The first fishing pier on Topsail Island was Surf City Fishing Pier - as far as I can determine, Barnacle Bill's was the second - it came about in either '56 or '57 -  It was owned by a group of investors, but Lewis Williamson ran the pier for several years. The place offered all kinds of things for everyone to do - fishing, games, food, beach access - every summer there was a lifeguard on duty at the pier. It was definitely the place for families to go,

 This picture was taken during the early 1960s  - during fishing season the pier was always packed.