HWY 211 , Bladenboro, NC 28320(Bladen County)

Welcome to Camp Island. Nearly 500 acres (most being high ground) Camp Island is home to ducks, deer, fish, turkey and even quail have been sighted. After passing through the brick columned gate, the entrance carries you through a pine forest, over a steel bridge, and onto the island where you are greeted by the pavilion and a bulkhead for tying off boats. Camp Island is full of trails/roads, shooting lanes, and miles of river frontage! Prior to the end of the Civil War, this same high ground served as an encampment for runaway slaves, Union prisoners, and the Lumbee Indians that were laborers for projects such as Fort Fisher in New Hanover County. Records indicate that in 1865 there was a deadly skirmish on this very island between those encamped and the neighboring landowners. Today, the property serves as the ultimate turn-key outdoor hunting and fishing property already outfitted with shooting lanes, good roads, deer stands, and duck blinds. Call Cailein for your private showing! A brief history of Camp Island: Camp Island was part of the Butters Lumber Company and lay at the confluence of Jackson Swamp and Big Swamp. One of the earliest mentions of the Island was during the Revolutionary War. A group of Loyalists who had conducted a raid into SC were encamped there and attacked by a group of 90 Patriots under Col. Senf of the Camden Regiment SC Militia. The result was a Patriot victory resulting in 2 Loyalists killed, several wounded, and some captured. Those not captured dispersed into the swamp on Nov. 3, 1780. In the 1850's the Island was used by escaped slaves where they had a village, grew crops, and kept stolen livestock. In 1856 the neighboring farmers decided to recover their stolen livestock and were greeted by the occupants who had acquired weapons. The farmer was killed and others were wounded. The farmer's family wrote the Governor asking for help. Then-Governor Thomas Bragg issued a proclamation Nuisance Requiring Correction. On Jan. 26 1858 a group from Robeson County led by Alfred and Simon Allen attacked the Camp Island group and defeated them. A number were killed, some were captured and some escaped into the swamp. In 1864 the Confederate Home Guard executed Allen and William Lowery for stealing livestock and harboring fugitives. Henry Berry Lowery escaped arrest and began the era of The Swamp Outlaws. Camp Island was used by the Lowery Gang along with other hideouts. In 1864 a train transporting Union prisoners stopped for water East of Whiteville and 4 prisoners escaped into the swamp and made it to Camp Island and joined the Lowery Gang. The gang continuously attacked the Confederate Home Guard. Owen Wright was the leader of these men and wrote a journal about their time with the Swamp Outlaws. These men eventually joined General Sherman. Lowery continued to use the swamp occasionally until 1868 when he vanished. In the 1890's Butters Lumber Company obtained the land and the rest is history.