Bald Head Island, as we know it today, wasn't officially recognized by this name until the late 20th century. Prior to that, it was commonly referred to as "Bald Head," but its official name was Smith Island, a designation that dates back to 1713. The history of the island's name is intertwined with the figure of Thomas Smith II, a prominent landowner and figure in early South Carolina history.
 

The First Known Name: Cape Island
Before it became known as Smith Island, the first recorded name for the island was Cape Island. This name was likely associated with the geography of the area, as it is located at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, forming a natural "cape" for ships navigating the river. The island’s name was Cape Island for an indeterminate period, but it would eventually change in 1713.
 

The Grant to Thomas Smith II
On May 18, 1713, the island was granted to Thomas Smith II, who was a prominent South Carolinian figure. Smith was a wealthy landowner, merchant, and political leader in colonial South Carolina, holding the title of Landgrave, or governor, a rank that was highly influential in the colony. Smith’s acquisition of the island was partly motivated by economic reasons. At the time, South Carolina imposed taxes on trade with Native Americans within the colony's borders, but if trade occurred outside those boundaries—on land like Bald Head Island—he could avoid these taxes. The murky and undefined border between North and South Carolina at the time made this a possible and practical loophole.
 

Smith’s decision to acquire the island helped him evade trade-related taxes and expand his wealth, despite the ambiguous borders between the Carolinas. It’s important to note that the boundary between North and South Carolina wasn’t officially defined until 1735, when British authorities established a clear border, solidifying the island’s place in South Carolina until that point.
 

The Smith Family Ownership
Smith's acquisition of the island marked the beginning of its association with the Smith family. Thomas Smith II held the island until his death in the early 18th century. After Smith’s passing, the island passed to his heir, Benjamin Smith, who continued ownership into the 19th century. However, Benjamin Smith faced significant financial troubles, leading to unpaid debts that ultimately resulted in the foreclosure of the property in the 1820s. This marked the end of the Smith family’s ownership of the island.
Despite the Smith family losing ownership of the island, the name Smith Island remained in use. The name stuck for generations, and even though the island was no longer part of the Smith estate, it continued to be known by that name.
 

The Legacy of Smith
The name “Smith” not only influenced the naming of the island but also extended to the nearby town of Smithville (now known as Southport). Smithville, originally named in honor of Thomas Smith II, was the precursor to what is now Southport. In the 1880s, the town was renamed Southport, as the community leaders hoped it would grow to become a major port. Despite the name change, Smithville Township still exists today, preserving the legacy of the Smith family.
 

The early history of Smith Island (Bald Head Island) is rooted in both geography and economics, with Thomas Smith II's desire to avoid taxes driving his acquisition of the land in 1713. The island’s connection to Smith persisted long after the family lost ownership, as the name stuck and extended to the nearby town of Smithville. Today, while Bald Head Island is the official name, the echoes of its early history as Smith Island can still be seen in the region’s place names and historical legacy.