Cape Fear Unearthed

We talk with longtime Wilmington resident Elaine Henson about what shopping downtown in the 1950s and '60s was like: Where the department stores were, who had the most magical display windows, where the toys could be found, and where you might see Santa Claus. 

Wilmington filmmaker Kent Chatfield played a starring role in "Wilmington on Fire," Christopher Everett's documentary film about Wilmington's deadly 1898 coup and massacre, the only successful insurrection on American soil in history. Now, Chatfield has directed his own documentary, "McKinley's Guns," which premiered at Thalian Hall in September and will be available for streaming online Nov. 10. In the film, Chatfield reveals research that proves involvement from military officers and U.S. government officials at a higher level than has previously been revealed.

For this week's episode, we talk with Margaret M. Mulrooney, author of the book "Race, Place and Memory: Deep Currents in Wilmington, North Carolina," a comprehensive deep dive into Wilmington's long and troubled racial history that looks at how decades of inequality have shaped, and often warped, life in the Port City. Mulrooney is professor of history at James Madison University in Virginia, and a former visiting professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

The tourists who stay there might not know, but the Holiday Inn at Wrightsville Beach, recently rebranded as Lumina on Wrightsville Beach, a Holiday Inn Resort, sits on the former site of Moore's Inlet. With Ray McAllister, author of "Wrightsville Beach, the Luminous Island," we take a look back at the days when Wrightsville's north end, Shell Island, was actually an island, and when some developers tried to develop a beach for African-Americans during the days of Southern segregation. 

We talk to Wilmington native and North Carolina jazz historian Larry Reni Thomas about The Barn, a club that shone brightly during the days of segregation in the 1940s and early '50s, hosting such legendary players as Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, Cab Calloway and many more. 

From the early days of rice plantations to its time as an industrial zone for Wilmington's naval stores industry, Eagles Island, which with Point Peter makes up the "west bank" of the Cape Fear River across from downtown, has nearly three centuries of history that parallel that of the Port City. As Wilmington decides whether to bring development back to the west bank, we take a look at the history of the area, including its dark associations with slavery. 

Before the rise of chain grocery and convenience stores, dozens of mom-and-pop stores run by independent merchants could be found in nearly every Wilmington neighborhood, most of them downtown. We take a look back at where some of these stores were, why they went away and where their last vestiges remain. 

We talk with retired StarNews sports reporter Chuck Carree about Jordan's days in the '70s and '80s playing high school basketball in Wilmington, and about whether more should be done to recognize the legendary player's ties to Southeastern North Carolina. 

We talk with Mark W. Koenig, the former director of the Wilmington Railroad Museum. In January, his first book, "The Wilmington, Brunswick and Southern Railroad,"  was published by Arcadia Publishing and The History Press. In it, he uncovers the history of the long-forgotten railroad line. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton.

We talk with StarNews investigative reporter Matthew Prensky about a 1983 study commissioned by the city of Wilmington that documented more than 100 historic sites and structures of significance to the Black community. The study was shelved, and more than two dozen of those structures have since been demolished. 

This week, we take a deep dive into more than 15,000 historic Wilmington photographs the Cape Fear Museum recently made available to the public on its website. Some photos date back to the 1860s, and together, they help tell the story of Wilmington -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- in a way words never could.  Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Chandler Hoefle. 

Built in 1876 at Fourth and Market streets, Wilmington's Temple of Israel is believed to be the oldest synagogue in North Carolina and the 10th oldest in the United States in continuous use. We talk with longtime Temple members Glen and Beverly Tetterton about the history of the Temple, the history of Jewish people in Wilmington and about the ongoing campaign to raise money to fix the historic building.  Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Chandler Hoefle

The tale of the Christmas flounder has captured the imagination of Wilmingtonians ever since the story began running in the StarNews every Christmas Eve back in the early 1980s. We look into the Christmas flounder's rather murky origin story.  Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

We talk to the folks at Legacy Architectural Salvage, an offshoot of the Historic Wilmington Foundation, about their work in preserving old building materials for future home renovation and construction projects. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

