Wilmington In recent years, Wilmington has earned a national reputation as a vibrant, thriving place to live. “Revitalization,” in all of its forms, is an attribute upon which all residents here can pride themselves. A new era has arrived for Wilmington and other outlying towns that have seen great economic revival over the past decade while working to keep their essential architectural spirits intact. The beach communities, which by virtue of a geography that places them jutting out into the Atlantic “like a jaw,” have shown the kind of remarkable resilience and spirit that enable them to continue improving their quality of life. Founded in 1739, Wilmington built itself up as a major port and ship-building center. Its unique location on the Cape Fear River made it a significant location during the Revolutionary and Civil wars. During the 19th century, Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina, further enhanced by its rail service. The port city was the terminus of several major railroads, including the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad, the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad and the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad. However, the 20th century brought hard times to downtown Wilmington as residential and commercial development moved out to the suburbs. As other cities in the country transformed their downtowns through urban renewal during the 1960s, Wilmington’s slow economy prevented it from destroying its older buildings and houses, which remain to this day. In the past 30 years, Wilmington has reinvented its downtown by utilizing its historic structures, converting them into condominiums, specialty shops and restaurants. The quaint, Old World charm of this historic city has attracted visitors and movie-makers alike, eager to capture the Wilmington of the past. The city’s 230-block historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the largest in the country. Wilmington continues to be the hub of activity in southeastern North Carolina, offering an array of activities – both cultural and recreational – that have made it a star attraction for visitors from the rest of the state. The diversity of experience it offers is the key. It’s a smallish city filled with many cultural amenities typically found in a larger metropolitan area. Wilmington possesses a stylish downtown filled with chic restaurants and clothing boutiques only 12 miles away from the nearest laid-back beach bum experience. And in that stylish downtown, a quaint, historic atmosphere serves as a backdrop for trendy, even cutting-edge, happenings. Yet the most important “cross-over” feature of Wilmington isn’t necessarily its geographic location between the river and the sea, but its place in time. The city quite literally occupies a position squarely between the past and the future. And it’s this position that makes for a rather exciting present, to the extent that one of the truest things ever said about Wilmington is that it’s a city “that loves to talk about itself.” With just over 95,000 residents, Wilmington is caught up in such a dynamic moment that even its borders are changing rapidly. In recent years, several county districts adjacent to Wilmington were annexed and made part of the city proper – with possibly more to follow in the near future. Unprecedented population growth in the area, primarily over the past 10 years, has transformed greater Wilmington from being a quiet little holdout of Southern grace and charm to a city of national stature. The live oaks and Spanish moss still abound, and you can still see occasional glimpses of oyster shell-paved streets, especially in downtown alleyways. But these days those streets are just as likely to be walked by a transplanted Northerner as by a native – or, for that matter, by a Hollywood star filming a movie that will inevitably make full use of Wilmington’s remarkable and diverse architecture, serving just as inevitably to portray some other location. A quick tour around Wilmington is all you need to realize that you’ve just moved to a very special place. The downtown, or historic district, might be called the region’s hub despite the fact that significant development occurring just south and east of the city will likely shift the center of population to the area between Wilmington and Carolina Beach. But for culture, a view of the Cape Fear River and a tour of several centuries of architectural styles, downtown’s the place to go for a walk. In particular, the River Walk is a scenic walkway along the river ornamented with old-fashioned streetlights that ends at Riverfront Park. In the thriving residential and business district, homes dating from the Revolutionary War era are immaculately restored as private residences and museums. Retail shops and restaurants, art galleries and law offices populate the waterfront. The Cotton Exchange is composed of eight restored buildings that are connected by brick walkways overlooking the Cape Fear River. It features more than 30 specialty shops and restaurants. Another favorite is Chandler’s Wharf at Ann and Water streets, which also offers unique shopping opportunities. To learn more, take the self-guided walking tour outlined by the Convention and Visitors Bureau (Old Courthouse on Third Street), or take the Ghost Walk along Market and Water streets and experience some of Wilmington’s haunted history. Real estate in Wilmington has flourished in recent years, both in restored, historic homes and new construction. Wilmington’s riverfront area, once a thriving maritime commercial center, is going through another change as condominiums are created out of the historic landmarks of the past. Among these are Water Street Center, Chandler’s Watch and Riverwalk Condominiums. Added residential space downtown has helped to bolster retail, and several new parking ramps have been built to accommodate the increased number of residents and shoppers. The Mansion District along Market Street is a must-see, where restored 19th century homes range from $300,000 to more than $600,000. Yet, smaller homes and fixer-uppers are available nearby for very