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The Kindred Spirit Mailbox on Bird Island
For decades, thousands of visitors have made the pilgrimage to the Kindred Spirit mailbox on uninhabited Bird Island.
All kinds of people, young and old, joyous and in pain have written down their innermost thoughts and feelings in the mailbox’s journals.
It is estimated that over 100,000 people may have visited the Kindred Spirit over the years, which is amazing considering it’s location on the undeveloped, quiet beach of Bird Island but it still surprises Sunset Beach native Frank Nesmith.
Mr. Nesmith has tended the mailbox since its beginning, some 34 years ago. It was an old flame who had the idea for The Kindred Spirit mailbox in the first place.
“I’m sure it was her idea,” says Nesmith, referring to a woman named Claudia who he briefly dated in the late 1970s. “You know, when you go with a girl, you want to do what they want you to do because you might want to get a kiss.”
It’s a bit of a hike from Sunset Beach over to the mailbox on Bird Island, but it is worth the effort if you’re the kind of person who appreciates this sort of thing.
Just keep walking until you see an opening in the sand dunes in the distance. You’ll see a jetty in the distance.
Next to an old weathered bench is the Kindred Spirit community mailbox. Inside you’ll find several journals, some pens and the hopes and dreams and grief and pain of the people who have left their innermost thoughts on the pages within.
“The fact that they do write in there, it’s something within them that makes them do it,” Nesmith says.
Jacqueline DeGroot, a local romance author, will confirm that the mailbox was Claudia’s idea. She and Claudia exchanged emails on a regular basis until Claudia’s death in 2013.
“She had this mirage in her head for many years of a mailbox in the sand, and she never knew why” DeGroot has said. “Over the years, it would just pop into her head. When she came to Sunset Beach, it all started to make more sense.”
Claudia’s first attempt was to put the mailbox on a small bit of sand in nearby Tubbs Inlet in between Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. But over time the changing tides washed the little island away so she moved the mailbox to Bird Island in 1983.
It started to attract lots of visitors to the new location.
Back then there was still an inlet between Bird Island and Sunset Beach and visitors had to swim across the rapidly moving waters or wait until the tide receded in order to walk across. It was difficult going, however, they still came.
While Claudia was still alive she kept her identity as the Kindred Spirit’s creator a secret, even to DeGroot. In one email, she wrote, “The Kindred Spirit is a way of being — not a person,” and she signed it, “Your Friend, K.S.”
A large part of the mailbox’s allure is that the folks who write in its journals are able to be as anonymous as they wish to be.
The remote, pristine location on an uninhabited island with the sea air and sounds of seabirds and the gentle surf lends itself to people’s baring of their innermost soulful thoughts.
Anyone who feels drawn to the islands of North Carolina should put a trip to the Kindred Spirit Mailbox high on their “Bucket List”!
The best way to get to Bird Island is to start at the Public Beach Access located at West 40th Street on Sunset Beach NC. Take the access to the beach, and head Southwest (away from the pier). You can either walk or ride a bike, it is about 1.5 miles from the 40th Street access to The Kindred Spirit Mailbox.
The Mailbox is a little hidden but it’s visible from the beach. If you reach the jetty you’ve gone a little too far.
YouTube Video Credit: Matt Crouch
Til next time, stay sassy!
This article was reprinted with written permission by Island Life NC — Coastal NC Lifestyle Magazine. If you’re considering vacationing on any of the North Carolina beaches, their site is amazing and subscriptions are free, so make sure to check them out! Also, the video is by Matt Crouch and you can find him on YouTube by clicking the link under the video in the post. Much gratitude to Island Life NC for allowing Truly Madly Sassy to reprint such an endearing story as well as granting the permission to use the photo. And last but not least, many thanks to Matt Crouch for permitting us to use his video!
I am a Sunset Beach native and this place has special meaning to my family. It has helped my family through many hard times and an inspiration for those of us with salt water in our souls. In fact, my sister who traded in her flip-flops for snow boots, in the name of love, will be returning to the island this month to renew her vows and bring the story full circle.
Thank you for taking the time to write about our local secret. I would like to note for any new visitors please do not attempt to swim to this island!!!!! This is a dangerous area with extremely strong rip currents! Many have drowned overestimating their abilities and underestimating nature’s strength. PLEASE DO NOT PUT OUR LOCAL VOLUNTEER RESCUE SQUAD AT RISK WITH THIS MINDSET! You can also reach Bird island by boat, which has also become a popular party spot amongst boaters. Also, remember you are a guest in our home, please treat it with RESPECT!!!!!! NOT ALL LOCALS ARE FOND OF TOURISTS DUE TO THE INCREASING LACK OF RESPECT WE HAVE SEEN. DO YOU WANT US COMING TO YOUR HOME TRASHING IT? THERE IS NEVER A SITUATION IN LIFE WHERE THE GOLDEN RULE DOESN’T APPLY! THANKS, AND GREAT JOB!
Hi Angela! I am an Oak Island/Southport resident, but I used to be a tourist here and when I was, I didn’t understand the reasons that locals didn’t like tourists. When I became a local, I clearly understood. I can’t tell you how many holes I’ve filled in at the beach nor how much trash I’ve picked up that was left. Tourists do, however, bring in a lot of revenue so that my friends who are local business owners can make it through the off-season. When I was a tourist, I didn’t understand why big holes dug in the sand were an issue, but after becoming a resident, I’ve been educated so much about sea turtles and ocean life.
You also make a good point about the rip current situation that all the beaches here are experiencing. We’ve had several drownings this summer and it’s usually been the people who have gone out to rescue someone that have lost their lives. The ocean — it has no mercy. And it’s very, very sad.
Thank you so much for the comments and also, for the insight. It’s on my bucket list to visit the mailbox, but I promise you, I won’t be swimming 🙂
Sounds like a great place to visit! What a great story!
It’s on my summer bucket list, Leah! I’ll let you know how it goes! 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Love this!! What a great idea and a great view to write some thoughts and just leave them there. So therapeutic. Thanks for sharing!
It’s the perfect combination of therapy, right?! Thanks so much for your comment, Jay.
What a cool story! I would love to visit the kindred spirit mailbox someday!
Me too, Tiffany! It’s on my summer bucket list 🙂 Thanks for commenting on Truly Madly Sassy.
This is such a sweet custom!
It really is! It’s on my summer bucket list! Thanks for your comment.
This is such a sweet story. I love how he knows men gotta do what women want if they are wanting that kiss!! haha So cute! Thanks for sharing.
Kendra B
http://www.helga-marie.com
I thought that was super cute myself, Kendra! And to think it still holds true today! Ha! Thanks so much for your comment!
Oh my gosh, I love this!!! I can only imagine all of the stories and deep thoughts in those journals. How amazing!
I would love to go! It’s not far from me. Maybe an hour and a half. Wish you could come visit and go too!