National Historic Marker Day: These are some of the oldest markers in the Wilmington area
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Historical markers are a tangible reminder for historical events, people and places.
These commemorative plaques preserve history and serve as educational tools for residents and tourists. They play a vital role in shaping the cultural identity of generations, transcending time by connecting people to the stories, struggles and victories of the past.
More than 194,000 historical markers exist nationwide, according to the Historical Marker Database. With 173 historical markers in New Hanover County, 62 in Brunswick County, and 47 in Pender County, Wilmington and its surrounding regions are steeped in history.
With National Historic Marker Day on Friday, April 26, here's a look at some of the oldest historical markers located in each county, as recorded by the Historical Marker Database.
More: The Fort Fisher State Historic Site is closing temporarily. Here's when and why
New Hanover County
The Beginning of Wilmington
Erected: 1919
Description: "The beginning of Wilmington was opposite the junction of the rivers, in 1730, and called New Liverpool," the inscription reads.
Location: On North 3rd Street, north of Princess Street.
Thomas Godfrey
Erected: 1929
Description: Thomas Godfrey was a Philadelphia born playwright who authored "The Prince of Parthia," the first American-written drama produced on the professional stage in the colonies.
Location: In the St. James Episcopal Church Cemetery.
Edward B. Dudley
Erected: 1933
Description: Edward B. Dudley was the first governor in North Carolina to be elected by popular vote. His home was located two blocks west.
Location: At the intersection of South 3rd Street and Nun Street.
St. James Church
Erected: 1936
Description: First built in 1751, a new building was erected in 1839 near the site of the older church. The graves of Thomas Godfrey and Cornelius Harnet are located at St. James.
Location: The intersection of Market Street and South 4th Street.
Washington's Southern Tower
Erected: 1940
Description: The first President of the United States, George Washington, was a guest at the Quince home, located two blocks west.
Location: At the intersection of Dock Street and North 3rd Street.
Early Drawbridge
Erected: 1940
Description: "One of the few drawbridges in the American colonies was built near here by Benjamin Heron about 1768," the inscription reads.
Location: On Castle Hayne Road, north of Orange Street.
Woodrow Wilson
Erected: 1941
Description: Woodrow Wilson, the 28th U.S. president, lived in The Presbyterian Manse which stood one block east.
Location: At the intersection of South 3rd Street and Cottage Lane.
Brunswick County
Russelborough
Erected: 1909
Description: In 1776, "five hundred Cape Fear men" surrounded Tyron's Palace, required a comptroller to sign an oath that he would never issue stamped paper in this "Province of North Carolina," according to the inscription.
Location: In Brunswick Town State Historic Site. Can be reached from St. Phillips Road S.E.
Fort Johnston
Erected: 1911
Description: Fort Johnston was the "first fort in Province of North Carolina, built under Act of Assembly of 1745 and completed 1764," the inscription reads.
Location: On East Bay Street, east of South Davis Street.
Alfred Moore
Erected: 1940
Description: Alfred Moore was the second North Carolinian to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Location: On River Road S.E. south of U.S. 17.
Robert Howe
Erected: 1940
Description: Major general in the American Revolutionary War.
Location: On River Road S.E. south of U.S. 17.
First Post Road
Erected: 1942
Description: "The road from New England to Charleston, over which mail was first carried regularly in North Carolina, 1738–39, passed near this spot," the inscription reads.
Location: On U.S. 17 near the South Carolina line, located on the right when traveling north.
Spanish Attack
Erected: 1948
Description: "A Spanish expedition captured the town of Brunswick, 1748, during King George’s War, but was soon driven away by the colonial militia," the inscription reads.
Location: On River Road S.E., north of Plantation Road.
St. Phillips Church
Erected: 1954
Description: "Anglican, built under act of 1751. Graves of Governors Arthur Dobbs and Benjamin Smith and U.S. Justice Alfred Moore," the inscription reads.
Location: At the intersection of River Road and Plantation Road.
Pender County
John Grady Memorial
Erected: 1857
Description: Grady was "the first martyr in the cause of freedom in North Carolina," the inscription reads, commemorating the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge.
Location: Can be reached from Moores Creek Drive, 0.2 miles west of N.C. 210.
Women's Monument
Erected: 1907
Description: "To the honored memory of the heroic women of the lower Cape Fear during the American Revolution 1775-1781," the inscription reads.
Location: Can be reached from Moores Creek Drive, 0.2 miles west of N.C. 210.
Old Wilmington and Fayetteville Stage Road
Erected: 1911
Description: "Route taken by British and Tory Army from Cross Creek to join Lord Cornwallis and Clinton at Wilmington," the inscription reads.
Location: Can be reached from Moores Creek Drive, west of N.C. 210.
Stag Park
Erected: 1948
Description: "Named by Barbadian explorers, 1663," the inscription reads. "Home of Gov. George Burrington and Samuel Strudwick, colonial official."
Location: On U.S. 117, close to Business U.S. 117.
Welsh Tract
Erected: 1948
Description: "About 1730 a group of Welsh from the colony of Pennsylvania settled in this area, between the Northeast and Cape Fear rivers," the inscription reads.
Location: On U.S. 117 south of Exit 390.
Edward Moseley
Erected: 1951
Description: "Acting governor, 1724, president of the Council, speaker of the Assembly, leader of popular party," the inscription reads.
Location: On U.S. 117 south of Double Eagle Road.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: National Historic Marker Day: Here are Wilmington, NC's oldest markers
