Wilmington in USA is located in the southeastern United States.Wilmington is a very beautiful city with a rich history and a different culture.You will be shocked of knowing the various Fun Facts About Wilmington NC, the total population of the country is estimated to be over 123,000 people and is home to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a prestigious institution of higher learning with over 17,000 students.The city is situated on the beach of cape Fear River which merges into the atlantic ocean which is few miles away.Visitors to Wilmington will be mesmerised by seeing the historic view of this city.The city is also home to several museums that chronicle its fascinating past, including the Cape Fear Museum, the Wilmington Railroad Museum, and the Bellamy Mansion Museum.Besides its historical and cultural attractions, Wilmington is also known for its beautiful beaches.
Statistical & Geographical Fun Facts About Wilmington NC
- Wilmington city is located in southeastern North Carolina of United States
- If you notice at google map you will find that Wilmington is where 1-40 ends and that the city lies along the Cape Fear River.
- You will take approx 2 hours to reach the city from Raleigh (car drive), 2 and 1/2 hours from Durham, and 1 and 1/2 hour from Fayetteville.Wilmington a day trip destination from each of those places, and an excellent place to spent weekend from larger cities such as charlotte.
- The total area that Wilmington occupies is nearly 53 square miles with much of its area (51.41 square miles) and a smaller portion (1.56 square miles) on water.
- As per the data of 2020 Wilmington has a population of 115,451. It’s the 8th-most populous city in the north carolina.
Famous People Of Wilmington
- David Brinkley (TV Anchorman and News Presenter, Born in Wilmington in 1920)
- Charlie Daniels (Musician, Born in Wilmington in 1936)
- Roman Gabriel (1969 NFL MVP and Quarterback, Born in Wilmington in 1940)
- Althea Gibson (Professional Tennis Player and Golfer, Moved to Wilmington )
- Cornelius Harnett (Revolutionary War-era Statesman, Moved to Wilmington Shortly after Birth)
- Michael Jordan (Greatest Basketball Player of All Time, Born in Brooklyn, New York, but Moved Here at Age 5)
- Sonny Jurgensen (Hall-of-Fame NFL Quarterback, Born in Wilmington in 1934)
- Charles Kuralt (Journalist, Born in Wilmington in 1934)
- Meadowlark Lemon (Famous Harlem Globetrotter, Born in Wilmington in 1932)
- Anna McNeill Whistler (Born in Wilmington in 1804)
- President Woodrow Wilson (Lived in Wilmington from 1874-1882)
History of Wilmington
Wilmington is a city in the state of Delaware, located in the northeastern part of the United States. The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native Americans, who called the area “Maax-waas Unk” meaning “place of the bear.” The first European settlement in the area was established by the Dutch in 1638, and the town was later taken over by the British in 1664.In the 18th century, Wilmington became an important center for trade and commerce, thanks to its location on the Delaware River. The town was officially incorporated in 1739, and by the mid-1700s, it had become a major center for shipbuilding, as well as the production of textiles and gunpowder.
Some Historical Facts of Wilmington
- In 1524, Giovanni da Verrazano is believed to be the first European to see the Cape Fear region. The Italian explorer sailed along much of the Atlantic Coast, documenting his travels for King Francis I of France.
- At that time and for thousands of years, Native Americans occupied the area.
- They continued to do so until after the Tuscarora war between 1711 and 1715, which led to many native deaths and displacement. As a result, more European settlers began arriving in North Carolina.
- Today, you can still find arrowheads (along with shells) on the shores of Wilmington and surrounding islands.
- Official dates vary but between 1729 and 1733, but English settlers established a town where Wilmington stands today, naming it “New Carthage.”
- Many of the settlers owned enslaved people, who were largely responsible for the building of the town.
- Additional name changes (New Liverpool, New Town, and Newton) followed in the 1730s.
20th Century Facts About Wilmington
- Wilmington’s shipyards supported the World War I effort and the local economy benefited as a result.
- Alexander Sprunt & Sons moved into the Front Street building once occupied by the Cape Fear Flour and Pearl Hominy Mill in 1919. The company shipped cotton to ports throughout the world. Today, the collection of eight buildings is known as the COTTON EXCHANGE housing a variety of shops and RESTAURENT.
- In 1920, David Brinkley was born in Wilmington. His newscasting career spanned six decades for NBC and ABC. Brinkley won multiple prestigious awards and also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Brinkley passed away in 2003 and is buried at Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington.
