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

J.W. Murchison House

1886

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. J.W. Murchison House Marker

Inscription. French Eclectic style house built for Joel Williams Murchison (1853-1926), founder of J.W. Murchison Co., wholesale hardware; and wife, Loulie Hay Atkinson (1860-1922), first president of the Ministering Circle, a women's organization that promotes health and welfare in the Port City. Front and south porches removed c. 1933 and current entry added. Since 1974, it has been the residence of George Deanes Gornto; and wife, Mary Frère Murchison, preservationists.

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 1886.

Location. 34° 13.867′ N, 77° 56.745′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on South 3rd Street (Business U.S. 17) south of Ann Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 316 S 3rd 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: Burruss-Poisson House (a few steps from this marker); Strausz-Heide House

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Judah P. Benjamin (within shouting distance of this marker); Wright-Murchison House (within shouting distance of this marker); King-Meares House (within shouting distance of this marker); Peck House (within shouting distance of this marker); Giles House (within shouting distance of this marker); James Hasell (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 January 5, 2025, 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. J.W. Murchison House Marker

Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Joel Williams Murchison (PDF). Short biography in History of North Carolina, Vol. V: North Carolina Biography, published by The Lewis Publishing Company in 1919. (Submitted on January 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

4. The Ministering Circle. Homepage for the charitable organization includes a timeline of its more than a century of service. (Submitted on January 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 5, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.