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

Durham-Davis House

1890

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Durham-Davis House Marker

Inscription. Queen Anne style house built for James H. Durham (1849-1922), native of Wayne County, NC, dentist; and wife, Nellie Alston (1857-1884), native of Pittsboro, NC. Purchased in 1923 by Charles B. Davis (1877-1959), clerk with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad; and wife, Bevvie Fales (1888-1965). Remained in family until 1966.

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 1890.

Location. 34° 13.869′ N, 77° 56.58′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on South 5th Avenue south of Ann Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 322 S 5th Ave, 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

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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: Price-Leiner House (within shouting distance of this marker); Runge-Tienken House (within shouting distance of this marker); Stevenson-Grant House (within shouting distance of this marker); Reuben Grant Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Runge-Fales House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowdoin-Marshall House (within shouting distance of this marker); A.M. Wilson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Willson-Powell House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Calling Home: They picked a historic house — or did it pick them?.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Durham-Davis House Marker

The house was built in 1890 by Dr. James H. Durham, a dentist who practiced at 114 Princess St. The Wilmington Messenger printed a happy notice of the move-in day on August 6. A society column from 1905 praises the family and mentions a “dance and bowling party” for his daughter, Miss Nellie, hosted at Lumina on Wrightsville Beach. (Isabel Zermani, Salt Magazine) (Submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. 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 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. 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 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Dr. James Henry Durham I obituary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

3. Dr. James Henry Durham I obituary

Appeared in the Jan. 25, 1922 edition of the Wilmington Morning Star.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.