Orton Plantation to be restored to historic look
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Orton Plantation in Brunswick County is coming full circle. The old rice plantation's owner is restoring the plantation to look like it did 300 years ago.
North Carolina's Coastal Land Trust says the plantation's newest owner, Louis Bacon, shows he has the best intentions with the property. Bacon is a descendent of the original owner, Roger Moore.
Permits submitted to the US Army Corps of Engineers show owners are working to repair water structures to bring back the plantation's historic rice fields.
"That rice history is very important in this area for the Goola Geechee culture," explained George Edwards with the Wilmington Historic Foundation. "They brought with time wonderful cultural and folk traditions as well as the culture of rice growing."
In addition to preserving the culture, the project could help the ecosystem, by bringing back some of the longleaf pine plantation.
Edwards said it's going to be a great habitat for wildlife like quail, but he would like to see it hosting people too.
"We would to see him ultimately reopen, on maybe a limited basis certainly but on some basis, to the public," said Edwards.
A spokesperson for the plantation said Bacon does intend to share the plantation with the public. The project is anticipated to wrap up by 2014.
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