Old Brunswick County Jail Museum

Take a trip back in time without ever leaving the heart of Southport for a fascinating and educational visit to the stoic Old Brunswick County Jail Museum. Found within a multi-story brick building on the corner of Nash and Rhett Streets, this iconic downtown site is a unique little treasure where patrons can explore a unique component of the Cape Fear’s fascinating local history.

The Old Brunswick County Jail Museum was originally built in 1904 and served as the town and county’s primary jail for more than 70 years. Reopened in 2004 as a local museum, today tour-goers who visit can explore the sparse but interesting interior which features two detainee cells, as well as accommodations for the town jailer and his family. The site was used for a number of scenes for the 1986 movie "Crimes of the Heart," (and this more recent legacy is chronicled as well), and patrons can enjoy a full tour lead by docents on all the unique stories and touches that this local institution has to offer. Though a relatively new landmark in centuries-old Southport, the Old Brunswick County Jail Museum is nevertheless a favorite historic site for new and frequent Southport explorers alike.