Southport

… town, SE Brunswick County on Cape Fear River. Fort Johnston, which see, built there, 1748-64. The town began to develop by 1792 and was named Smithville for Gen. Benjamin Smith (1751-1826). Inc. in 1805 and made county seat in 1808; remained so until a new government center opened near Bolivia in 1978. Name changed to Southport in 1889 because it was the southernmost seaport in the state. Alt. 26.