$2,125,000
About this home
For more than 150 years, The Cape Fear House has stood watch over the waters where the river meets the sea. At the confluence of the Cape Fear River, Atlantic Ocean, and Intracoastal Waterway, The Cape Fear House is a special opportunity to own a piece of history in one of North Carolina's most picturesque waterfront towns. Built in 1868 by Thomas Mann Thompson Jr.--a successful river pilot and Civil War blockade runner--this stately residence embodies Southport's maritime legacy. From its double front porches to its original heart pine floors, every detail tells a story. The home is the only residence in Southport to feature both a widow's walk and a cupola, offering unmatched vantage points over the Cape Fear River, Fort Caswell, and Bald Head Island. With five airy bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, the layout is flexible for family living or hosting guests. *Spanning three parcels and deeded to the waterline with direct beachfront access, the property provides potential for simple living or a compound-style retreat. Lovingly cared for by the same family since 1972 and thoughtfully updated in 2015, the home retains its historic charm while embracing today's lifestyle. Its cinematic backdrop has been sought after for many film and television productions. The true opportunity at 216 W. Bay Street lies beyond its bricks and beams. Ownership here is more than acquiring a residence--it is becoming the next steward of one of Southport's most storied waterfront landmarks. The Cape Fear House is more than a home--it's a story waiting to continue. Contact us today to schedule your private showing of this Southport icon.
Highlights
Property details
- MLS
- Hive MLS
- MLS #
- 100561116
- Property type
- Single Family Residence
- Subdivision
- Not In Subdivision
- Status
- Active
- Days on market
- 287
- On market date
- March 18, 2026
- Stories
- N/A
- Total bathrooms
- 3.5
- Garage spaces
- 2
- Parking spaces
- 2
- Lot size
- 0.69 acres
Location
Get directions →Nearby schools
Within 10 miles. School directory data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), accessed via the Urban Institute Education Data API. Local Score is calculated by INNOVATE Real Estate; where a state rating is shown, it comes from that state's own official school report card.
- Enrollment
- 432
- Student:teacher ratio
- 13.9:1
- District
- Brunswick County Schools
- Enrollment
- 636
- Student:teacher ratio
- 17.2:1
- District
- Brunswick County Schools
- Enrollment
- 365
- Student:teacher ratio
- 33.2:1
- District
- Brunswick County Schools
Walkability
Blended score for Southport's center, calculated by INNOVATE Real Estate from two sources: the EPA's National Walkability Index (street network, transit, land-use mix) and Google Places amenity data (what's actually reachable on foot from this point). EPA National Walkability Index only -- nearby-amenity data not cached yet for this area.
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Data source: Listing information provided by Hive MLS via Trestle/CoreLogic. Last updated 25 days ago.
Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed; all measurements, school assignments, HOA fees, taxes, and feature lists are approximate and should be independently verified. Equal Housing Opportunity.