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

Benjamin F. Penny House

c. 1888

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Benjamin F. Penny House Marker

Inscription. Italianate style town house built for Benjamin Franklin Penny (1844-1918), owner of B.F. Penny & Co., clothiers, Confederate veteran; and wife, Mary Ann Frances Brown (1847-1907). Sold in 1912 to John Ranquill Hanby (1872-1948), owner of Crescent Candy Co., and V.P. of Wilmington Homestead & Loan Assoc.; and wife Josephine Ricketts Sholar (1876-1957). House remained in the Hanby family for 49 years.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. 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 1888.

Location. 34° 14.057′ N, 77° 56.418′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in the Historic District. It is on South 7th Street south of Dock Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 S 7th 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: McEachern-Divine House (a few steps from this marker); Goldie Stein House (within shouting distance of this marker); McLaurin House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Williams-Agostini House (within shouting distance of this marker); Powell-Graham House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sternberger-Small House (about 300 feet away); Fennell-Croom House (about 300 feet away); Williams-Clark House (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 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 23, 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 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Benjamin F. Penny House Marker

Benjamin F. Penny obituary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

3. Benjamin F. Penny obituary

Published in the Feb. 21, 1918 edition of The Morning Star in Wilmington. via DigitalNC)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 120 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 23, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.