The Beginning of Wilmington, Wilmington
The Beginning of Wilmington memorial is a simple, rectangular, stone tablet. The inscription fills the entire tablet that appears to be made of marble.
THE BEGINNING OF WILMINGTON WAS OPPOSITE / THE JUNCTION OF THE RIVERS, IN 1730, AND / CALLED NEW LIVERPOOL. IN 1733 A SETTLE- / MENT WAS MADE AT THE FOOT OF MARKET / STREET, NAMED NEWTON AND HERE / GOV. GABRIEL JOHNSON / AND OTHER OFFICIALS LOCATED IN 1734. IN / MAY 1735, THE COLONIAL COUNCIL AND COURTS / WERE HELD HERE. IN 1739 THE TOWN WAS / INCORPORATED AS WILMINGTON AND GIVEN A / REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. / NEW HANOVER HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1919.
City of Wilmington
June 9, 1919
34.237250 , -77.945900
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“All Markers Now in Place in County,” The Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, NC), January 28, 1921
“Exercises Held at Historic Markers,” The Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, NC), June 10, 1919
“Historic City Hall, Wilmington, N.C.” Digital Commonwealth, www.digitalcommonwealth.org, (accessed December 12, 2023) Link
“Historic Spots Will Be Marked,” The Wilmington Morning Star (Wilmington, NC), January 15, 1920
“The Beginning of Wilmington,” The Historical Marker Database, HMdb.org, (accessed December 12, 2023) Link
“Wilmington City Hall - Thalian Hall, 102 North Third Street, Wilmington, New Hanover, NC,” Library of Congress, (accessed December 12, 2023) Link
Yes
Stone, possibly marble
New Hanover Historical Commission and North Carolina Historical Commission
This marker was one of a series of 19 markers placed by the New Hanover Historical Commission between 1919 and 1921. The first 13 were placed in 1919. The Beginning of Wilmington plaque was placed in 1920. The first 13 were dedicated in one combined ceremony on June 9, 1919. Superintendent John J. Blain opened the ceremony on behalf of the school system followed by remarks by Rev. Andrew J. Howell who made remarks on the work of the North Carolina Historical Commission. Separate ceremonies for those placed after 1919 were not noted in news reports.
The plaque is located to the left of the stairway leading into the Wilmington City Hall - Thalian Hall located at 102 North Third Street. A U.S.S. Maine memorial plaque is to the right of the stairway.
The City Hall faces the North Third Street. Mature shady trees stand on both sides of the City Hall staircase.
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