Topsail Beach's Missiles and More Museum: Operation Bumblebee

From the July 23, 2015, Pender-Topsail Post & Voice "Backyard Adventures: Missiles and More Museum" by Tammy Proctor.

The museum is located on the south end of Topsail Island in the Town of Topsail Beach and it preserves the history of the town, island and Operation Bumblebee.  The museum is located atthe Assembly Building which is home to the Topsail Island Historical Society which operates it.

When I first saw the name Assembly Building, I figured this is where people assemble for activities, but it was actually where rockets were assembled and ramjet technology was developed after World War II.

The rockets were then taken across the island to the launch pad which is where the patio of the Jolly Roger Motel is located.  The rockets would then be launched and tracked for trajectory and speed by crews stationed at eight concrete towers along the beach, most of which are still standing.The Assembly Building and neighboring concrete Control Tower are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The museum not only covers Operation Bumblebee but the whole history of the island which was closed to civilian use until after the military was finished using it in the late 1940s.  That would include the Gold Hole, pirates and even a Civil War blockade-runner which was sunk nearby.

It is open everyday but Sunday from two to five p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day during the summer.  It has reduced days the rest of the year except by appointment.  Admission is free but donations really welcomed.

--CooterBee

The Topsail island Swing Bridge to Be Replaced

From the July 30, 2014, Wilmington (NC) Star-News "Meeting draws crowd" by Bill Walsh.

DOT gives details about $57 million bridge proposed to replace old swing bridge.

If you've ever driven to Topsail Island near Wilmington, N.C., along the state's coast, you most likely know this old swing bridge for maddening traffic backups, especially during the summer high season.   A meeting was held at the Moose Lodge in Holly Ridge to explain what the N.C. DOT had in mind for the $57 million (80% federal funds, 20% state) high level (65-feet) fixed span bridge.

This new bridge will replace the old swing bridge which is classified as functionally obsolete that has been in use for over half a century.

Other plans were looked at before Alternative 17 was chosen.  The new bridge will be located about 900 feet south of the swing bridge. with two travel lanes, two bicycle lanes and a ten-foot multi-use lane.

In the mainland, DOT is planning a roundabout (I wonder why roundabouts have gotten so popular among planners as they are very dangerous).

The vast majority of the people at the presentation were happy with the new plans.

A Bridge to the Beach.  --Cooter

That Was ONE REALLY ROUGH Hurricane

The date was Oct. 15, 1954, when what is considered the worst natural disaster ever to strike the state of North Carolina, particularly along the coast, struck. And, that would be Hurricane Hazel.

At Carolina Beach, 98 mph winds destroyed 362 cottages, including the one belonging to my grandparents on the Southern Extension. Another 663 were badly damaged. I myself (at age 3), lived through it in Goldsboro, about ninety miles from the coast and even there, much damage took place.

At Topsail Beach, to the north of Carolina Beach, 231 cottages were destroyed (but not the concrete reinforced missile towers). Only 22 cottages were left.

One Big-Bad Storm. --Cooter