Monkey Junction, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monkey Junction, North Carolina
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Northerly view of Monkey Junction in September 2021, taken from the junction's southeast corner
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | New Hanover |
| Time zone | Eastern |
Monkey Junction is a busy area in New Hanover County, North Carolina, near the city of Wilmington, North Carolina. It's called an unincorporated community, which means it's a place where people live and work, but it's not officially part of a city or town. This area is located where College Road (NC 132) and Carolina Beach Road (US 421) meet. Over the years, Monkey Junction has grown a lot, with many new shops, restaurants, and homes.
In 2008, the city of Wilmington tried to make Monkey Junction part of its city limits. This process is called annexation. However, in 2012, the state government of North Carolina decided that Monkey Junction would remain an unincorporated area.
The Story Behind the Name: Monkey Junction
The name "Monkey Junction" has a fun and interesting history that goes back almost 70 years! It all started because of a special gas station that was located at the main intersection from the late 1930s to the mid-1970s.
The Gas Station with Live Monkeys
The gas station was owned by a couple named Dina and Jack Spindle. To attract customers, they had a unique idea: they kept live monkeys at their station! A bus that traveled to and from Carolina Beach, North Carolina would often pass by. The bus driver would stop near the station and announce, "Monkey Junction!" This made the name famous among locals.
Local Names for the Area
Even today, if someone calls the area "Myrtle Grove Junction," you can often tell they are not from around there. "Myrtle Grove" is the name of a nearby neighborhood that appears on maps. But for people who live in the area, it's always been, and still is, "Monkey Junction."