This week, we talk to Jim Downey and Tim Pinnick of the New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project, who are involved with some of the efforts to commemorate the events of 1898, in part by finding the descendants of those who were killed. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

In this week's episode, we take a look at the history of bridges in New Hanover County, both the bridges that exist today, and the bridges that preceded them. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

Let's talk a little bit of Wilmington film history, history that took place in an unlikely location in the northern wilds of New Hanover County. The massive, shut-down Ideal Cement plant near Castle Hayne has been the site of a dozen or more major film productions over the decades, some of them with very famous names: “The Crow,” “Super Mario Bros.” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," just to name three. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

100 years is a long time. Almost no one even lives that long. But as we look back on the history of Wilmington, there are a handful of businesses that have stood the test of time and, through multiple generations, survived, and even thrived, for 100 years or more. With guest Wilbur Jones, a historian and native Wilmingtonian.  Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Let's take a look back at the many Wilmington movie theaters and drive-ins from yesteryear! Wilmington native Ann Hutteman saw movies at many of these locations, and she shares her memories with us. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 1966, the Historic Wilmington Foundation, which has saved dozens if not hundreds of prominent structures in downtown Wilmington, has made its name on preserving the past for future generations. We talk with new executive director Travis Gilbert and HWF staffer Isabelle Shepherd about how the group is adapting to meet present-day challenges. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

