'Figure' it out: Why some call this wealthy New Hanover island the 'Hamptons of the South'

How did this private and affluent area between Wilmington's mainland and Wrightsville Beach become Figure Eight Island?

Bruce and Dan Cameron along with their cousin, Raeford Trask, and investor Richard Wetherill, formed the Island Development Company to develop real estate on the island. Because of crooked paths in the marsh, the island was named Figure Eight.

The island wasn't always an exclusive private island. It was originally part of a tract of land that was known as the Province of North Carolina in 1762. In 1775, the barrier island became recognized as “The Banks” and was owned by James Moore, then the governor.

John Edwards, the former U.S. senator and presidential candidate (2004 and 2008), owned a resort house at Figure Eight Island and former Vice President Al Gore (1993-2001) rented property there. In the summer of 2012, Robert Downey Jr. rented a home on Figure Eight Island while filming "Iron Man 3."

In Nola Nadeau's book "Figure Eight Revisited," some stars that have rented houses or visited the island include George C. Scott, Sissy Spacek, Robert Wagner, Debra Winger, Nick Nolte, Kim Basinger, Nicole Kidman and Barbra Streisand.

According to Nadeau's book, Andy Griffith had a house on Backfin Point and Alan Alda lived at 244 Beach Road north while filming "Besty's Wedding." Bob Timberlake, artist and entrepreneur, had a summer home on the island.

Properties on Figure Eight Island were often in-demand for rent by television and movies productions. "Dawson's Creek" and "Sleeping with the Enemy" starring Julia Roberts were used.

The island is a popular vacation destination for wealthy North Carolinians, celebrities, and politicians that according to Wikipedia it's often referred to as "The Hamptons of the South."

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Behind the name of Figure Eight Island outside of Wilmington, NC