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

Snell House

c. 1933

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 23, 2024

1. Snell House Marker

Inscription. Craftsman style bungalow built as investment property for Lena Sobel Block (1882-1952), native of Stavisky, Empire of Russia; and husband, William Block (1874-1954), native of Riga, Russia, manager Southland Manufacturing Co. Purchased in 1942 by Paul Snell (1894-1961), native of High Point, NC, dredging engineer U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and wife, Annie St. George (1889-1977), native of Fayetteville, NC. Remained in family for twenty-six 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 1933.

Location. 34° 14.374′ N, 77° 55.818′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is on North 15th Street north of Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 206 N 15th St, Wilmington NC 28401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

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: Evans House (within shouting distance of this marker); McCabe-Bellamy House (within shouting distance of this marker); Warren S. Johnson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Smith-Longley House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Windley House (about 300 feet away); Calder-Stevens Bungalow (about 400 feet away); Kuhlken-Hanby House (about 400 feet away); Love-Pretlow House (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . .
1. Carolina Heights Historic District (PDF).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

2. Snell House Marker

National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this property as contributing and was listed in 1999. (Prepared by Beth Keane; via National Archives)< (Submitted on January 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Can't Fade. No stranger to hard work, William Block was only 13 years old in 1890 when he immigrated to Baltimore from Riga, Latvia, where his mother operated a shirt-making business. (Isabel Zermani, Salt Magazine) (Submitted on January 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. Tales of a Shirtmaker: A Jewish Upbringing in North Carolina. Stories and recollections of Frederick L. Block, grandson of shirt manufacturer Southland Manufacturing Co. founder William Block, as told to Susan Taylor Block. (Via Internet Archive) (Submitted on January 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

William Block image. Click for full size.

Tales of a Shirtmaker: ..., Frederick L. Block & Susan Taylor Block, 2005 (CC BY 3.0), circa 1945

3. William Block

An immigrant from present-day Latvia, he founded the Southland Manufacturing Co., the largest shirt manufacturer in the southern U.S.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on January 28, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.