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

Bailey House

1926

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

1. Bailey House Marker

Inscription. Colonial Revival style house built for George W. Bailey (1876-1940); and wife, Isabel Roller (1880-1952), natives of Ohio. Bailey came to Wilmington to manage the Academy of Music. He later operated the Carolina, Royal and Bijou motion picture theatres and was namesake of the Bailey Theatre. Isabel Bailey became the president of Wilmington Theatres, Inc. after the death of her husband. Their granddaughter Isabel S. Holmes (1925-1978) was the first woman appointed to the NC Board of Transportation and the first woman appointed as a parole commissioner. The Isabel Stellings Holmes Bridge over the Cape Fear River was named in her honor in 1988. The house remained in the family until 1969.

Erected by Historic Wilmington Foundation, Inc.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina, Historic Wilmington Foundation series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 34° 14.211′ N, 77° 54.912′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in Forest

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Hills. It is at the intersection of Forest Hills Drive and Guilford Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Forest Hills Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 Forest Hills Dr, Wilmington NC 28403, 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,

in the Tidewater,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Copeland House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burnett-Minor House (about 400 feet away); Robert B. Bell House (about 400 feet away); J. Love Davis House (about 400 feet away); Hackler-Burpeau House (about 700 feet

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 25, 2024

2. Bailey House Marker

away); Jones-Stanley House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carroll-Henson House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hildreth House (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Regarding Bailey House. Isabel Holmes served on the N.C. Board of Transportation from July 1973 to June 29, 1974, when she became deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Transportation. After a year in that position, she served on the N.C. Parole Commission from July 1975 to June 1977. All were appointed positions.

Also see . . . Bailey House (PDF). First page of research report on the house, with additional details about its history and owners. Additional pages also were scanned individually. (Prepared in 2019; via Port City Architecture collection, New Hanover County Public Library). (Submitted on February 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

George W. Bailey obituary image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller

3. George W. Bailey obituary

Published in the July 1, 1940 edition of the Wilmington Morning Star.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 92 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 25, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.