- Also in 1925, Jazz bassist Percy Heath was born in Wilmington. He’d grow up in Philadelphia and play with big names like Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie.
- Christian Adolph Jurgensen was born in Wilmington in 1934. Better known as Sonny Jurgensen, he quarterbacked the Philadelphia Eagles (1957-63), winning an NFL championship in 1960. He followed that up with a long stint with the Washington Redskins (1964-74). Jergensen was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
- In 1936, Charles Edward Daniels (Charlie Daniels) was born in Wilmington. His musical career spanned five decades, garnered numerous Billboard Hot 100 singles (including #1 for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”), multiple awards, and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Roman Gabriel was born in Wilmington in 1940. He starred at New Hanover High School and NC State, a two-time All-American quarterback. Gabriel played 16 years in the NFL, mostly with the LA Rams. Roman was also the first quarterback of Filipino-American descent.
- During World War II, the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company was created as part of the Emergency Shipbuilding Program.
- Prisoner-of-War camps also operated in Wilmington during the war, housing 550 German POWs from 1944 to 1946.
- North Carolina’s State Port Authority was approved in 1945 and remains a huge factor behind Wilmington’s economy.
- In 1946, Althea Gibson moved to Wilmington and enrolled at the segregated Williston Industrial High School. Among many honors, she was the first Black woman to play in the United States Tennis Association’s National Indoor Championships. Gibson became the first African-American to win the French Open (then the French Championships) in 1956. During her illustrious career, Gibson won 11 Grand Slam tennis tournaments and is a member of both the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. She also became the first Black player to join the Women’s Pro Golf Tour in the 1960s.
- Wilmington College opened in 1947. Today, we know it as the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
- The first-ever Azalea Festival began on April 9, 1948. It remains an annual spring tradition.
- A shock to Wilmington’s economy came in 1955 when the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL) announced plans to relocated its headquarters to Jacksonville, Florida. December 15, 1955 is also known as “Black Thursday” in Wilmington. The relocation completed in 1960.
- Ray Charles Leonard was born in Wilmington in 1956. You might know him better as Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the world’s all-time greatest boxers.
- The Wilmington Industrial Education Center was founded in 1958. Today, it’s known as Cape Fear Community College.
- Fort Fisher was declared North Carolina’s first National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it’s managed by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as Fort Fisher State Historic Site.
- The Battleship North Carolina also arrived in Wilmington in 1961 and was dedicated in 1962. Today, it remains one of Wilmington’s most popular attractions.
- Wilmington was named an All-American City in 1966.
- In 1968, 5-year-old Michael Jordan moved to Wilmington with his family.
- A Marine Science Center opened in 1976 near Fort Fisher and Carolina Beach. Today, it’s known as the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.
- To honor the city’s railroad history, the Wilmington Railroad Museum was established in 1979 in parts of the former ACL headquarters. It’s one of our favorite things to do with kids in Wilmington.
- Construction began on the Wilmington Riverwalk in 1980. It was fully completed in on November 18, 2017.
- In 1981, Michael Jordan scored 30 points in the McDonald’s All-American Game. After being recruited by quite a few big-name schools, Jordan decided to take his talents to Chapel Hill and play for the UNC Men’s Basketball Team.
Current Facts About Wilmington
- Today, Wilmington’s main industries include:
- Shipping (hence the nicknmame “Port City.”)
- Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Movie and TV production (hence the nickname “Wilmywood.”)
- The city’s history is recognized throughout Wilmington’s revitalized downtown and beyond. Visitors and residents alike view Wilmington as a thriving (and scenic) city and gateway to some of North Carolina’s most popular beach destination. The off-season is even appealing, thanks to milder weather and plenty of things to do.
- In 2016, mobile phone tapped became a subsidiary of Wilmington-based next glass. The app helps users track the beers they’ve consumed or plan to drink at a later date. Whether you’re visiting your favorite wilmington brewery or drinking elsewhere, Untappd is a great way to check in and stay connected with fellow beer lovers.
- Speaking of beer, mad mol brewing in Wilmington opened in 2018 as America’s first solar craft microbrewery.
- In 2018, Michael Jordan donated $2 million to aid Wilmington’s Hurricane Florence recovery efforts. This is one of many philanthropic efforts from Jordan to Wilmington and many other places throughout the world.
- Wilmington was declared as the first World War II Heritage City in the US by President Donald Trump.