Original 1945 Cottage on 20 Very Private Acres.

My grandfather was a man for adventure. In the summer of 1946, having bought a remote property on Oak Island accessible only by ferry, then by Jeep, he loaded up a crew from his rug mill in Troy and built a cabin on the highest dune for hundreds of miles.

At the close of World War II, America was excited by the promise of development; today we seek visitors who will appreciate the originality that this property represents. Above the house the lookout tower retains a remarkable 360 degree view of ocean and river, original live oaks, distant lights, blinking water towers and fireworks — from Bald Head Island to the South Carolina border. The house overlooks more than a quarter-mile of undeveloped, south-facing beachfront with nearly half a mile behind of undisturbed, original maritime forest, with new stairs down the hill to access our dock on Davis Creek. The intracoastal waterway beckons beyond..

The cottage remains as it was, four bedrooms and three baths. Knotty pine walls and oak floors glow with 70 years of patina. A screened front porch runs the full width of the house. Tall windows open in every room, one with a big sink installed to wash a new baby, my mother, Blanche. The kitchen and back porch were renovated in 2005, with heat and air-conditioning installed throughout the house.

Folly Hills is a singular experience for up to 10 people. If you’re looking for dry-walled bedrooms, wall-to-wall carpeting and marble bathrooms, this is not your house. If you want to open the windows and let the warm ocean breeze blow through, enjoy sunset cocktails on the lookout tower, go crabbing from the dock behind the house, stroll down your private access to a huge expanse of white sand beach, details of 75 years of history, the world’s most wonderful outdoor shower — this is an enchanting experience of original North Carolina beach like you’ll find nowhere else.