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

Taylor-Washington House

c. 1903

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Taylor-Washington House Marker

Inscription. Queen Anne style house built as rental property for John E. Taylor (1858-1925), Deputy Collector of US Customs and realtor. Purchased in 1921 by Edward G. Story, real estate developer and insurance broker; and wife, Mary Ellen Noyes. Inherited by daughter, Mildred (1907-1995), wife of Booker T. Washington (1904-1990), principal of Williston Primary School, 1936 to 1951 and Williston High School, 1951 to 1968. Remained in family until 1989.

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 1903.

Location. 34° 14.384′ N, 77° 56.535′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on North 6th Street north of Grace Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 N 6th 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: Thomas C. Miller House (within shouting distance of this marker); Moore-Davis House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Alderman-Johnson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sampson-Johnson House (within shouting distance of this marker); John H. Kuck House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilburn Trask House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Neil M. McEachern House (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding Taylor-Washington House. John E. Taylor was a Howard University graduate and prominent African-American businessman. He was the first African American appointed as Deputy Collector of Customs for the Port of Wilmington, but was forced to resign after white supremacist Democrats violently overthrew the biracial Republican city government. Unlike the majority of African-American Wilmingtonians who fled armed white mobs in terror and never returned to the city, Taylor was able to continue his business career in his hometown.

Also see . . .
1. Wilmington Historic District (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Taylor-Washington House Marker

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 20, 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 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Booker Tecumseh Washington image. Click for full size.

The Willistonian yearbook (1955), Williston Senior High School via Internet Archive (Public Domain), circa 1955

3. Booker Tecumseh Washington

An Alabama native, he graduated from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and began teaching in Wilmington in 1929. He later earned a Master's in education from the University of Pennsylvania and entered the administrative ranks as principal of Gregory Elementary School. He became Williston Senior High School's principal when the school was rebuilt in 1953. He was forced to retire in 1968 shortly before the school board abruptly closed Williston to belatedly comply with desegregation laws.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 331 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 20, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.