50 years ago, on May 16 and 17, 1971, a fire destroyed Hemenway Hall in downtown Wilmington. The New Hanover County Board of Education building, built in 1915, was formerly Hemenway School. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, but the anniversary opens a window to a time of great unrest in Wilmington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to Kevin Mercer of Cape Fear Explorers about the many historical artifacts he's found in Southeastern N.C. And we speak to Elton Franks about a very special find he made recently in Brunswick County: What appears to a Native American "peace medal" dating back to the early 1700s. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Huggins, the 74th queen of Wilmington's N.C. Azalea Festival, talks with host John Staton about some of the festival's most famous and notable queens, as well as some of her personal favorites. Huggins is the first Miss North Carolina -- as well as the first Miss Wilmington -- to be named queen of the storied Wilmington festival, which she grew up attending as a child growing up in rural Robeson County. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wilmington rock club The Mad Monk only lasted for 13 years, from 1983 to 1996. But the impact it had on live music in the Port City continues to this day. On the 25th anniversary of its closing, John Staton talks to Jeff Reid about the Mad Monk's heyday and its legacy. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new era begins on Cape Fear Unearthed creator Hunter Ingram bids farewell to the podcast and welcomes new host John Staton to the show. Hear about Hunter's new opportunity at Old Baldy Lighthouse, what stories John wants to bring to the show and how the origins of the podcast can be traced to the tunnels underneath downtown Wilmington. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long forgotten by history, the Battle of Forks Road was the last domino to fall before Wilmington was captured by Union forces in the final year of the Civil War. But even more than its military significance, it was a key theater of war for the United States Colored Troops. Across 175 regiments, the USCT was made up primarily of African Americans looking to do their part to ensure President Abraham Lincoln's forces – and his recent Emancipation Proclamation – won the war. The story of the Battle of Forks Road is an important snapshot of the role African Americans played in a war that would ultimately decide their future, and showed how they were on the frontlines even if that wasn't how history always remembered it. Joining the episode to tell the story of the USCT and the Battle of Forks Road is Chris E. Fonvielle Jr., a local historian and author who named the battle following his research on the grounds which are now home to the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Glory at Wilmington: The Battle of Forks Road," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. "Black Soldiers in the Civil War" project, National Archives Cameron Art Museum, Battle of Forks Road literature Civil War military records for USCT troops See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They were inseparable in life and they were inseparable in death. Whoever said a dog is man's best friend would have certainly smiled at the bond between Capt. William Ellerbrock and his dog, Boss, both of whom lived in Wilmington in the late 1800s. The pair would become the lone victims of a vicious blaze in downtown Wilmington in April 1880, victims of circumstance who died committed to unwavering heroism. But their story is bigger than just its tragic end. It speaks to the community of Wilmington and the bravery its residents have shown in its moments of need. Joining this episode is frequent guest Chris E. Fonvielle Jr, a local historian and author of the new book "Curious Tales from Old Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear." Chris stops by to help tell Ellerbrock and Boss' story, as well as detail the origins of his book, which is now available to buy. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Curious Tales from Old Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. The Wilmington Daily Review, April 1880 editions The Wilmington Morning Star, 1880 and 1881 editions See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Thursday: Dec. 15, 1955. To shock of Wilmington, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad announced it would be ending its century-long relationship with the city, where it operated its headquarters in 1900, and moving to a new city. It was a devastating day that provided a harsh period to a massive legacy for the railroad in Wilmington, an industry that put the region on the map and thousands of its residents to work. In recognition of the 65th anniversary of Black Thursday, Cape Fear Unearthed is closing out 2020 with an episode on the steamrolling history of the railroad in Wilmington. Starting with the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Company in 1834, the episode weaves through the next century of local challengers, mergers and an in-depth look at the incredible scale of the railroad’s local presence. Joining the episode is special guest Holli Saperstein, the executive director of the Wilmington Railroad Museum. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Building a Great Railroad: A History of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company," by Glenn Hoffman "Wilmington: Lost But Not Forgotten," by Beverly Tetterton Wilmington Morning Star, Dec. 16, 1955 Wilmington Railroad Museum exhibits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 80 years, Wilmington had the ultimate icon of the holidays right in its backyard. The World's Largest Living Christmas attracted tens of thousands of visitors every year to marvel at its height and outstretching branches, draped in lights and ornaments galore. The tree was centerpiece of the holidays for the Cape Fear, and it's service to the community traces through World War II, the mid-century prosperity, the Christmas tree competition of the 1980s and the changing relationship between Wilmington residents and its public places. This week, we look at how the tree came to be, what happen that drew in its devoted fans and why it is gone? We will also share new information about the latest effort to recreate the community symbol of the World's Largest Living Christmas. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Stories Old and New of the Cape Fear Region," by Louis T. Moore "O Christmas Tree," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. for Salt Magazine (Nov. 30, 2018) Wilmington Morning Star editions, 1928-2015 "The State" magazine, Dec. 21, 1946, pgs. 8-9 "History of Christmas Trees," by HISTORY editors, https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the morning of Nov. 11, 1898, Wilmington was a city in shock. The day prior, chaos reigned on the streets when a mob of armed white supremacists unleashed intimidation, threats and gunfire on the Black residents of Wilmington. In the third episode of "Unearthing 1898," host Hunter Ingram and guests look at Wilmington in the days and years after Nov. 10, 1898. What happened to the Black residents who fled or were banished from the city, many of them spending days hidden in fear in Wilmington swamps and cemeteries? How did the newly seized local government respond to the day of violence and attempt to restore order in an unruly city? And how did the events of 1898 lead to widespread legislative, economic, culture and societal changes that persisted throughout the state for decades and are still being dealt with today. Joining the episode are LeRae Umfleet, the author of "A Day of Blood" and lead research of North Carolina's commission on 1898; Cynthia Brown, historian of St. Stephens AME Church in Wilmington; and David Cecelski, historian and co-author of "Democracy Betrayed." Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "A Day of Blood: The 1898 Wilmington Race Riot," by LeRae Umfleet "Wilmington's Life: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy," by David Zucchino "Democracy Betrayed," edited by David Cecelski and Timothy Tyson. "Wilmington on Fire" (2015, dir. Christopher Everett Wilmington Massacre and Coup d'état of 1898 (an interactive timeline exhibit), CapeFearMuseum.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the morning of Nov. 10, 1898, hell jolted loose in Wilmington, as it was later described. Chaos filled the streets as a mob of armed white men swept across the city, burning The Daily Record  In the second episode of "Unearthing 1898," host Hunter Ingram and guests look at Wilmington on Nov. 10, 1898, from sunup to sundown. How did the day of violence and fear begin and how did the agenda of white supremacy sweep across Wilmington? What actions were taken by the white residents of the city and what horrors were its Black residents forced to endure? Joining the episode are LeRae Umfleet, the author of "A Day of Blood" and lead research of North Carolina's commission on 1898; David Zucchino, author of "Wilmington's Lie;" and Christopher Everett, director of "Wilmington on Fire." Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "A Day of Blood: The 1898 Wilmington Race Riot," by LeRae Umfleet "Wilmington's Life: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy," by David Zucchino "Democracy Betrayed," edited by David Cecelski and Timothy Tyson. "Wilmington on Fire" (2015, dir. Christopher Everett Wilmington Massacre and Coup d'état of 1898 Timeline of Events, CapeFearMuseum.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the morning of Nov. 10, 1898, Wilmington awoke to violence in the streets. A white supremacist mob had started the morning by marching through the city, burning a Black-run newspaper and eventually killing Black citizens in the streets before overthrowing the local government. But to understand the truly horrific motivations behind the 1898 Wilmington Massacre, we have to first explore what set the stage for it. In the first episode of "Unearthing 1898," host Hunter Ingram and guests look at Wilmington from the end of the Civil War through the Election of 1898, exploring how the city became a majority Black community, why it was an example of racial progress in the country, how a political shift in power terrified white Democrats desperate to hold onto control, and the ways they set in motion a plan to steal that power back through duplicitous and downright murderous means. Joining the episode are LeRae Umfleet, the author of "A Day of Blood" and lead research of North Carolina's commission on 1898; Jan Davidson, historian of the Cape Fear Museum; and Chris E. Fonvielle Jr., a historian and author. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "A Day of Blood: The 1898 Wilmington Race Riot," by LeRae Umfleet "Wilmington's Life: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy," by David Zucchino "Democracy Betrayed," edited by David Cecelski and Timothy Tyson. "Wilmington on Fire" (2015, dir. Christopher Everett Wilmington Massacre and Coup d'état of 1898 Timeline of Events, CapeFearMuseum.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lula's Pub is a downtown Wilmington bar beloved for its underground aesthetic, its low-key atmosphere and its ghost story, which tells of a former slave killed on the property who now greets guests in mirrors or dark corners. Venture down a dark, cramped hallway and into this subterranean hideaway that's lit with string lights and neon signs. It's a small communal space, but it's legend of the man who haunts the property is one that has stood the test of time. Still, it begs the question, is the story of Cooter true? And what strange encounters have happened on the property, itself a story of historic progress in downtown Wilmington? We tell the story of Cooter and the property in this week's installment of A Cape Fear Unearthed Halloween.  Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Pub Crawl Wilmington," Wilmington.Tours app by Java Dog Press "Ghosts of Old Wilmington," by John Hirchak Wilmington Morning Star articles See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzie Turlington was a promising leader in North Carolina's deaf mute community in 1886 when she was murdered in the woods outside of Raleigh. The Wilmington native was shot once in the head by the man who had taken her for a leisurely ride that Friday afternoon in December – her fiancé Walter Bingham. Turlington's story became famous as the manhunt for Bingham unfolded into the new year, one in which they were supposed to get married. But it became infamous when his name was engraved on her gravestone at Wilmington's Oakdale Cemetery, under the words "Murdered By." This week's return of A Cape Fear Unearthed Halloween revisits the murder that shocked North Carolina 134 years ago. Who were Turlington and Bingham? What happened on that lonely road outside Raleigh on Dec. 17, 1886? Why did her family want to etch their fateful encounter into stone forever? WARNING: This episode includes some graphic details that may not be suitable for young listeners. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: Wilmington Morning Star editions from Dec. 1886-Mar. 1891 "Is There Any Connection Between Deaf-Mutism and Insanity? The Case of Walter L. Bingham," by Dr. Eugene Grissom, American Journal of Insanity, Vol. 44, Issue 2, Oct. 1887 Raleigh Weekly Chronicle, Jan. 1887 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1791, George Washington, just two years into his presidency, set out on a tour of the Southern States. Nearly 120 years later, William Howard Taft celebrated his first year in office with a tour of 33 states and territories. On each trip, the presidents took time to stop into Wilmington, where they were welcomed with massive celebrations and enthusiastic citizens. Three other presidents – James Monroe, James K. Polk and Millard Fillmore – also made stops into Wilmington during or immediately after their terms in offices. Ahead of the upcoming presidential election on Nov. 3, this episode of Cape Fear Unearthed dives deep into each of these five historic visits from the presidents of the United States of America. What brought them here? What did the city have planned for each of their visits? And what did their journeys to Wilmington say about the time in which they served as commander in chief? As the nation prepares to head to the polls in November, please make sure that you are registered to vote. Visit Vote.gov to learn how and to find your polling place. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Chronicles of the Cape Fear River: 1662-1916," by James Sprunt "Presidents who have visited Wilmington, N.C.: Washington, Monroe, Polk, Fillmore, Taft" (souvenir booklet), by Iredell Meares (1909) Wilmington Morning Star editions from November 1909 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frying Pan Tower was once the first light of the Cape Fear, serving as a light station 32 miles off the coast of Southeastern North Carolina to warn mariners of the dangers of Frying Pan Shoals. Today, it has been retired by the U.S. Coast Guard and is well past its prime, but a group of owners and volunteers are working against rust and time to preserve and restore it for the future. This special episode was recorded live on deck of Frying Pan Tower, featuring a interview with former owner and current non-profit director Richard Neal, who talks about buying the tower a decade ago, how they are working to preserve the structure and what life is like on the 135-foot tower. To donate or register to volunteer at Frying Pan Tower, visit FPTower.org. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "Cap'n Charlie and Lights of the Lower Cape Fear," by Ethel Herring "North Carolina Lighthouses," by Cheryl Shelton-Roberts and Bruce Roberts Historic information provided by FPTower.org See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

