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

Yopp House

c. 1919

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Yopp House Marker

Inscription. Colonial Revival style house built for Walter E. Yopp (1860-1933), funeral director; and wife, Emma H. Donnelly (1872-1955). He was a Wilmington city alderman for fifteen years, a New Hanover County commissioner for twenty years and a trustee of the Fifth Avenue Methodist Church where he was a member for forty years. In 1999 the roof was raised to create a third floor after a fire destroyed the roof, attic and stairway.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics. 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 1919.

Location. 34° 13.813′ N, 77° 56.574′ 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 Nun Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 410 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: Worth-Madden House (a few steps from this marker); Charlie Jones Soong (within shouting distance of this marker); Simmons House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); A.M. Wilson House (within shouting distance of this marker); J.W. Fleet House (within shouting distance of this marker); Willson-Powell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrie Hardy Gardner House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Yopp House Marker

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 19, 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 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Additional commentary.
1. Walter Edward Yopp
Biography from “A Biographical Dictionary of New Hanover County, NC Commissioners”, published by the New Hanover County Public Library (2010):

A native of Wilmington, Walter Edward Yopp was born 20 June 1860, the son of Samuel Larkins Yopp and Georgiana Reeves Yopp. He was educated in the public
A Biographical Dictionary of New Hanover County, NC Commissioners, New Hanover Co. Pub. Library (Public Domain)

3. Walter Edward Yopp
He was a county commissioner from 1912 to 1932.
schools of Wilmington and early in life became associated with his father who was an undertaker. In 1893, he went into business for himself establishing Yopp Funeral Home in the Muegge Building at the corner of Second and Princess Streets. He moved directly across the street at 211 Princess, where he continued his business until his death. The funeral home was operated by the family until the death of his son, Walter E. Yopp, Jr. in 1969.

Yopp married Emma Donnelly (1872-1955) on 29 April 1891, in Fifth Avenue Methodist Church, where he was a trustee and a member for forty years. Two daughters and a son were born to this union.

He held positions with the North Carolina Funeral Directors Association and represented that organization at national conventions on several occasions. He was the founder of the local Junior Order of United American Mechanics; a member of the Wilmington Lodge, A. F. and A. M; the Scottish Rite chapter; Sudan Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Cape Fear Lodge, Woodmen of the World, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Eyota Tribe of Red Men. Also, he was vice-president and director
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of Cooperative Building and Loan Association.

A Democrat, Yopp was on the Wilmington Board of Aldermen, representing the Fourth Ward, for a total of 15 years. He was elected to the Board of County Commissioners in 1912 and served in this position for the next twenty years until defeated for re-election in 1932.

He died 27 September 1933 at his home 410 South Fifth Avenue. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery.

— Submitted January 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 225 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on January 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.