Historic District in Wilmington in New Hanover County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Williams-Holladay House
1889-1890
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024
1. Williams-Holladay House Marker
Henry D. Sampson, Contractor, 1889
John C. Stout, Contractor, 1890
Queen Anne style house built for George W. Williams (1834-1899) as residence for his daughter, Maggie M. Holladay (1865-1889). Her husband William W. Holladay (1865-1940), native of Richmond, VA, designed the elevations of the house. Mrs. Holladay died before the house was completed.
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 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 34° 14.034′ N, 77° 56.656′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on South 4th Street south of Dock Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 S 4th 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: Jones-Mitchell House (a few steps from this marker); William A. French House (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams-Belden House
this page online
Regarding Williams-Holladay House. Margaret Murchison Maggie Williams Holladay died on Sept. 21, 1889, three weeks after giving birth to her second daughter. The house was finished a few weeks later, and her grieving husband William and their two young daughters moved in. According to local lore, reports soon surfaced of a ghostly female figure moving tenderly between the daughters' upstairs bedrooms. Later occupants of the house have also reported hearing toys being dropped in empty rooms and being watched by the apparition as they decorated their Christmas trees. Legend has it that it is the ghost of Maggie Holladay, who is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington with the words Blessed are the pure in heart,
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024
2. Williams-Holladay House Marker
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 12, 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 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
