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

Wilmington Iron Works Machine Shop

c. 1869

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Wilmington Iron Works Machine Shop Marker

Inscription.
Naval stores shed built as investment property by Peter B. Ruffin (1821-1900), native of Hillsborough, NC, merchant. Purchased in 1887 by D.L. Gore (1847-1925) and leased by Robinson & King, commission merchants until 1908. Leased as machine shop by Wilmington Iron Works from 1908 until the company purchased the property in 1929. Remained as iron works for seventy-one years.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 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 1869.

Location. 34° 13.963′ N, 77° 56.943′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in Riverfront. It is at the intersection of Orange Street and South Water Street, on the left when traveling west on Orange Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 S Water St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: What is the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom? (within shouting distance of this marker); William Benjamin Gould: A Brief Biography (within shouting distance of this marker); Underground Railroad Activity in Wilmington, N.C. (within shouting distance of this marker); City Market House 1882 (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Wilmington City Market (within shouting distance of this marker); Mitchell-Anderson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Caldler-Thorpe Warehouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. Wilmington Iron Works Machine Shop Marker

direct line); Dr. Anderson's Office (about 300 feet away). 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 15, 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 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Slag Ladle, About 1840 to 1900. Cape Fear Museum website entry:
The company that came to be known as the Wilmington Iron Works was a fixture of the Wilmington business scene from 1838 until 2000. (Cape Fear Museum) (Submitted on December 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 408 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.