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    Wilmington, North Carolina
    Wilmington, North Carolina
    Wilmington, North Carolina
    Ebook202 pages56 minutes

    Wilmington, North Carolina

    By Ann Hewlett Hutteman

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    About this ebook

    A city of rare beauty and fascinating history, Wilmington attracts armies of tourists and visitors year-round eager to view its picturesque waterfront, to learn of the old port city s remarkable heritage and traditions, and to enjoy its grand beaches and landscapes. This visual history explores the city s and the vicinity s unique story from the late 1890s to the 1960s through the medium of postcards, a popular way of documenting a town s famous buildings, dwellings, personalities, and scenery.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateNov 8, 2000
    ISBN9781439627730
    Wilmington, North Carolina

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    Reviews for Wilmington, North Carolina

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    • 4/5
      Enjoyed the old postcard photographs of Wilmington and environs. They made me want to visit again, it's been a few years. It seems that a lot of old buildings were destroyed by either fire or Hurricane Hazel.

    Book preview

    Wilmington, North Carolina - Ann Hewlett Hutteman

    possible.

    INTRODUCTION

    Postcards were first introduced in Europe in the late 1860s, but they did not have pictures or illustrations until the 1890s. They were unknown in the United States until after the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. On December 24, 1901, the use of the words post card was granted by the U.S. government to private printers. The penny postcard quickly became one of the most popular and inexpensive means of communication, especially since telephones were not widespread.

    The addition of pictures or illustrations greatly enhanced the aesthetics and interest of the postcards. Most people had little experience with cameras, except to have their portraits taken in a studio every few years. Therefore, the photograph of a scene that could be sent through the mail was thought to be remarkable, exotic, and exciting. Between 1907 and 1914, the majority of the picture cards were printed in Germany, which specialized in converting photographs sent from our country into high-quality postcards. There are several in this book that were printed in Germany. The outbreak of World War I stopped trade with Germany, after which postcard production began in earnest in the United States, although at first, the quality was inferior.

    Writing was not permitted on the address side; therefore, it is understandable that on some of the early postcards sentences were written on the picture side. On March 1, 1907, the U.S. Post Office approved the divided back postcard, which allowed room for a message on the left side and the address on the right. The messages make interesting reading and give a small glimpse into life in the early twentieth century.

    About 1930, linen postcards made their debut. They were printed on paper that had a high rag content, with a rough finish. The most modern postcards are known as chromes. These cards are usually color photographs of high quality and date from the 1940s.

    It quickly became apparent to towns and cities all over the nation that postcards were a way to publicize their areas. Local leaders had thousands printed in the hopes of putting the very best possible face on their communities. In some cases, photographs were altered by coloring or cropping the picture for a more attractive scene. Later, individual businesses used the medium to advertise their services. They were particularly useful in the tourist industry.

    Collecting postcards became as popular as sending them. They were pasted into albums or books or kept in trunks or shoe boxes for safekeeping. Thankfully, several of these early local collectors have donated their treasures to the New Hanover County Public Library. There is even a word for the serious postcard collector—a deltiologist.

    The most difficult task of writing this book was deciding which postcards to include from over 500 in the library’s collection. Care was taken to choose a variety that shows how Wilmington and its vicinity evolved from the turn of the last century until the 1960s. Wilmington was North Carolina’s largest city from the mid-1800s until about 1910, and there are many postcards that illustrate the importance of the port. The greatest number are of the downtown business district, demonstrating how that area has changed over the years. Our churches, schools, and hospitals are represented. Of course, the beaches are a mecca for tourists, and hopefully, the postcards selected will bring back pleasant memories of summers spent by the sea. Our neighbors, Burgaw and Southport have a close river and railroad connection to Wilmington and these two small towns have been included.

    Many of the buildings and landmarks depicted in this book have been victims of the wrecking ball. In that sense, the postcards provide a historical and pictorial record of structures that once contributed to the architectural character of the area. By limiting this book to only postcards, some aspects of our city are not covered, simply because there were no postcards available.

    The bold type in the beginning of each entry indicates the title and date the postcard was published. All of the postcards came from the library’s collection unless otherwise noted.

    It is hoped that the reader will enjoy exploring the rich and diverse history of Wilmington and its neighbors through the medium of postcards.

    GREETINGS FROM WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, C. 1940S. One of the most popular postcard designs was and still is the Greetings from . . . genre. Greenfield Lake and the business district in the 100 block of North Front Street are highlighted in this montage.

    One

    WATERFRONT

    The Native Americans called the river Sapona, which begins by the joining of the Haw and Deep Rivers in Chatham County, North Carolina. It flows southeasterly toward the Atlantic Ocean and the cape, which would eventually give the river its permanent name. Variously called the River Jordan by the Spanish, and the Charles and Clarendon by the English, the name, Cape Fear, is entirely appropriate. At the mouth of the river, the treacherous Frying Pan Shoals jut out 28 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. These dangerous underwater sandbars have caused numerous shipwrecks, which made sailors fear the entrance to the river; hence, the Cape of Fear.

    Wilmington was founded 1739–1740 at the junction of the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear Rivers. First called New Carthage, the town was the second permanent settlement on the river after Brunswick Town. For a time, it was known as New Liverpool, then New Town or Newton before being named for Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington, a patron of Royal Governor Gabriel Johnston (1698–1752). The site of the town is approximately 30 miles from the mouth of the river.

    The port and the industrial area that developed along the waterfront had enormous economic importance. Foreign and domestic ships came into port and made Wilmington a cosmopolitan center.

    WILMINGTON HARBOR, C. 1910. This view is of the Wilmington harbor, between Market and Princess Streets. At center, the two-story Greek Revival–style building facing the river is the United States Customs House, designed by John Norris and built in 1840. At left, the U.S. revenue cutter Seminole is docked at the government wharf. The other large vessel is the steamer Wilmington, moored at her dock at the foot of Market Street.

    THE U.S. REVENUE CUTTER SEMINOLE, C. 1915. The U.S. Revenue Service was founded in 1790 by Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, to collect import tariffs. One of the first ten authorized ships was assigned to North Carolina. The Seminole was one of a number of cutters that have called the port of Wilmington home.

    FERRY CROSSING CAPE FEAR RIVER, C. 1906. From colonial

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