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

Kenly-Whitehead House

c. 1892

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Kenly-Whitehead House Marker

Inscription. Queen Anne style house built for John Reese Kenly (1847-1928), native of Baltimore, MD, president of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad; and wife, Emma G. Warfield (d. -1904). Purchased in 1943 by Lita Larkins Whitehead (1885-1961), whose son William A. Whitehead (1908-1986), artist and professional actor, retired here. Remained in family until 1987.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. 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 1892.

Location. 34° 13.818′ N, 77° 56.713′ 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) north of Church Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 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: Peyton Hoge House (a few steps from this marker); Gregory Normal Institute (a few steps from this marker); Holladay-Whitehead House (a few steps from

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this marker); Edward B. Dudley (within shouting distance of this marker); Allen-Woodward House (within shouting distance of this marker); William B. McKoy House (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles W. Worth House (within shouting distance of this marker); James Sprunt (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 8, 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 Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on January 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Kenly-Whitehead House Marker

3. John R. Kenly, Head of Atlantic Coast Line, Dies. Obituary published in the March 10, 1928 issue of Railway Age magazine. (Submitted on January 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

John Reese Kenly (1847-1928) image. Click for full size.

Railway Age magazine, March 10, 1928; via Internet Archive (Public Domain)

3. John Reese Kenly (1847-1928)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 105 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.