Brunswick County’s place names offer more than just distinctive labels on a map – they provide fascinating glimpses into the legal history that shaped our region. From colonial land grants to courthouse relocations, many of our familiar town names have surprising legal origins hidden just beneath the surface. At Julian Doby Law, we’re proud to practice in a region with such a rich legal heritage, where even the names of our communities tell stories of legal significance.
Southport: From Fort Johnston to County Seat
Originally known as Smithville, the city we now call Southport obtained its name through a fascinating legal process. The town was officially commissioned in 1792 by the General Assembly of North Carolina, which directed a small group of men led by Joshua Potts to create a town surrounding Fort Johnston. They named it after Benjamin Smith, who not only represented the area in the NC House of Commons but later became the 16th Governor of North Carolina.
What many visitors don’t realize is that Smithville became the county seat of Brunswick County in 1808 through legislative action. In 1887, the town’s name was legally changed to Southport as part of an economic development initiative, with the ambitious goal of turning the area into a major shipping port. Though the port development never materialized as envisioned, the name change remained official, and the town continued as the county seat for nearly 170 more years.
In 1978, an important legal transition occurred when Brunswick County officials, responding to the shifting population center, moved the county seat from Southport to its current, more central location in Bolivia. This represents one of the most significant government relocations in the county’s history and transformed both communities in the process.
Bolivia: From South America to North Carolina
One of Brunswick County’s most unusual place names belongs to our current county seat – Bolivia. While you might assume this small town was named after the South American country, the actual legal story is more complex and locally rooted.
According to historical accounts, the name originated from the shipping industry that was central to the area’s economy. Boxes of tar and turpentine from North Carolina’s pine-focused economy were often stamped “Bolivia” when shippe
d to South America. Local residents apparently liked the name, and when it came time to officially designate the community, Bolivia was chosen.
The legal significance of Bolivia increased dramatically in 1977 when county officials decided to relocate the Brunswick County courthouse and administrative offices there from Southport. This move required significant legal action and restructuring of county services. Today, this small community of approximately 150 people serves as one of North Carolina’s least populous county seats but remains the legal and administrative heart of Brunswick County.
Leland: A Personal Name Becomes Official
The town of Leland offers a fascinating case study in how unofficial community names become legally recognized entities. In the mid-1890s, the area was simply an unnamed settlement at the crossroads of Village Road and the Wilmington, Columbia, and Augusta Railroad.
The legal origin of the name dates precisely to 1897, when Joseph W. Gay and other citizens petitioned the U.S. Post Office Department in Washington, D.C. for a local post office. Their petition included three potential names for the settlement, and from those options, officials selected “Leland” – named after Gay’s nephew, Leland Adams. The Leland Post Office officially opened on February 10, 1898, giving the community its first legal recognition.
However, it wasn’t until nearly a century later that Leland became legally incorporated. After residents voted down incorporation in 1979, the Leland Civic Association led a successful effort in 1989, with residents voting 427 to 42 to establish the 19.9 square mile area as an official municipality. The Leland Town Charter Commission, comprising 12 members chosen for their civic commitment, completed the legal incorporation process on September 12, 1989.
Today, Leland stands as the most populous town in Brunswick County and one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing municipalities, demonstrating how a simple postal designation can evolve into a thriving legal jurisdiction.
Calabash: From Natural Resource to Legal Entity
The distinctive name “Calabash” has legal origins tied to natural features of the landscape. First recorded in 1814 as the “Callebash River,” the name refers to the calabash gourd that grew in the region and was used by early settlers for drinking well water.
The community remained unincorporated for many decades while developing its famous seafood industry. Calabash-style seafood became so renowned that it created its own form of intellectual property – a distinctive cooking method now recognized throughout the region and beyond. This culinary tradition helped put Calabash on the map decades before it became a legal municipality.
The town wasn’t officially incorporated until the 20th century, but today’s legal boundaries include the southwestern corner of Brunswick County, with the South Carolina state line forming its southwestern border. Calabash’s incorporation allowed it to establish its own governing ordinances and regulations, helping preserve the unique character that makes it the self-proclaimed “Seafood Capital of the World.”
Shallotte: From River Name to Municipal Law
Shallotte’s legal name has an interesting evolution that begins with a waterway. Historical records from 1734 mention the “Little Charlotte” or “little Charlotta” river, likely honoring Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King George III. Over time, through various spelling changes and pronunciations, the name evolved to “Shallotte” to distinguish it from the inland city of Charlotte.