affordable prices. Carolina Heights and Carolina Place, neighborhoods established in the early part of the 20th century, feature Colonial Revival and Classical Revival homes close to downtown. One of Wilmington’s earliest suburbs, Forest Hills offers homes built in the 1930s and ‘40s as well as some newer construction. Characterized by exquisite landscaping and large oak trees, homes in Forest Hills range from $200,000 to around $600,000. If you’re looking for the country club lifestyle, Pine Valley off South College Road surrounds the Pine Valley Country Club, a private club with an 18-hole course. Newer developments include River Pointe, a townhome community on the Cape Fear River with a pool and cabana, and Sunset South off Carolina Beach Road, with 130 homes starting in the $90s. Sunset South borders Historic Sunset Park and includes sidewalks, a landscaped community park and tree-lined streets. One of the most luxurious new developments is Landfall, a gated community on the Intracoastal Waterway near Wrightsville Beach. Landfall is characterized by its manicured lawns, distinctive architecture and natural surroundings. The golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Pete Dye, offers 45 holes of play. Landfall also features two clubhouses, a tennis center and 24-hour security. Homes at Landfall range from $400,000 to $4 million and homesites start at $200,000. Traveling from the downtown south along U.S. 421 – or Carolina Beach Road – will eventually bring you across Snow’s Cut Bridge and into the lower section of the Cape Fear peninsula, where you’ll reach Carolina Beach, then Kure Beach and finally Fort Fisher and the North Carolina Aquarium. Fort Fisher is where one of the final and determining battles was fought during the Civil War as the South’s last open supply port fell to the Union armies. What remains of the fort (along with a museum and visitor center) still offers a wealth of knowledge about this important place. This brings up a good tip: Get acquainted with the “North Carolina Room” at the main branch of the New Hanover County Public Library, located at Chestnut and Third streets. Here you will find not only plenty of books about the region, its battles and its overall history, but also newspaper clippings dating back to the 18th century. You may easily find yourself spending whole afternoons here getting “the back story” on Wilmington. By taking the ferry from Fort Fisher to Southport, it’s possible to stop by historic Orton Plantation, Brunswick Town and the Progress Energy Nuclear Plant visitors center before turning back toward Wilmington. Now you’re in Brunswick County. Southport itself is worth visiting for a whole day with its antique shops, restaurants and historic waterfront. Traveling back to Wilmington along the western side of the Cape Fear River, the last stop is the USS North Carolina Battleship Memorial. It’s another link to the past that is very much with us in the present. Commissioned in 1941, the ship participated in Pacific naval operations during WWII, including Guadalcanal and Okinawa. The arts scene in Wilmington is, to put it mildly, thriving. The city can easily boast more small theater companies than any other in the state – even if their performances are held in underground pubs and former churches. Dating back to 1858, historic Thalian Hall downtown is home to the oldest continually operating theater company in the nation. Within its complex, full-scale musicals, rock operas, light operas and internationally renowned dance companies perform. The Louise Wells Cameron Art Museum is the only museum dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the art of North Carolina. Formerly known as St. John’s Museum, the museum recently built a new 42,000-square-foot facility just south of downtown that opened in 2002. It boasts a rare set of Mary Cassatt prints as well as collections of work by famed resident artists Minnie Evans, Elisabeth Augusta Chant and Claude Howell. It also hosts temporary exhibitions of paintings, prints, art glass and more. To grasp the history of the Cape Fear Coast, visit the Cape Fear Museum, the oldest history museum in North Carolina, founded in 1898. Exhibits capture the cultural and natural history of the region with historic artifacts and interactive displays. Other interesting museums include the Wilmington Children’s Museum, which offers hands-on learning opportunities for kids, and the Wilmington Railroad Museum, which captures the history of the railroad along the Cape Fear Coast. Undoubtedly, Wilmington has recreational appeal for newcomers. Close to Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, Wilmington also features several parks within its vicinity. Greenfield Lake and Gardens, covered with moss-draped cypress and gorgeous azaleas, is one of the most beautiful spots in Wilmington. Covering 150 acres, Greenville Lake offers picnic areas and a small amphitheater. It is the site of the popular Azalea Festival, held each April. South of Wilmington off Carolina Beach Road (U.S. 421), Carolina Beach State Park covers 761 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cape Fear River. Here, you can camp, fish, launch your boat from the park’s marina or go hiking on the park’s six miles of trails. UNC Wilmington has been close to the heart of Wilmington’s growth. Leading the nation in marine sciences education and recognized consistently by U.S. News & World Report as one of the South’s top schools, the university draws students from around the world. Its highly acclaimed doctoral program in marine science is only one of three on the East Coast. Adding to the educational offerings locally are Cape Fear Community College, Shaw University, Mount Olive College and Miller-Motte Business College. As Wilmington continues to grow and flourish, its attractiveness to those in search of a unique place to live or retire will increase. Newcomers and old-timers alike know that the continually unfolding story of Wilmington’s future might read like an adventure, but it’s one made possible by the city’s very storied past. PHOTO COURTESY OF NC DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT