Calabash, NC
Nestled on the tidal plains in the southeast corner of North Carolina
is Calabash, a fishing village with a timeless legacy and rich
tradition, undaunted by the encroaching modern world.
Known as the "Seafood Capital of the World", Calabash has become
a prime destination for retirees looking to slow things down.
The town took its name from the Calabash River, which was named by
the local slave population in the early 1800s. Calabash is an African
word for the gourds that grew wildly in the region. By the late 1800s
the area was known as Pea Landing because of the large amount of peanut
farming done in the area. Peanut, indigo, rice and other crops arrived
by wagon from nearby plantations to the sandy banks of the river and
were sent by boat to market in Wilmington. Though seafood was always a
dietary staple, prepared in the local custom known as Calabash, it did
not become a driving force of the local economy until the 1930s.
The Great Depression forced a majority of the local labor force out
of the fields, and many of them turned to the sea to feed their
families. Small shacks on the banks of the river began sprouting up,
serving fresh seafood prepared in the local custom at easily affordable
prices. It was not until then that the local seafood market began to
flourish and fisherman began selling their catch on the dock, from the
back of their boats. It was then Calabash became known the world over
for their seafood. In fact, when Jimmy Durante, the old radio
personality, closed his show with "Goodnight, Miss Calabash, wherever
you are...", he was referring to Lucy Coleman, who ran a Calabash style
restaurant Mr. Durante liked so much he promised her he would make it
famous - and he did.
Today, the sleepy fishing village of about 800 people is developing
in to a highly desirable retirement community. The area offers a wide
range of recreational activities, from horseback riding to golf on one
of the area's dozen golf courses; its location on the Calabash River
and proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway makes it ideal for boaters
and recreational fisherman. With a thriving artists community nearby,
the area is rich with culture - and in the afternoons, when the boats
come in - the "Seafood Capital of the World" lives up to its name.
Contact Us for more Calabash information.
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