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

Parker-Saunders House

c. 1844

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Parker-Saunders House Marker

Inscription. Greek Revival style house built for John A. Parker (1819-1875), house, sign and ship painter; and wife, M.A. Alway (1826-1861). Owned by Charles H. Robinson (1831-1917), commission merchant; and wife, Elizabeth White (1837-1903) from 1871 to 1904. Woodrow Wilson is reputed to have been a guest in the Robinson house while on vacation from Davidson College. Purchased in 1904 by Marcellus G. Saunders (1872-1951), traveling salesman; and wife, Anne Hankins (1878-1941). Remained in family until 1948.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 34° 13.81′ N, 77° 56.879′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is at the intersection of South Front Street and Nun Street, on the left when traveling south on South Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 S Front 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

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distance of this marker: Residence of Edward B. Dudley (a few steps from this marker); Daggett-Taylor House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley-Chadbourn House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sprunt House (within shouting distance of this marker); Honnet House (within shouting distance of this marker); Forshee-Sprunt House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hansen House (within shouting distance of this marker); Purnell-Empie-Block House (within shouting 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 26, 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 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

2. Parker-Saunders House Marker

3. Woodrow Was Here. After spending his freshman year at Davidson, Woodrow [Wilson] fell ill and returned home to Wilmington to see his parents and often stayed with the Robinsons on his holiday visits for the 10 years the family lived in Wilmington. (William Irvine, Salt magazine) (Submitted on December 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 312 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.