For history, an island and more, take a 'Loop' around this Wilmington community

How did this coastal community in the southeastern part of New Hanover County get its name?

The community of Masonboro, according to the Masonboro Historical Institute , is wrapped between the arms of two creeks: Hewlett’s Creek on the north and Purviance (or Whiskey) Creek on the south.

The community is named after the first settlers along the "Sound" front, a group of Masons who held their lodge meetings on the upper floor of a house known as the old Lewey house. With Masonboro Loop Road a main thoroughfare, it's also referred to as the Masonboro Sound area.

Nearby Masonboro Island, undeveloped and only accessible by boat, is a popular spot for July 4th festivities.

The area was fully annexed into the city of Wilmington in 2000.

Masonboro Baptist Church, now located at 1501 Beasley Road, was founded in 1856, six to eight years after people in the community began gathering for services in the home of a neighbor, John Hewlett.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: For history, an island and more, take a 'Loop' around this Wilmington community