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

Miles Costin House

c.1855; 1885

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Miles Costin House Marker

Inscription. Italianate style house built for Miles Costin (c.1800-1873), planter, commission merchant and town commissioner; and wife, Catherine (c. 1809-1874). Mrs. Rob't Ramsom's Female Seminary operated here in 1871. Acquired in 1885 by John Wilder Atkinson (1830-1910), insurance agent; and wife, Elizabeth Maund Land Strange Atkinson (1834-1915). They added Second Empire style mansard roof.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. 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 1855.

Location. 34° 14.087′ N, 77° 56.603′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is at the intersection of South 5th Avenue and Dock Street, on the right when traveling south on South 5th Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 S 5th Ave, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Annie H. Winstead House (within shouting distance of this marker); Frederick W. Dick House (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams House (within shouting distance of this marker); Northrop-Graham House (within shouting distance of this marker); Westerman House (within shouting distance of this marker); John Hanby House (within shouting distance of this marker); Howard Hanby House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edward E. David 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 24, 2024

2. Miles Costin House Marker

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 17, 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 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Eclectic Excellence. [The current owners] fell in love with the 6,840 square-foot structure, one of Wilmington’s 1855 grand homes built of Italianate style for merchant and town commissioner Miles Costin and his wife. It was designed by architect James F. Post, who also designed Latimer House, Bellamy Mansion and Thalian Hall. (Amanda Lisk, Wrightsville Beach Magazine, April 27, 2023) (Submitted on January 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.