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

Eaton House

1929

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Eaton House Marker

Inscription. Craftsman style bungalow built as rental property for George C. Jackson (1868-1932), sheriff. Purchased in 1945 by Dr. Hubert A. Eaton (1916-1991), native of Fayetteville, physician, civil rights activist; and wife, Celeste Marie Burnett (1919-1972). The Eatons made additions on both sides of the house and constructed a clay tennis court. Althea Gibson (1927-2003), world champion professional tennis player and golfer, winner of multiple Wimbledon and U.S. Open championships, lived in the Eaton home while receiving tennis training and attending Williston High School. The house remained in the family for fifty-nine years.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Sports. 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 1929.

Location. 34° 14.05′ N, 77° 55.849′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on Orange

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Street east of South 14th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1406 Orange 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: Dr. Hubert Eaton House (a few steps from this marker); Johnson Jones Hooper (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oakdale Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Holloway-Hunt House (approx. 0.2 miles away); John C. Wessell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Strauss House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hutaff House (approx. ¼ mile away); Wilmington College

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. Eaton House Marker

(approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Westbrook-Ardmore Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which includes this property and was listed in 2009. (Prepared by Ed Turberg and Janet Seapker; via Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.) (Submitted on December 15, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Althea. Though a talented tennis player, Gibson was a street kid who lacked the genteel manner associated with the sport. It was under the tutelage of Dr. Hubert Eaton of Wilmington, NC and Dr. Robert W. Johnson of Lynchburg, VA, two African American physicians who loved tennis and helped young African Americans who wanted to play, that she flourished. (PBS-TV, "American Masters", Sept. 9, 2015) (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 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.