As Confederate monuments come down across the country, the historic Bellamy Mansion’s intertwined stories of Southern prosperity and slavery have only invited more questions about the history of the 160-year-old Wilmington residence and what it has to say about the city’s past and present. This week’s episode of the Cape Fear Unearthed local history podcast digs deep into those questions with an exploration of its defining family and their ties to the Confederacy; the experiences of the Black men and women, both enslaved and free, who built and ran the house; and what role the mansion now plays in the conversations of race and politics. Joining this extended episode are Bellamy Mansion Museum director Gareth Evans and operations manager/site historian Leslie Randle-Morton, who talk about the history of the house after the war, the involvement of the Bellamys in politics and major events like the 1898 Wilmington Coup, and why the house can be such a valuable resource today, especially in 2020. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources "The Bellamy Mansion: An Antebellum Architectural Treasure and Its People," by Catherine Bishir "Back with the Tide," by Ellen Bellamy Bellamy Mansion Museum online resources, including "The People" and "The Place" See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.

The Women's Suffrage Movement was fought city by city, league by league for nearly eight decades. Changing the country's mind on what role women should play in society was never going to be an easy fight, but for years, the suffragettes at the center of the movement persisted. On August 18, 1920, their work paid off when the 19th Amendment was ratified and women officially got the right to vote. In an eleventh hour turn of events, North Carolina played a role in those final days of the fight – by voting down the amendment. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of this victory, this episode of Cape Fear Unearthed features a special conversation with Cape Fear Museum historian Jan Davidson about the movement. What fueled it, how did divergent ideas of womanhood threaten it and what role did North Carolina come to play in it on the eve of the passage of the 19th Amendment. While not always perfect in its pursuit, the Women’s Suffrage movement was intimately tied to the racial politics of post-Civil War America, and would become a model for the future fight to secure every American the right to vote. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: "The Women's Suffrage Movement in North Carolina: Parts 1 & 2" by Elizabeth A. Taylor, North Carolina Historical Review, January-July 1961 "Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony" (dir. Ken Burns, 1999) "Suffrage: Women's Long Battle for the Vote," by Ellen Carol DuBois

