Hill's Wilmington (New Hanover County, N.C.) City Directory [1963], Part 2

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 896

USA > North Carolina > New Hanover County > Wilmington > Hill's Wilmington (New Hanover County, N.C.) City Directory [1963] > Part 2

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"Spacious, Clean, Uncluttered beaches"

availability of fishing-party boats make deep-sea fishing a popular sport. Waltonites have a choice of casting from pier, boat, strand or sound.

Camp LeJeune and Fort Bragg

Camp LeJeune, a permanent United States Marine Corps Base, 50 miles northwest of Wilmington, and Fort Bragg, United States Army installation, 90 miles northwest of Wilmington, enhances the local economy.

Gardens

Nature-lovers thrill to the springtime beauty of the azalea and camellia gardens at Orton and Airlie plantations, and the colorful plants and moss- covered cypress at Greenfield Gardens in the heart of Wilmington. All three are open the year round. Annual tours of outstanding gardens are conducted by the Garden Club Council. Private estates are visited by special arrangement. The annual Azalea Festival is held annually late in March or early in April.

Landmarks and Historic Ruins

Settled in 1730, Wilmington has many famous historical buildings and land- marks, including British General Cornwallis' Revolutionary War Headquarters; several of the oldest churches in America; the church where Woodrow Wilson worshipped as a youth; the birthplace of Whistler's mother; historic Fort Fisher; Orton Mansion, built in 1725; and Colonial church ruins.

Population Increase

Wilmington's population, within its city limits, increased rapidly between 1940, when it was 33,407, and 1960, when it was 45,043. Present population of New Hanover County is estimated at 72,000 and that of Metropolitan Wilmington is estimated at 55,000.

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 fabrication of marine boilers, and the manufacture of hosiery, shirts, plush, velour, paper products, textile bags, air conditioning and heating components.

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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 -- New Hanover County Court House in rear of photograph.

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 was completed in 1960.

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 districts 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 rainfall.

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INTRODUCTION

State Port Terminals south side of city, on the Cape Fear River.

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 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, 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 intercoastal 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 Wilming- ton is heavy and ever-increasing, which marks a successful port. Large quan- tities 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, softwoods also 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 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.

Crane

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INTRODUCTION

Wilmington is fast becoming known as the leading Cruise Port of the South Atlantic.

Salt and fresh water in the Wilmington area provide unparalleled recreation and enjoyment for all.

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 gateways.

INTRODUCTION

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

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

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 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 aircraft 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.

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.

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Greenfield Gardens

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 330, 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.

CLASSIFIED BUYERS' GUIDE

OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON

NORTH CAROLINA 1963

THE BUYERS' GUIDE CONTAINS

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THE ADVERTISEMENTS

OF THE

PROGRESSIVE

BUSINESS

MEN

AND

FIRMS.

ALSO A COMPLETE CLASSIFIED

BUSINESS

Hill's Wilmington (New Hanover County, N.C.) City Directory [1963], Part 2

Author: Hill Directory Company. Publication date: 1963 Publisher: Hill Directory Co. Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 896