Near Southport, North Carolina
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Orton Plantation, situated on the Cape Fear River was built c. 1725, and was the home of Roger
Moore, who along with his family and friends founded the town of Brunswick. The original
home was one and a half stories and constructed of brick. In 1840 Dr. Frederick Jones Hill, a later owner, added a second story and four fluted Doric columns. Through several ownerships, Orton Plantation became a leading rice plantation known for the superiority of its grain. | |
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In 1865, following the fall of Confederate Fort Fisher, Orton was occupied by Union forces who
used it as a hospital, sparing it from the fate suffered by many fine homes in the South.
Col. Kenneth McKenzie Murchison CSA purchased Orton in 1884, restored it and used it as his winter home. Col. Murchison was the great-grandfather of the present owners. He died in 1904 leaving Orton to his daughter Luola, & son-in-law James Sprunt LLD. |
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The Sprunts added wings
to the house making it a near-perfect example of Southern ante-bellum architecture. In 1910
they began the development of a modest flower garden and in 1915 built Luola's Chapel for
family services. In the beginning the garden consisted of imported camellias, azaleas, banana shrubs and other ornamentals and bulbs popular at that time. They also planted avenues of live oak trees and constructed terraces which overlooked the old ricefields and river. |
| In the mid-1930's their son and his wife, James and Annie Sprunt with the aid of Robert Swann Sturtevant MLA from Groton Mass. began enlarging the gardens to their present size of about 20 acres. The various gardens - some formal - some natural - took advantage of the impressive oaks & other native trees, constructed lawns, water scenes and walkways. Following this extensive enlargement the gardens were opened to public visitation, the admision charge helping to offset the cost of maintenance. |
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| Although much effort is made to create a colorful display of flowers, to most the real beauty of Orton is in the impressive trees, the facade of Orton House, the many garden features and the view overlooking the old ricefields and the Cape Fear River. Bird watchers visiting Orton are often surprised to add a "new" species to their record. Orton continues to be the scene for many motion pictures, both for feature films and for television. |
| Orton House is the private home of the owners and is not open but may be viewed from the garden paths. | |
photos courtesy of Wayne Hanson
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