Sights and scenes: Downtown Wilmington, NC
Named for Spencer Compton, First Earl of Wilmington, Wilmington is the largest city in North Carolina that is located within the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. Incorporated on February 20, 1739, Wilmington grew to become an important port that played a critical role in the years leading up to the American Revolution.
The Carolina Apartments at Market Street and S 5th Avenue.
Following the Civil War, Wilmington became prosperous as a majority-Black and racially integrated city. However, in 1898, white supremacist successfully overthrew the city’s government. This event, the Wilmington Insurrection of 1898, is also known as the Wilmington Race Riot. Following the insurrection, Charlotte surpassed Wilmington as the largest city in North Carolina.
Situated along the Cape Fear River, the core of the city was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Expanded in 2003, the Wilmington Historic District encompasses 875 contributing buildings, 38 contributing sites, and 3 contributing structures.
Following the opening of the final extension of Interstate 40 in 1990, Wilmington has become a rapidly growing city. Today, Wilmington is home to nearly 120,000 residents and in recent years, its 1.75-mile downtown riverfront has been ranked as the “Best American Riverfront” by readers of USA Today. Here is a virtual look at a historic, pedestrian friendly coastal port city that offers a change of place from Charleston, Savannah and Jacksonville.
Market Street is Business U.S. 17 through Downtown Wilmington.
The St. James Episcopal Church, at the intersection of Market Street and S 3rd Street, was built in 1839.
The 100 block of Market Street.
Market Street
The intersection of Water and Market Streets.
The Water Street Center is an eight-story mixed use building at N Water and Chestnut Streets.
The Overlook at River Place Apartments.
Looking north on N Front Street from Chestnut Street.
Bijou Park is the site of the former Bijou Theatre at 209 N Front Street.
The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College is located at 703 N 3rd Street.
The 1898 Memorial Park highlights the history of the Insurrection of Wilmington race massacre of 1898.
Edward Teach Brewing and the Brooklyn Arts Center at N 4th Street and Campbell Street.
The New Hanover County Courthouse was erected in 1892.
The Wilmington City Hall at 102 N 3rd Street. Known as Thalian Hall, the building was completed in 1858.
The Cape Fear Hotel Apartments at the intersection of Chestnut and N 2nd Streets.
Looking south on N Front Street.
Looking south on N Front Street.
Looking towards Dock Street on S Front Street.
The intersection of S Front Street and Nun Street.