Hampstead, NC
Once only a small fishing village, Hampstead is one of the fastest
growing areas in North Carolina, as newcomers of all ages are making the
quaint little waterfront community their permanent home. Of all the
people flocking to the area, the majority are retirees, seeking the
peace of mind towns like Hampstead provide.
The community first gained notoriety in the late 1700s when it served
as a temporary home for George Washington. When residents say, "George
Washington slept here", they mean it. He bunked in a local public
house in 1791 on his tour of Southern states. In honor of his visit, the
Washington Oak, now a massive live oak tree, was planted as part of a
monument by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1925, and today
it is still the town centerpiece.
Hampstead actually is the largest of many small communities in the
area that make up Topsail Township. Though, with the recent population
boom, many of the smaller communities are catching Hampstead population
wise. However, there are still some rustic fishing shacks on the banks
of the Intracoastal Waterway, where generations have lived and plied
their trade in the nearby waters. Sadly, as progress and land values
have dictated, many of those quaint relics of another time are being
replaced by large, modern homes.
Despite the encroachment of the modern world, the history of the area
is cherished, and locals work hard preserving their heritage. The area
was a famous target for pirates, as Topsail Inlet was seen as a stealth
entrance to Topsail Sound, a notorious hideout for some of the most
famous pirates of the time, most notably, Blackbeard, Steed Bonnett and
Captain Kidd. Township residents are proud of the area's heritage and
celebrate it whenever possible.
Part of the reason the area is so popular is because of the many
recreation alternatives in the area. Hampstead offers a full service
marina and boat yard, and there are over a dozen golf courses within a
ten-minute drive from the township's diminutive borders. Commercial
trade in the area is strong, and with the recent widening of Highway 17
to four lanes, several national chain restaurants have been attracted to
the area.
Contact us for more Hampstead information.