Before it was one of North Carolina’s most desired destinations, the setting of Nicholas Sparks’ “Safe Haven” or a quaint fishing village, Southport was supposed to be the first line of defense for the Cape Fear. The land that would become the Brunswick County getaway was originally designated as Fort Johnston in the 1740s, intended to protect the growing ports of Brunswick Town and Wilmington from Britain’s enemies.But the fort’s mighty vision never came to be. In this episode, we look at how, from that unrealized dream, a town blossomed around the remains of the fort after the Revolutionary War and grew into a popular respite for Wilmington’s residents. Over time and through at least three major wars, the community flourished into the town of Smithville, later renamed Southport in 1887 to try and court business and railroad attention flocking to Wilmington – all while remain a linchpin in the region. Joining the episode is Pat Kirkman, a 24-year member of the Southport Historical Society. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: - "Jacob's Dream: The Town With Two Names," by Susan Carson - "Southport (Smithville): A Chronology, Vols. I-IV," by Bill Reaves - "Chronicles of the Cape Fear River, 1660-1916 - "A History of Fort Johnston on the Lower Cape Fear River," by Wilson Angley

In June 2020, the city of Wilmington removed two downtown statues to the Confederacy that had been publicly displayed for a century or more. One was a memorial to those soldiers from New Hanover County who fought for the South, the other was a statue to Confederate Attorney General George Davis. But what does the larger community know about the stories behind these monuments, the people they honor and the people who put them there? This week’s episode of the Cape Fear Unearthed local history podcast attempts to shed some light on those questions by looking at the controversial life of Davis, whose accolades made the inscription of his monument but not his public support of slavery. It also examines the story of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which sought to help the widows of fallen Southern soldiers before transitioning into more questionable influences on public education and historical record. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy. Sources: - "George Davis, North Carolina Whig and Confederate Statesman," by Fletcher M. Green, North Carolina Historical Review, October 1946 - "Chronicles of the Cape Fear River: 1661-1916," by James Sprunt - "Land of the Golden River, Vol. 2-3," by Lewis Phillip Hall - The Daily Journal, March 1861 editions - "The History of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Vol. 1894-1929," by Mary B. Poppenheim and others  - DocSouth monument entries for the Confederate Memorial and George Davis statues

Seven years before the Boston Tea Party and a decade before the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, the residents of the Cape Fear launched one of the earliest armed revolts against the British crown. With the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765, the colonists in Southeastern North Carolina decided enough was enough with the oppressive British rule. They staged massive protests in the streets in Wilmington and ultimately led an armed revolt against the Royal Authority in Brunswick Town, an early act of sedition that would grow to inspire a full revolution. In this special Cape Fear Unearthed conversation timed with July 4th, host Hunter Ingram and Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site manager Jim McKee recount the Stamp Act rebellion, addressing why the Cape Fear became the epicenter of the resistance and how the act of protesting was as innately American then as it is in 2020. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Phramacy.

Althea Gibson was considered the greatest tennis player in the world in the 1950s after becoming the first Black person to win Wimbledon. Breaking barriers on the world's stage was a long way from the streets of Harlem where she grew up and the backyard tennis court in Wilmington she practiced on as a young woman. While in Wilmington, Althea would face the injustice of segregation and the hurdles of inequality, but she never let it stop her from striving to be the best in a sport she was born to play. This week's super-sized episode explores Althea's life and legacy, from her childhood as a street kid, to her days dominating the sports world, to the late-in-life struggle to survive after her community turned its back on her. Joining the episode is special guest Lenny Simpson, a former professional tennis player who was coached and mentored by Althea as a young man. Today, he is the founder of One Love Tennis in Wilmington. In an extended interview, Lenny talks about his memories of the player and person Althea was, the struggles she faced and how she changed the game for every Black athlete that followed her. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: - "Born to Win: The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson," by Frances Clayton Gray - "I Always Wanted to Be Somebody," by Althea Gibson - "Althea" (dir. Rex Miller), 2014, PBS

