Historic Photos of Wilmington

by Wade G. Dudley (Contributor), Steve Cox (Editor)

For a century after its incorporation in 1740, Wilmington, North Carolina remained a sleepy port city. Then, the coming of steam-power, especially railroad and steamship, enabled a steady growth. War, whether the Civil War with its blockade-runners or the shipbuilding born of the world conflicts of the 1900s, brought more growth. With that expansion came, of course, growing pains. The story of Wilmington, North Carolina is a story of rivers, sounds, and sea, and of a city that grew near the places where those waters mingled. It is the story of a port that became the “Lifeline of the Confederacy” as well as the lifeline of a state. And in this case, it is the story of over a hundred years of history (1860s to 1970s) told through almost two hundred photographs—the captured essences of people and events now lost.

206 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

A specialist in naval history and North Carolina history, Wade Dudley serves as faculty in the Maritime Studies program at East Carolina University. He earned his bachelor's and master's segrees in history at East Carolina University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama. After earning his doctorate, Dudley returned to East Carolina University, where he taught in the History Department until his death in 2020.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This photo book took me back to a time well before I was born. I always enjoy learning the history of my city, and looking at the photos makes that history come alive. I am so glad that someone was able to preserve all of these photos for people to enjoy for years to come.