Hill's Wilmington (New Hanover County, N.C.) City Directory [1960], Part 2

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 928

USA > North Carolina > New Hanover County > Wilmington > Hill's Wilmington (New Hanover County, N.C.) City Directory [1960] > Part 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Industry, Transportation, Trade, Agriculture

The economic life of the Wilmington area within the last few years has been undergoing a material change. This change has been due chiefly to the enlarging of existing manufacturing plants and the erection of new ones in the immediate territory. Wilmington has become justly famous for the handling and conversion of timber, petroleum, asphalt and fertilizer products; the fabri- cation of marine boilers, and the manufacture of hosiery, shirts, plush, velour, and paper products.

A recent factor that added to the industrial life of this area was the new steam generating plant of the Carolina Power and Light Company. This new plant assures more than an adequacy of electric power for the Wilmington area, for some time to come. The magnitude of this plant affords expansion also for other areas of southeastern North Carolina. Plans of the company contemplated expansion of the Coastal Plain area in that local installations were designed for four units. Two generating units have been installed, which normally develop 300,000 horsepower. Also, the Tidewater Natural Gas Company has brought natural gas to Wilmington and conversion of local equipment is expected to be completed in 1959.

With both water and rail transportations thus affording quick hauls and low freight rates, and near the sources of raw materials, Wilmington is a splendid spot for manufacturing industries. Two big railroad systems-the Atlantic Coast Line and the Seaboard Air Line-place the city near the great coal fields and iron-producing zones.

Wilmington is the center of one of the greatest vegetable and flower dis- tricts in North Carolina. It produces nearly $2,000,000 in early crops, bulbs, flowers and truck crops. It has 250 growing days per year, with equable rain- fall.

Wilmington is the headquarters of the Atlantic Coast Line System.

The Port of Wilmington in Relation to Foreign Trade

Wilmington possesses a fresh-water harbor about thirty miles from the mouth of the Cape Fear River. It is open to navigation on a 24-hour basis, the river being adequately equipped with lights for night navigation. Ice conditions

INTRODUCTION

The City Hall Building at Third and Princess Streets, erected in 1855, with its Corinthian Columns, impresses local citizens and tourists alike. For its age of 100 years, it is in excellent condition.

are unknown, and fair weather generally is prevalent. A deep-water channel of 34 feet is provided, insuring safe passage of deep-draft vessels, from the mouth of the river to Wilmington. Satisfactory turning basins are provided for the largest freighters afloat, and vessels from Europe, Latin-America, Africa, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Ports call at Wilmington. In addition, there are vessels calling from the West Indies, and there is a projection for inter- coastal and Far Eastern services.

Excellent rail facilities, afforded by two major railroads, are available for the satisfactory distribution of import commodities throughout the state of North Carolina and through the interior of the U. S. Wilmington, as a port, also is a focal point for export shipments, not only from North Carolina, but nearby and Mid-Western states. The import and export traffic through the Port of Wil- mington is heavy and ever-increasing, which marks a successful port. Large quantities of tobacco, cotton goods, fertilizer materials, lumber products, foodstuffs and other commodities are handled regularly for export. The imports are varied. Vast quantities of petroleum products are shipped regularly into Wilmington for distribution throughout the state. Nitrate materials, sulphur, molasses, sugar, hardwoods, burlap and additional commodities constitute the bulk of the import traffic.

The North Carolina State Ports Authority is capable of handling five ships of the size of C-2 vessels at one time. The most modern handling equipment is used, and there are transit sheds aggregating 278,000 square feet of transit space and storage warehouse of 189,000 square feet. These terminals are the most modern of their kind on the Atlantic Seaboard and are properly equipped for the expeditious handling of either truck or rail traffic. The terminals were constructed at a cost of $5,500,000. $2,500,000 was spent in 1958 for new con- struction.

INIWNOHY

XII

INTRODUCTION

Photograph by Hugh Morton New State Port Terminals, south side of city, on the Cape Fear River.

Photograph by David Ruark

Wilmington is fast becoming known as the leading Cruise Port of the South Atlantic. In freight, Wilmington Harbor is currently rated next to Jacksonville, Florida.

