Founded circa 1739 and once served as pirate sanctuary.

Named for Spencer Compton, England's Earl of Wilmington.

Largest North Carolina city until the end of the Civil War.

Last Southern port to fall to Union forces in the Civil War.

Construction site for over 250 "WWII Liberty Ships."    

POW Camp for over 500 enemy soldiers during WWII.

Home of Henry Bacon, architect of the Lincoln Memorial.

Wilmington to Weldon railroad was once world's longest.

Site of first motion picture theater (Bijou) in North Carolina.

 Morning Star is North Carolina's oldest continuous newspaper.

Home of  high school basketball team that cut Michael Jordan.

Filming cite of TV shows "One Tree Hill" & "Dawson's Creek."

Production location for over 250 motion pictures/TV shows.

Home port of retired Battleship "USS North Carolina."

Top ten in nation for per capita consumption of fast food.

 NY flight to Paris is cheaper & quicker than flight to Wilmington.

Locals consider use of turn signals or ash trays to be waste of energy.

Wilmington is becoming known as "Where the sewer meets the Sea."