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

Dosher-Brown House

1916

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Dosher-Brown House Marker

Inscription. Craftsman style bungalow built for Wilbur Randall Dosher (1881-1960), plumber, WWI veteran, county commissioner and postmaster; and wife, Frances Gardner (1886-1960). Purchased in 1927 by John Raymond Brown (1903-1993), automotive mechanic and service manager; and wife, Ethel Batson (1903-1991). The house remained in the family for fifty-four years.

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 1916.

Location. 34° 13.75′ N, 77° 56.565′ 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 Church Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 S 5th Ave, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s

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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: Burriss-Meier House (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrie Hardy Gardner House (within shouting distance of this marker); Brady House (within shouting distance of this marker); Simmons House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Canady House & Store (about 300 feet away); Eakins House (about 300 feet away); Worth-Madden House (about 300 feet away); Charlie Jones Soong (about 300 feet away). 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Dosher-Brown House Marker

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 expounded on and 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. Wilbur Randall Dosher
Biography from “A Biographical Dictionary of New Hanover County, NC Commissioners”, published by the New Hanover County Public Library (2010):

A native of Southport, NC, Wilbur Randall Dosher was born on 22 September 1881, the son of William Sterling Dosher and Mary Price Dosher of French and English ancestry. At an early age, he came to Wilmington and was employed in the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Shops,
A Biographical Dictionary of New Hanover County, NC Commissioners, New Hanover Co. Pub. Library (Public Domain)

3. Wilbur Randall Dosher
He was a New Hanover County Commissioner from 1920 to 1930, resigning when he became a state senator.
where he learned the trades of pipe fitting and copper smithing. After a decade at the railroad, he opened his own plumbing business which he operated from 1908 until 1934.

In April 1917, he enlisted in the army and was assigned to the Second North Carolina Regiment. He was sent to Goldsboro where he was transferred to Company C, 115 Machine Gun Regiment and where he was commissioned a lieutenant. He was discharged in 1918.

He married Frances Gardner (1886-1960) on 26 June 1907 and they had two sons. He was an active member of Fifth Avenue Methodist Church, serving on the official board and as choir director. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Boys Brigade Club, St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A.F. & A.M., Elks Club, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the New Hanover Fishing Club. He was a trustee of Wilmington College.

In 1920, Dosher was elected to the Board of Commissioners and held this position until he resigned in 1930 to become a senator from New Hanover County in the North Carolina Legislature. While in the legislature, he was the sponsor of a bill which created a board of examiners for those wishing to practice plumbing and
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heating in North Carolina. He was appointed Postmaster of the City of Wilmington on 1 January 1934, upon the recommendation of then Congressman J. Bard Clark. He retired as postmaster in 1952.

He died 26 March 1960 and 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 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.