In 1744, Wilmington's first jail was commissioned at the prominent corner of Third and Market streets in the heart of the still-growing downtown. It was a highly visible site for the crude colonial justice system to enact an array of punishments for the entire town to watch. But in 1770, influential planter and merchant John Burgwin bought the property, on which he built a massive home right on top of the remains of the jail. Since then, the Burgwin-Wright House, which celebrates its 250th birthday this year, has weathered two major wars, countless hurricanes and two centuries of cultural shifts to survive as one of Wilmington's last remaining colonial-era structures. In this episode, we journey back to look at the role of the jail and Britain's influence in early Wilmington; why Burgwin built his eye-catching manor on jail cells; why his influence in the Cape Fear put him at the center of the coming revolution; and how a visit from a famous British general and a group of passionate history-loving women helped save the home from demolition. Joining the episode to discuss these questions and more is Christine Lamberton, the director of the Burgwin-Wright House and Gardens museum. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: - Burgwin-Wright House history, provided by Christine Lamberton - "The Burgwin-Wright House," Lower Cape Fear Historical Society bulletin, Feb. 1979 - "A History Lover's Guide to Wilmington & The Lower Cape Fear," by Jack Fryar Jr. - Wilmington StarNews archives

When the United States was finally pulled into World War II, the city was already hard at work churning out warships on the banks of the Cape Fear River. During the war, the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company would churned out 243 warships, employing more than 20,000 workers and turning the city into a wartime manufacturing hub. Up the road at Camp Davis, the WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots) arrived in 1943 with game-changing mission that would change female aviation forever. In this special episode timed with the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, we will revisit both of these stories and their enduring legacies, which capture the service and sacrifice of the Cape Fear region. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: – "The Wilmington Shipyard: Welding a Fleet for Victory in World War II," by Ralph Scott – "A Sentimental Journey: Memories of a Wartime Boomtown," by Wilbur Jones Jr. – "Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of WWII" exhibit, National Women's History Museum, www.womenshistory.org – Fort Fisher State Historic Site World War II research – Wilmington Morning Star editions, 1941-1946

In its milestone 50th episode, Cape Fear Unearthed ventures into some of the most beautiful and historic places in the region with a look at the cemeteries and graveyards of the Cape Fear. Learn about the origins of and notable residents within burial grounds like Oakdale Cemetery, Bellevue Cemetery, Pine Forest Cemetery, St. James Episcopal Church graveyard and the burial ground at Brunswick Town's St. Philips Church. They are hardly the only cemeteries and graveyards in the region, but they are the historic grounds that hold some of the area's most fascinating history. Joining the conversation is Eric Kozen, superintendent of Oakdale Cemetery, who discusses how burial grounds chart the evolution of the region, why Oakdale was so vital to Wilmington's growth and why cultural changes have shifted how we relate to cemeteries over time. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: – History of Oakdale Cemetery, by Janet Seapker. https://www.oakdalecemetery.org/history-of-oakdale-cemetery/ – "Wilmington: Lost but Not Forgotten," by Beverly Tetterton – History of St. James Parish, https://www.stjamesp.org/history/ – Archive materials from the New Hanover County Library's NC Room

In the fall of 1918, Wilmington's attention was on the frontlines of World War I overseas. But without realizing it, a deadly enemy managed to sneak in undetected. By the time the first case of Spanish influenza was reported in Wilmington, transmission was already widespread. One hundred cases spiraled into 500 and later more than 5,000. The city and the country ground to a halt as officials tried to stop the spread of the virus. If this is all sounding a little too familiar, that's because the response to the influenza in 1918 is not unlike what we are dealing with today as the country grapples with the spread of the coronavirus. With North Carolina under lockdown through April and so many people now isolated in their homes, we take a look back at the rise of the 1918 flu, how it was handled, what can be learned from the most worst pandemic in modern history and how it brought the Cape Fear to its knees. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: -- "Invisible Enemy," 8-part series by Cheryl Welch, StarNews, 2006 -- "A Study of Deaths in Wilmington During the 1918 Spanish Influenza" study, Cape Fear Community College -- "A Blessing in Disguise: The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and North Carolina's Medical and Public Health Communities," by David Cockrell, North Carolina Historical Review, Vol. 73, July 1996 -- "Silent Holocaust: The Influenza Epidemic of 1918-19 and its Effects on Wilmington, North Carolina," by William Jackson Green, Lower Cape Fear Historical Society Bulletin, October 1991  -- Wilmington Morning Star articles, September 1918 - March 1919