XIII

INTRODUCTION

Cattle grazing at Invershiel Farm, in Pender County, a few miles from Wil- mington, demonstrating the ease of having year-'round pasturage for economical production of milk and beef.

اليم يعزائر

Photograph by Shaw

Salt and fresh water in the Wilmington area provide unparralleled sources of recreation and enjoyment. The billfish record for 1959 was 3 blue marlin caught by one fisherman within 6 hours.

The city has, in addition to the state ports terminal facilities, some 600,000 more square feet of terminal warehouse space and wharves available, which will accommodate twelve ocean-going ships at one time.

Wilmington is North Carolina's major seaport city and the gateway of the State's commerce and trade. North Carolina is vast in area, larger than New York or Pennsylvania, and almost as large as New England. Wilmington is the natural distributing point for North Carolina and parts of South Carolina and Georgia. The port of Wilmington is the nearest Atlantic port to the Ohio gate- ways, and nearer Cincinnati than the competitive Port of Charleston by 15 miles.

Sunny Point Army Terminal, constructed at a cost of $25,000,000., 25 miles south of Wilmington on the Cape Fear River, is an ammunition outloading depot of the United States Army.

ALIGNMENT

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INTRODUCTION

Photograph by David Ruark Resort activities make for a happier life and a stronger economy for the New Hanover County area.

Photograph by Pascal Camak

Typical scene of numerous nearby beaches.

INTRODUCTION

Wilmington is the terminus of six major highways of North Carolina's splendid good roads system. The city also is an important point on the Ocean Highway extending from Portland, Maine, to Miami, Fla. U. S. Routes 17, 74, 76, 117 and 421 serve the city.

Bluethenthal Field is one of the most modern and efficient to be found be- tween New York and Miami. It has two intersecting paved runways of 7,000 feet in length, and a cross runway of 8,000 feet. It accommodates jet aircraft as well as modern commercial aircraft operated by Piedmont Air Lines and National Airlines on scheduled flights. The entire airport area is 1,200 acres, with a modern administration building. Bluethenthal Field itself is serviced by the latest ILS equipment. The U. S. Weather Bureau office is located at the field, and reports are available on a 24-hour basis. Transient aircraft and air- craft of the Armed Services are always welcome to use this ultra-modern facility.

An Ideal Place to Live

Wilmington has a wonderful climate; no extremes of heat or cold. Average summer temperature, 78 degrees; average winter temperature, 48 degrees. The normal rainfall is 53 inches; average annual clear days, 132 (New York rainfall, 44 inches; clear days, 118. New Orleans, rainfall, 57 inches; clear days, 109). The mild climate and diversified opportunities make this city and section a haven for homeseekers.

Photograph by Hugh Morton

Greenfield Lake, a municipal park and garden, open to the public at all times. This is one of the most beautiful attractions in the South, boasting of over one million azaleas in bloom during azalea season.

INGANDITY

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INTRODUCTION

Wilmington is a city of fine streets and parks, attractive homes, beautiful churches and modern schools, in a county netted by good roads. It is a place of up-to-date amusements, with some of the best beach resorts on the South At- lantic Coast within thirty minutes' ride of the city. Wrightsville Beach, eight miles east of the city, is an island resort of fame and renown. It is connected with the mainland by excellent half-hour bus service and causeway to Harbor Island just west of the beach. Carolina, Wilmington and Fort Fisher Beaches, south of the city, are mainland resorts with many delightful attractions. Wil- mington's five fine beaches are among the only mainland resorts on the North Carolina coast where one can drive directly to the ocean in an automobile. The five beaches attract approximately 100,000 visitors every summer.

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 1698, welcomes the op- portunity of answering questions about the city, the county and the fine beaches. Write the Chamber of Commerce for any information needed. You are assured of prompt, cordial and co-operative service, geared to a program of community development.

YELLOW PAGES

WILMINGTON (NORTH CAROLINA)

1960

JBLICO ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICAN

OPENNI

1898

Hill's Wilmington (New Hanover County, N.C.) City Directory [1960], Part 2

Author: Hill Directory Company. Publication date: 1960 Publisher: Hill Directory Co. Number of Pages: 928

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 928