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60 Year Anniversary
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Rich in History

Since 1964, the Blockade Runner Beach Resort on Wrightsville Beach, NC has been crafting unforgettable stays. Since opening its doors, the resort has been the backdrop for generations of family memory-making and become a cornerstone of Wrightsville Beach's vibrant soul.

Today, it thrives with modern amenities like oceanfront dining, resort offerings, and family-friendly activities, all nestled amidst pristine gardens and breathtaking ocean views. 2024 marks a diamond anniversary, and the Blockade Runner invites you to celebrate with year-long events, special packages, and a taste of its rich history. Come experience a legacy of hospitality and create your own unforgettable stay.

Learn More About Our History
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The Blockade Runnerover the years

1897

On June 15th 1897, the Seashore opened it’s doors serving a splendid supper in the handsome dining room, while an excellent orchestra provided the music for a grand ball.

1928

Owner and Manager, E. L. Hinton, expands the Seashore Hotel to 200 rooms. The Colonial style hotel was three stories with a large dining room, ladies reception room, and sitting room.

1937

In 1935 the Seashore Hotel was acquired and the name was changed to The Ocean Terrace Hotel. The Ocean Terrace Hotel was an imposing Victorian-style hotel, opening it's doors in 1937.

1954

The Ocean Terrace Hotel suffered devastating damage from Hurricane Hazel and a year later was destroyed by a fire, leaving only the brick foundation to mark the site.

1961

Knowing Wrightsville Beach would never make a comeback without a large hotel, former mayor Mr. Michael Brown sold the land to Lawrence Lewis, president of the East Coast Hotel Company.

1962

Construction begins on the Blockade Runner Motor Hotel, the first high-level structure of its kind to be erected in coastal North Carolina in more than 20 years.

1964

The Blockade Runner Motor Hotel opened on March 22, 1964. It had one hundred and twenty guest rooms, each overlooking the Atlantic Ocean or Banks Channel.

1965

Due to the tremendous business that the Blockade Runner enjoyed, the owner was compelled to expand the property after just one year. Adding more rooms to the beachfront annex.

1971

Mr. Lewis sold the hotel in 1971 to Four Seasons Management Services, Inc., a group of doctors headed by Dr. Joseph Baggett of Fayetteville, changing the name to The Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

1989

The largest snowstorms in Wilmington's history hits Wrightsville Beach, the Great Christmas Blizzard of 1989 that dropped 15.3 inches.

1992

Andy Griffith films "The Vacation" episode from season seven of the popular TV show, Matlock, at the Blockade Runner.

2023

Castle Peak Holdings buys the hotel from the Baggett Family with plans for a transformative renovation in late 2024 to become part of the Trailborn family of hotels.