History is often viewed through the lens of the accomplishments of men. But it is women who have provided the backbone for communities all over the world. That is no different in the Cape Fear region. With Women’s History Month in full swing, the Cape Fear Unearthed local history podcast is turning its attention to the lives of women who helped define and redefine progress in Southeastern North Carolina. Joining this week’s special episode is Cape Fear Museum historian Jan Davidson, who stops by to share the stories of several women who made incredible strides in politics, education and the community as a whole in the 20th century. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: -- Cape Fear Museum archives, including photos and research from Jan Davidson -- Wilmington Morning Star archive editions

When America went to war to fight for its independence, it was a nation of immigrants. Among those disparate groups looking for opportunity in the new country were the Highland Scots, thousands of which made the journey after being forced out of their homeland. In the Cape Fear region, they found an abundance of land, the chance to build a new life and the rumblings of a war that would redefine their history forever. This week's episode explores the history of the Highland Scots, why they fled to America, how they forged a life in Southeastern North Carolina, why the Revolutionary War turned their new lives upside down and how they built a legacy that still survives today. Joining the episode is Kimberly Sherman, a historian, writer and lecturer at Cape Fear Community College. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: -- "The Highland Scots of North Carolina: 1732-1776," by Duane Meyer -- "Thistle Among the Pines: Flora MacDonald and the Highland Scots of the Cape Fear," by Kimberly Sherman, Salt Magazine -- "Migration, Settlement and Revolution: The Highland Scots in the Cape Fear Region of colonial North Carolina," by Roy Charles Garrison

How did a flag from Fort Anderson in the Cape Fear make it all the way to Washington, D.C. and become the inciting factor in a chance encounter between President Abraham Lincoln and his eventual assassin John Wilkes Booth? In this special companion episode to our look at the history of Fort Anderson in the Civil War, host Hunter Ingram and special guests Jim McKee and Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. tell the story of the famous flag and why some historians believe it could have changed the course of American history forever. McKee is the site manager of the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, and Fonvielle is a local historian and author of the book "To Forge a Thunderbolt: Fort Anderson and the Battle for Wilmington." Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning.

By February 1865, the only thing that stood between Wilmington and the Union navy advancing up the Cape Fear River was Fort Anderson. Built upon the ruins of Brunswick Town, the region’s first permanent settlement, the fort was initially manned by a garrison of a few hundred men through the Civil War. But after Fort Fisher fell in January 1865, upwards of 2,000 Confederate soldiers funneled into the fort to prepare a last-ditch effort to stop the Federals from taking the South’s supply center in Wilmington. This week, we discuss how the fort was constructed from the bones of the birthplace of the Cape Fear region as we know it and what role it played when it ultimately fell Joining the episode are special guests Jim McKee, the site manager of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, and Chris E. Fonvielle Jr., a local historian and author of “To Forge a Thunderbolt: Fort Anderson and the Battle for Wilmington.” Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: -- "To Forge a Thunderbolt: Fort Anderson and the Battle for Wilmington," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. -- "A Nice Little Fight at Fort Anderson," by Stanley South -- "Chronicles of the Cape Fear River: 1660-1916," by James Sprunt -- "The Story of Brunswick Town & Fort Anderson," by Franda Pedlow

In 1934, Wrightsville Beach was on a high from nearly three decades of immense growth. Massive hotels like The Oceanic brought in tourists, and venues like the famed Lumina Pavilion entertained them, as well as local residents, when they weren’t on the beach. Even the Great Depression hadn’t completely dampened the spirit. It all seemed indestructible until a fire on Jan. 28, 1934, wiped out the entire north end of the island and threatened the beach’s livelihood in a matter of hours. This week on the show, we talk about Wrightsville Beach's history up to the fire, why it was such a landmark moment for the town and how it thrust the tourist destination into a whole new era. Joining the conversation is Madeline Flagler, executive director of the Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry and Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning. Sources: -- "Land of the Golden River, Vol. 1" by Lewis Phillip Hall -- "Historical Narrative 1841-1972 of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina," by Rupert Benson -- "Wrightsville Beach: The Luminous Island," by Ray McAllister -- Wrightsville Beach Museum of History, wbmuseumofhistory.com -- Wilmington Morning Star Editions, January to February 1934