The Town of Shallotte was legally incorporated on March 6, 1899, formalizing a community that had already been developing around river trade and transportation. According to some accounts, the town’s name came from a traveler who crossed the river by ferry and referred to it as the Charlotte River, with the name gradually shifting to Shallotte through common usage.
Today, Shallotte’s legal jurisdiction covers approximately 9.3 square miles in west-central Brunswick County, positioning it as a central commercial hub for the region. The town’s legal evolution parallels many of its neighbors – beginning as an informal settlement, gaining recognition through postal service, and eventually becoming an incorporated municipality with its own ordinances and government structure.
The Quiz: Test Your Brunswick County Legal Place Name Knowledge
Now that you’ve learned about the legal origins behind some of Brunswick County’s distinctive place names, test your knowledge with these challenging questions:
Question 1: Which legislative body commissioned the creation of the town of Smithville (now Southport) in 1792? A) The British Parliament B) The North Carolina General Assembly C) The Brunswick County Commission D) The United States Congress
Question 2: In what year did the Brunswick County seat officially move from Southport to Bolivia? A) 1958 B) 1968 C) 1978 D) 1988
Question 3: The legal name of Leland came from which governmental petition? A) A request to form a new county B) A petition for a railroad station C) A petition to the U.S. Post Office Department D) A lawsuit between neighboring communities
Question 4: What was the original legal status of Fort Johnston before Smithville/Southport developed around it? A) A British colonial fortification B) A private trading post C) A Native American reservation D) A Spanish missionary settlement
Question 5: Which Brunswick County town received its official name from shipping crates used in international trade? A) Leland B) Shallotte C) Bolivia D) Calabash
Question 6: The name “Calabash” was first officially recorded in reference to what? A) A type of seafood preparation B) A river C) A court case D) A land grant
Question 7: What legal action in 1887 changed Smithville’s name to Southport? A) A Supreme Court decision B) A referendum by town residents C) A decree by the Governor D) An act by the North Carolina legislature
Modern Legal Significance
Today, Brunswick County’s place names represent more than just historical curiosities – they define legal jurisdictions with significant implications for property owners, businesses, and residents. Municipal boundaries determine tax rates, zoning regulations, school districts, and which ordinances apply to specific properties.
For example, understanding whether a property falls within the incorporated limits of towns like Leland, Southport, or Shallotte has direct legal consequences for development permits, utility connections, and public services. These boundaries continue to evolve through annexation and incorporation proceedings, extending the legal stories behind our place names into the present day.
At Julian Doby Law, we regularly help clients navigate these jurisdictional questions as part of real estate transactions, business formations, and other legal matters. The rich history behind our county’s place names provides an important backdrop for understanding the legal landscape in which we practice.
Looking Forward: New Places, New Legal Stories
As Brunswick County continues to grow and develop, we’ll likely see new place names emerge, each with its own legal foundation. Newly developed communities, planned developments, and commercial centers will establish their identities through legal processes of naming, zoning, and incorporation.
Understanding the legal history behind our place names gives us greater appreciation for the complex tapestry of laws, ordinances, and governmental actions that shape our communities. From a simple postal designation like Leland to a county seat relocation like Bolivia, these names reflect the living, evolving nature of our legal system.
The next time you pass a Brunswick County place name sign, remember that behind that simple designation lies a fascinating legal story – one that continues to unfold with each new chapter in our county’s development.
Answer Key
Question 1: B) The North Carolina General Assembly Explanation: The North Carolina General Assembly commissioned a group led by Joshua Potts to create the Town of Smithville (later Southport) in 1792.
Question 2: C) 1978 Explanation: In 1978, the Brunswick County seat was relocated from Southport to Bolivia to provide a more central location as the county’s population grew.
Question 3: C) A petition to the U.S. Post Office Department Explanation: In 1897, Joseph W. Gay and other citizens petitioned the U.S. Post Office Department for a local post office, proposing “Leland” as one of three possible names.
Question 4: A) A British colonial fortification Explanation: Fort Johnston was originally a British fort, built between 1745 and 1754 to protect the Cape Fear River region from Spanish attackers.
Question 5: C) Bolivia Explanation: The name “Bolivia” was stamped on boxes of tar and turpentine shipped from North Carolina to South America, and local residents adopted the name for their community.
Question 6: B) A river Explanation: The name “Calabash” was first recorded in 1814 as the Callebash River, named after the calabash gourd that grew in the region.
Question 7: D) An act by the North Carolina legislature Explanation: The name change from Smithville to Southport was legally enacted in 1887 through legislative action with the goal of promoting the area as a major shipping port.