2007 Most Threatened Historic Places List HISTORIC WILMINGTON FOUNDATION 1. Southeastern North Carolina Fishing Piers Location: Southeastern North Carolina Coast Increased operating costs, soaring property values, and extensive hurricane damage have diminished the number of public fishing piers on North Carolina s coast to barely 20. By providing the public with amenities and offering traditional family entertainment, fishing piers generate business for coastal communities. As piers are replaced by upscale homes and condos, public coastal access is decreased. Built in 1923, the oldest continually operated pier in North Carolina is located in Kure Beach. 2. Seabreeze Location: Carolina Beach, NC This African American beach resort was developed just north of Carolina Beach in the early 1920 s. Construction boomed, and by the early 1940 s, the area boasted piers and boardwalks, three hotels, dozens of small beach cottages and a beach pavilion. Several restaurants competed for diners with their renowned clam fritters. Thousands visited the resort on holidays, and some of Wilmington s African American entrepreneurs constructed beach homes in the area. Along with several major storms, the tide of integration and economic development eroded interest in the resort community. By the 1970 s Seabreeze was a shadow of its former self, and today only a handful of structures survive. The nomination recognizes the social and cultural significance of this early 20 th century African American resort.
3. Wrightsville Beach Pre-1950 Cottages and the Glenn Hotel Location: Wrightsville Beach, NC By the beginning of the 20 th Century, Wrightsville Beach was a popular destination along the North Carolina coast. Tourists flocked to its hotels, cottages and other scenic structures, of which only a few buildings remain. A smattering of cottages built before 1950 offer a last glimpse of the historic beginnings of this popular resort. The last remaining old-style coastal hotel, The Glenn, was a notable landmark during the era of the Lumina Pavilion. Due to increased land values and the economic and developmental pressures facing Wrightsville Beach, many historic cottages as well as The Glenn -- may eventually be razed to create a more densely packed urban environment. 4. Brunswick County, North Carolina Location: The entire County of Brunswick, NC Brunswick County remains one of only five counties in North Carolina yet to be surveyed for historical sites. Through survey reports, files, and maps, Brunswick County could evaluate properties for their local significance, for local designation, and for consideration for the National Register of Historic Places. Currently there are only ten National Register listings in Brunswick County, including Bald Head Lighthouse, Orton Plantation and the Southport Historic District. While the County has taken some steps toward historic resource recognition and documentation, a comprehensive survey is needed. Due to rapidly increasing development, there is a substantial need to document and record historic places before they are lost forever.
5. Rosenwald Schools Location: Pender County, NC In the early 1900 s, little emphasis was placed upon educating African American communities. In an attempt to rectify this situation, Julius Rosenwald, a Chicago philanthropist with a Sears and Roebuck fortune, paid for the establishment of more than 5,300 schools for black children. The buildings were usually one, two, and three room schoolhouses built in 15 states of the south and southwest United States. More Rosenwald Schools were built in North Carolina than in any other state. During integration in the 1960 s, Rosenwald Schools were often neglected, and today this chapter of African American history is in danger of disappearing. These schools are threatened by neglect, deterioration, and pressure from development. 6. Pre-1930 Vernacular Houses Location: Wilmington, NC In the decades between the Civil War and the Great Depression, cottages, bungalows, and shotgun houses were built throughout the city to house working people. Unfortunately, many of these structures are being lost to neglect, development pressure and deferred maintenance. The availability of workforce housing remains vitally important to the city s economic viability. Rehabilitating housing stock can be an attractive and cost-effective alternative to building new affordable housing. Not only do these homes provide housing, but they also add character and charm to local neighborhoods.
7. 5 th Avenue Baptist Church Location: 817 North 5 th Avenue, Wilmington, NC This nineteenth century church building contributes to the special quality of North Fifth Avenue in Wilmington. Unfortunately, the cost of maintaining this historic structure has become burdensome to the small congregation that owns it. Unless another option can be found, the church may lose the structure and erect a modern building. Threatened by deterioration and neglect. 8. Brick Walls, Ballast Walls & Stone Walls around Wilmington Location: Primarily downtown areas of Wilmington, NC Throughout downtown Wilmington we see the interesting retaining walls built with brick and the ballast stones from shipping vessels of another era. Today these structural and architectural elements of our historic landscape are often neglected, damaged or removed for new construction or simply paved over and forgotten. These countless architectural jewels decorate and enrich our environment.
9. Family/Rural/Private Cemeteries Location: Tri-Counties (Pender, Brunswick, New Hanover) As writer Ruth Little suggests, an old grave yard or cemetery is an invaluable source of insight and information about the families, traditions, and culture surrounding that community. Slowly, time is erasing these memorials. These historic sites are threatened by neglect, vandalism, and development. As just one example, the Lillington Cemetery in rural Pender County is the burial site for the local Revolutionary War hero, John Lillington. However, the walls and markers of this cemetery are deteriorating and crumbling due to lack of attention and exposure to the elements.
2007 Historic Places Watch List 1. Seagate Neighborhood Location: Wilmington, NC. Although local oral history describes Seagate as a fishing village, Seagate s history has been greatly influenced by the transportation industry and growing interest in local beaches. The area first gained popularity when the street railway company maintained a station in the Seagate community. Over the past few years, the Seagate community has seen an increase in requests for rezoning to higher residential densities. The Greenville Avenue/Seagate community is a neighborhood in transition, and residents are exploring options with the City to protect the area and to allow for appropriate new development. 2. Sts. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church Location: St. Helena, NC, Pender County. The Church is unique with its gold dome, reflective of Moscow s churches, and its adherence to the Orthodox Russian theology. Previously nominated for the 2006 Watch List, the membership and financial resources continue to shrink. Members are concerned for the fate of their church.
3. Delgado/Spofford Mill Villages Location: Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC. Delgado/ Spofford Mills were established in 1899, and its surroundings were known as Mill Hill. The village included homes, a school, medical clinic, and buildings for the textile plant. Few buildings remain, and those that do are threatened by urban development. 4. The Town of Point Caswell Location: Atkinson, North Carolina, Pender County. This historic town along the Cape Fear River boomed while steamboats navigated the waters. Today the town has largely been forgotten, and the community s site and few structures have not been recognized for their historic significance. 5. Gaylord Building/DeYoung Building Location: 210 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC. The Gaylord Building has been neglected and continues to sit idle when downtown is flourishing. The vacant building remains one of the last commercial sites on Front Street still to be renovated.
6. Tide Water Power & Light Building Location: 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, NC. Tide Water Power & Light Company moved their company s offices into this building in the 1950 s. The building s architecture is reminiscent of Bauhaus, a form of architecture emphasizing simple form which arose in Germany before World War II. Later, New Hanover County housed their administrative offices in this building. Due to the relocation of government offices and a general lack of community appreciation for post-ww II architecture, the fate of this building remains uncertain. 7. Atlantic Coast Line Building Location: Downtown Wilmington, NC. The building, which until recently housed the Wilmington Police Department, is one of the last architectural vestiges of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad which once dominated downtown Wilmington. Many of the railroad s buildings were lost to Urban Renewal decades ago. This building could soon be lost to Cape Fear Community College s potential planning to expand their campus.