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

Swart-Mathis House, est. 1937

Historic Stop on the Forest Hills Walking Tour

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 24, 2024

1. Swart-Mathis House, est. 1937 Marker

Inscription. The Swart-Mathis house is believed to be the first residential home in Wilmington to have central air conditioning. This house is a brick English-Tudor, built in Wilmington's first suburb of Forest Hills. The plot of land was purchased for $1. Dustin RT & Erin Sullivan purchased the home in 2015.

“My father, who was Dutch and suffered from the heat, thought it would be a good idea to install central air-conditioning in his new home built in 1937. I was always told that it was the first residential central air system in Wilmington. It was a water-cooled system and the drainage from the AC ran from a hose into the street. People would frequently stop their cars and knock on the door and tell us that our water was running into the street, and we would explain to them why.” – Mary Ann Swart Spivey (daughter of the original owner, Jacob Swart)

Pictures: Mary Ann Swart and her father Jacob Swart in the front yard. Picture of the home: Taken between 1951 and 1956

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 34° 14.04′ N, 77° 54.763′ W.

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Marker is in Wilmington, North Carolina, in New Hanover County. It is in Forest Hills. It is on Colonial Drive 0.1 miles north of Forest Hills Drive, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 314 Colonial 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: A different marker also named Swart-Mathis House (a few steps from this marker); Hyman-Barefoot House (within shouting distance of this marker); David Jacobi House (within shouting distance

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 25, 2024

2. Swart-Mathis House, est. 1937 Marker

of this marker); Mitchell-Sternberger House (within shouting distance of this marker); Wenberg-Brantley House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thomason House (about 500 feet away); Hackler-Burpeau House (about 600 feet away); Carroll-Henson House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Also see . . . Swart-Mathis House (PDF). Research report with more details about the house, its history and its owners. The report was included in the application for an Historic Wilmington Foundation plaque. (Prepared by Edward F. Turberg, 2016; via Port City Architecture collection, New Hanover County Public Library) (Submitted on February 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 130 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.