The New International Encyclopædia/Wilmington (North Carolina)

WILMINGTON. The largest city of North Carolina, a port of entry, and the county-seat of New Hanover County, 148 miles south by east of Raleigh, on the Cape Fear River and on the Seaboard Air Line, the Atlantic Coast Line, and other railroads (Map: North Carolina, E 3). It is situated 20 miles from the mouth of the Cape Fear River, and has steamship connection with New York and other Atlantic ports. The city is well laid out. Among the prominent structures are the United States Government building, the city hall, the county court-house, and the Masonic Temple. There are also Cape Fear Academy, a public library, the City and County Hospital, and the United States Marine Hospital. Wilmington is primarily a commercial city. Its foreign trade for the year ending June 30, 1901, aggregated $12,194,571, including exports to the value of $12,013,659. Cotton, lumber, and naval stores constitute the principal shipments. In manufacturing the city ranks fourth in the State, its various industries in the census year 1900 having $2,968,199 capital and a production valued at $2,960,028. There are lumber mills, cotton presses, cotton mills, cottonseed-oil mills, rice mills, dye works, and manufactories of fertilizers, tea chests, etc. Under the charter of 1866, the government is vested in a mayor, chosen biennially, and a unicameral council. A board of audit and finance, appointed by the State Governor, fixes salaries and controls the city finances. The subordinate administrative officials are elected by the council. Population, in 1890, 20,056; in 1900, 20,976.

Settled as ‘Newtown’ in 1730, Wilmington was incorporated in 1739 as a town under its present name. In 1743 it became the capital of the province. It was occupied by the British in 1781-82. During the Civil War it was the centre of communication between the Confederate States and foreign governments. Consult Powell (editor), Historic Towns of the Southern States (New York, 1900).