Holly Ridge, NC

Holly Ridge is a predominantly residential town that is centrally located midway between Jacksonville and Wilmington, North Carolina on US Highway 17. It has one stoplight at the intersection of Hwy 17 and 50, which leads to Surf City on Topsail Island. Beach access is a little over five miles away.

In the 1940’s, Holly Ridge was the location for the military’s Camp Davis and, at one time the sleepy little town went from 28 resident to a boomtown of 110,000. Today, a little over 800 residents inhabit it but much more is coming! With several subdivisions started or in the works, Holly Ridge will be "sleepy" no more.

In it’s day, Camp Davis housed several military units including artillery anti-aircraft regiments which brought thousands of recruits to basic training and weapons school. The first Barrage Balloon Training Center was erected at the camp. It was comprised of three elements, anti-aircraft, seacoast defense and barrage balloon, all under one command. One year later, it was moved to another location. Each time a new division came in, it was soon relocated to another area.

During Operation Bumble Bee, which was a Navy-based program for secret guided missile testing, the area again was very active, although on somewhat of a smaller scale. After the operation was deemed a success, the Navy closed down the program in the Topsail area, only to revive it in places like Inyokem, White Sands and Cape Canaveral.

The leased land they controlled was given back to the original landowners and Camp Davis went dormant. You can find more information about this era at the Missiles and More Museum. Their website is www.topsailmissilesmuseum.org. 

The mayor and councilmen, many of whom wear other hats, govern Holly Ridge. The Town Hall is located at 212 Dyson Street and the Post Office is right along Highway 17 with the entrance near the Fire Department. There is also a medical facility nearby.

The Annual Holly Festival is held in Holly Ridge and each year, it consists of a parade, rides for the kids, delicious southern-type food, vendors and craftsmen and great entertainment for everyone.

The town is rapidly changing. Many new residents are coming to Holly Ridge and major commercial development has started just a few miles away. This town has a lot to offer, especially with easy access to both major cities to the north and south.