Wrightsville Beach and the Dread God of Fire

Cape Fear Unearthed

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