane Fran destroyed the pier in 1996. After a short year, it re-opened in August 1997 and was completely rebuilt. It is now 937 feet long with an additional 40-foot area at the end for prime fishing.
In the 1940's, a secret missile testing projects were occurring at the missile assembly building. It was there that the military was developing and constructing missiles. The missile assembly building is located on the sound at Channel Blvd. and Flake Ave. in the Topsail Island business district. The Historical Society of Topsail now takes care of the missile assembly building and museum.