Step Back into History at Orton Plantation

Orton Plantation offers a glimpse back to the early days of Brunswick County. The lavish green spaces and historic structures beckon visitors to pause and reflect on the perseverance it would have taken to start a community amid threats from pirates, Indians and the elements of nature. Multiple motion pictures have been filmed on the grounds of Orton plantation. An on-site gift shop features historical and movie souvenirs.

History

In 1725 three brothers established a permanent settled along the Cape Fear River. Roger, Nathaniel and Maurice Moore created an area known as Brunswick Town and what has become the most well-known rice plantation of the lower cape region. The original Orton Plantation building was destroyed by a blaze started by Indians. In 1735 Roger Moore rebuilt on the Orton site, constructing a one and a half story house for his family. The ambitious land owner cleared marshes and trees to establish more rice fields. Moore then dammed the waters of Orton Creek to flood the rice fields while maintaining a fresh water reserve totaling five miles in length.

Moore became known as "King Roger" due to his charismatic personality, generosity and commitment to the development of the Brunswick Town. Moore was a member of the town governing council and lead the administration of public affairs. After Moore's death in 1751, his only surviving son sold Orton Plantation to Richard Quince.

A successful merchant, Quince became a chairman of the local court of Common Pleas and a Brunswick Town commissioner. Quince also served the burgeoning county during the Revolutionary War. Upon his death in 1778, Quince's son sold Orton Plantation to Benjamin Smith.

Smith just happened to be a grandson of Roger Moore, and served as an aide to General George Washington during the American Revolution. In 1810, Smith was elected as the Governor of North Carolina. He chartered the town of Smithville, which was later renamed Southport. Despite all his earlier good fortune, Smith died penniless in 1824 after attempting to help a friend in a financial matter on a government contract. Orton Plantation, which consisted of nearly 5,000 was sent to the auction block to cover Smith's debts.

Nathaniel Moore's grandson, Dr. Frederick Jones Hill purchased the property in 1826. Dr. Hill played an instrumental role in the development of the local school system and was also a well-known philanthropist. After making Orton Plantation his home, Jones quickly went to work adding a second floor and Doric style columns to the house.

Civil War Era

Dr. Hill sold the plantation to Thomas Calezance Miller in 1854. According to a letter attributed to Calezance's daughter, Orton Plantation fell to ruin after the Civil War. The plantation was commandeered and utilized as a hospital and lodging for troops by Union soldiers in 1865. In 1872, the once prosperous plantation was once again placed on the auction block. No willing or able buyers came forth, so Orton was left abandoned until 1876 when Richardson Roundel bought the property. Roundel's ownership was short-lived, as he committed suicide shortly after moving into the house.

Late 1800's - Early 1900's

Sometime during the late 1870's Roundel's heirs sold the property to Captain David Reid Murchison and his brother -in-law Major C.M. Stedman. Once again Orton Plantation changed hands quickly, when the pair sold the property to Murchison's brother, Colonel Kenneth Mckenzie Murchison.

Murchison fully restored the structures on Orton Plantation to their original splendor. Upon his death in 1904, his son-in-law, James Sprunt bought the estate. Sprunt and his wife Lola built additional wings on the main house and added a manicured garden. The couple also built a small chapel on-site. Sprunt was quite a philanthropist. During his years as owner of the Orton Plantation he gave funds for the building of churches in the region, donated money for a wing to a local hospital in the memory of his daughter and created a financial fund for crippled youngsters.

Sprunt's heirs expanded the garden area after inheriting the property when their father died in 1924. The flowering shrubs, native plants and towering trees now stretched far beyond the main house, reaching the Orton Plantation cemetery. During the late 1930's the lavish gardens were opened for paid public tours to help defray the costs associated with the care of a cousin after a tragic automobile accident. Due to the interest and pleasure the public expressed over the garden tour, what began as a one time event still continues.

Late 1900's

Sprunt's heirs continued to expand and maintain the gardens well into the 1990's. The main house still stands, offering views of the Cape Fear River, rice fields and the fragrant gardens. The wooded areas on the plantation still appear much as they did when the plantation was first surveyed and was but a dream designed on a piece of primitive parchment paper.

2010

In the summer of 2010 the Orton Plantation changed hands once again. Louis Moore Bacon, a descendent of original owner Roger Moore purchased the property and began restoration on the buildings and continued maintenance on the gardens. While the transition of ownership and structural facelift caused the doors to close for a time, Bacon is expected to carry on the family tradition of philanthropy and tours, sharing the history of property with future generations.

Lights, Camera, Action!

The film industry began taking notice of the Wilmington area in 1982. Dine De Laurentis and Frank Capra Jr. discovered a photo of Orton House in an old magazine and traveled to the area to scout a location for shooting the movie "Firestarter." After becoming enamored with the Cape Fear Coast, De Laurentis built DEG studios in the city of Wilmington. In 1999, the studio named changed to EUE/Screen Gem Studios, opening the door for an increased number of movie and television shows to utilize the Cape Fear Coast as a filming location. Movies filmed on the grounds of Orton Plantation include Date with an Angel, Raw Deal, Crimes of the Heart, The Road to Wellville, Tune in Tomorrow, When We Were Colored, The Grave, Lolita, Shadrack, Traveler, I know what You Did Last Summer, Morgan's Ferry, Black Knight, Bruno, The Dangerous Lives of Alter Boys, Stateside, A Walk to Remember, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Idlewild, The List, Strike the Tent, The Water is Wide, Hound Dog, Bolden and 26 television series scenes.