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

Brink House

c.1874

— John Harriss Howe, builder —

Brink House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 22, 2024

1. Brink House Marker

Inscription. Greek Revival style house built as investment property for Col. Edwin Ralph Brink (1832-1922), native of Albany, NY, Union veteran, postmaster, and New Hanover County Treasurer; and wife, Eliza Jennie Hoffer (1836-1921), native of Carlyle, PA. Purchased in 1890 by original builder John Harriss Howe (1842-1902), noted Black American carpenter and builder; and wife, Mary Jane Thompson (1838-1897). Purchased in 1980 by Historic Wilmington Foundation for preservation purposes.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 34° 13.664′ N, 77° 56.812′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on Castle Street west of South 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this

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postal address: 116 Castle St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain and on the Cape Fear Coast.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Westerman House (a few steps from this marker); Brink-Goodman House (a few steps from this marker); Cook-Carter House (a few steps from this marker); Adelaide P. McClammy House (within shouting distance of this marker); Cook-Matthews House (within shouting distance of this marker); Blake House (within shouting distance of this marker); Reaves-Hayes House (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Reaves House (within shouting

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 22, 2024

2. Brink House Marker

distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 1974. (Prepared by Survey and Planning Unit, North Carolina Division of Archives and History; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Wilmington Historic District Boundary Expansion and Additional Documentation (PDF). National Register nomination that expanded the district in 2003. (Prepared by Sherry Joines Wyatt and L. Robbie King; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on December 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Howe Family (fl. 1850s-1900s). The Howe family of Wilmington, North Carolina, encompassed at least four generations of men of color active in the city’s building trades. Although these men erected many buildings, thus far relatively few have been identified as their work.

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(Catherine W. Bishir, North Carolina Architects & Builders, 2010) (Submitted on December 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.