The Cape Fear River in History

The first mention of Cape Fear, North Carolina rook place over 400years ago by Governor John White of the Roanoke Colony which later became the Lost Colony. Back then he was nearly marooned on the Frying Pan Shoals but was able to get off.

In 1524, the Cape Fear River was called Rio Jordan and continued with that name until Verrazzano came 140 years later.

After that, the name changed with each new ruler. It became the Charles River in honor of English King Charles II, but renamed the Clarendon River because of the expansion of Charleston to the south.

After North and South Carolina were split apart, it became the River of the Cape Fear in 1933, later changed to Cape Fear River.

In 1991, Robert DeNiro made a movie called "The Cape Fear."

What's in a Name. --Cooter