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

Col. Walker Taylor House

1898

— Henry Bonitz, architect —

Col. Walker Taylor House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Col. Walker Taylor House Marker

Inscription. Queen Anne style house built for Col. Walker Taylor (1864-1937), owner of insurance agency, civic leader and founder of Brigade Boys Club, and wife, Rose Lilly Cumming (1873-1946). From 1947 to 1986, residence of Lee Porter (1899-1996), native of Lancaster, SC and chief clerk with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and wife, Ethel Orrell (1897-1992). The house was expanded in the Neoclassical Revival style in 1915.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • 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 1898.

Location. 34° 14.149′ N, 77° 56.388′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on Market Street (Business U.S. 17) east of South 7th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 714 Market St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America.

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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,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Wright-Meares House (a few steps from this marker); John N. Maffitt (a few steps from this marker); John Hall House (a few steps from this marker); James F. Shober (within shouting distance of this marker); Grant-Howell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Maunder House (within shouting distance of this marker); DuRant House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Williams-Agostini House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Wilmington Historic District (PDF).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. Col. Walker Taylor House Marker

Marker is by the side door on the left.

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 19, 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 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. The Col. Walker Taylor House. Taylor led the local community and created the Wilmington Boy's Brigade in 1896; he taught in Sunday School when he grew concerned for kids. The darker story of Taylor that the plaque does not cover is his involvement in the 1898 Wilmington Coup. (Chase M. Warchol, Beyond the Plaque project, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, 2024) (Submitted on December 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

4. What Happened in 1898?.

Col. Walker Taylor image. Click for full size.

from The Wilmington Morning Star (Feb. 14, 1946) via Library of Congress (Public Domain)

3. Col. Walker Taylor

Taylor is shown in a full-page advertisement saluting the 50th anniversary of the Boys' Brigade Club, a Christian youth group he founded.

Col. Walker Taylor was the leader of a group called "The Group of Six," which took an active role in the White Supremacy campaign. He was also the commanding officer of the Second Regiment, North Carolina State Guard at Wilmington. Though not involved in the initial violence, his forces took military control of the city on November 10, 1898. (W. T. Schmid, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, 1998) (Submitted on December 19, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on December 10, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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