History
     Before the American Revolution, early settler seeking land near Lockwood's Folly River applied for patents and received warrants for surveys of selected tracts.  In 1756, Benjamin Holden, bought four mainland tracts which included all land between his plantation and the ocean.  At that time the island extended from Lockwood's Folly Inlet west six miles to Bacon Inlet.  Primary use of the land was for fishing and cattle grazing.
     Descendants of the family started a commercial fishery on the island and in 1924 surveyed a section, which was called Holden Beach Resort, the plat of which represented the first subdivision of beach property in Brunswick County (NC).  In 1925 the first bridge was built; it was subsequently destroyed by the Inland Waterway construction.  In 1934 began operation when development first started near the ferry location at the eastern part of the island.