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

Polvogt Row Houses

1914-1915

— Renovation, 1983 —

Polvogt Row Houses Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Polvogt Row Houses Marker

Inscription. Begun in 1914 and finished in 1915, the nine-unit apartment building was constructed as investment property for Carl W. Polvogt (1865-1929), dry goods merchant; and wife, Mary Augusta Lessman (1867-1949). Wilmington's only existing row houses were renovated in 1983 by Northside Properties and renamed Victoria Condominiums in 1989. Home of Bob Jenkins (1935-2018), native of Sneads Ferry, NC, missionary in Africa, interior designer, tour guide and pioneer historic preservationist.

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 1915.

Location. 34° 14.341′ N, 77° 56.4′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on McRae Street south of Grace Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 McRae 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: Altaffer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Everett-Bissinger House (within shouting distance

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of this marker); Currie-Boon House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burns-Huggins House (about 300 feet away); Eckel-Spillman Cottage (about 300 feet away); Orrell House (about 300 feet away); Fennell-Crump House (about 400 feet away); Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church (about 400 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 24, 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 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Polvogt Row Houses Marker

Polvogt Apartments news item image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

3. Polvogt Apartments news item

Published in the July 26, 1915 edition of The Evening Dispatch in Wilmington.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.