Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Vance Alley

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

1. Vance Alley Marker

Inscription.
Named for Samuel Vance (d. 1805), a merchant who owned the property on the south side of the alley. His widow, Mary Walker Vance (1786-1820), operated a boarding house here, “a mecca for young immigrants from the north.” Inherited by daughter, Jane Vance (1792-1835), consort of Platt K. Dickinson (1794-1867), native of New York, lumber merchant and a founding director of the Wilmington & Weldon, first railroad in North Carolina. In the early 20th century dry goods stores replaced residences along N. Front Street. This plaque was done in conjunction with Wilmington Downtown, Inc.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.; and Wilmington Downtown, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 34° 14.292′ N, 77° 56.932′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. Marker is on North Front Street north of Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted in window at west entrance to Vance Alley. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 310 North Front Street, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker

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. I. Shrier Lyceum Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bijou Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); Peterson & Rulfs Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Shrier Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Murchison National Bank Building (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Post Office & Federal Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Park Avenue — Post Office Alley (about 400 feet away); Cape Fear Club (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. From 'dark passageway' to 'urban showpiece'.

Alleys in downtown Wilmington could soon be getting a facelift. The goal is to transform Wilmington's alleys, by creating “an urban showpiece instead of a dark passageway between buildings," said Holly Childs, the president of Wilmington Downtown Inc. Vance Alley will serve as the pilot project. The alley runs alongside the Gaylord Building in downtown Wilmington.

(Submitted on June 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Wilmington and Weldon Railroad.

Originally chartered as the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad in 1834. When it opened in 1840, the line was the longest railroad in the world with 161.5 miles of track. At its terminus in Weldon, North Carolina,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 15, 2023

2. Vance Alley
(looking east from North Front Street • marker is on the left)
it connected with the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad (to Portsmouth, Virginia) and the Petersburg Railroad (to Petersburg, Virginia). During the American Civil War, the railroad was used heavily by the Confederacy for transporting troops and supplies. The cities of Wilmington and Goldsboro fell in 1865 at the end of the war, and the railroad was badly damaged.

(Submitted on June 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 95 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.