Discover Hampstead

Pender County was settled early on, mostly by English colonists who came to America to escape the rebellion of the Round Heads during Oliver Cromwell’s time.

The first settlers were mostly farmers, clearing the land to build plantations like Frog Hill and Grovedere which encompassed what is now the town of Hampstead. The Sloop Point Plantation house, dating back to 1726, is one of North Carolinas oldest buildings. During the colonial period it was a small active port for shipments of rice and lumber to foreign destinations.

George Washington stopped in Hampstead on his Southern Tour and is reported to have eaten lunch under an old live oak south of Hampstead where a monument records the event. (A portion of the original old road which Washington traveled by stage, can still be found near Hoover Road today.)

The advent of the railroad in the 1800s began a growth revolution as cotton, tobacco, beans and peanuts,previously transported by oxen or mules, were shipped by train. The railroad gave a name to Hampstead which was one of the old steam engine stops.

The warm temperate climate allows for year-round outdoor enjoyment. Fun activities at the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway include swimming, surfing, sailing, saltwater fishing, water skiing, kayaking, and jet skiing. Similar activities are available in the pristine waters of the Black River.

There are five golf courses in or near Hampstead and dozens more in adjoining New Hanover and Brunswick Counties. One of the best kept golf secrets is the exclusive Eagle Point Golf Club, rated one of the Top 10 New Private Courses in 2001 by Golf Digest.

Hampstead is a vital, active community with a vibrant mix of locals and newcomers, young families and active retirees. This diversity makes Hampstead unique among the popular relocation communities in the Cape Fear region.

Although Hampstead and Pender County remain essentially rural, they are easily accessible from Interstate 40 and Highways 17 and 117. Its beautiful beaches, unspoiled rivers, pristine woodlands and friendly communities make it a popular destination for tourists and a highly desirable location for those who choose to make it their home.

 

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