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

Fire Station No. 5

1931

— Lynch and Foard, architects / U.A. Underwood, contractor —

Fire Station No. 5 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

1. Fire Station No. 5 Marker

Inscription. Spanish Colonial style building constructed during the Great Depression to relieve unemployment and provide taxpayers a needed fire station at a low cost because building materials were inexpensive. At the time, the mayor was W.H. Blair, the public works commissioners were W.L. Fisher and J.E.L. (“Hi Buddy”) Wade and Charles Schnibben was the fire chief. Private residence since 1995.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work. 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 1931.

Location. 34° 14.152′ N, 77° 55.637′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is at the intersection of Wrightsville Avenue and South 17th Street, on the right when traveling east on Wrightsville Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1702 Wrightsville Ave, Wilmington NC 28403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Wallace-Vanlandingham House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lacy-Hunnicutt House (about 500 feet away); Blitchington-Smith House (about 600 feet away); Freeman-Peders House (about 600 feet away); Muse-Winn House (about 600 feet away); Woodcock House (about 600 feet away); Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away); Foltz-Gibson (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding Fire Station No. 5. • Charles Schnibben emigrated from his native Germany when he was about 14 years

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 25, 2024

2. Fire Station No. 5 Marker

old, and soon joined one of Wilmington's volunteer fire brigades. When they were consolidated to form the Wilmington Fire Department in 1897, Schnibben became the city's first paid fire chief. He was beginning his 36th year as chief when Fire Station No. 5 opened on Oct. 1, 1931. He died in the line of duty on June 16, 1933, when the firefighter driving him on a fire call lost control of the chief's car, which hit a curb and overturned three times. Schnibben died of his injuries in the hospital several hours later. He was 66 years old.

• James Edward Lee Wade (1889-1980) was a longtime politician in Wilmington, serving three terms in the state legislature, two stints as Wilmington mayor and 36 years as a city councilman. He greeted everyone he met with the phrase, “Hi Buddy”, hence his nickname.

Also see . . .
1. Fire Station No. 5 (PDF). Historic plaque application/research report contains more information about the station. (Prepared by Edward F. Turberg, 2016; via Port City Architecture collection, New Hanover County Public Library) (Submitted on February 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Westbrook-Ardmore Historic District (PDF).

Former Wilmington Fire Station No. 5 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 25, 2024

3. Former Wilmington Fire Station No. 5

National Register of Historic Places nomination for the district, which includes this site as a contributing property and was listed in 2009. (Prepared by Ed Turberg and Janet Seapker, 2008; via Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.),/small> (Submitted on February 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 12, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.