Military Cutoff bridge to be named after longtime Wilmington businessman

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A bridge in Wilmington will soon be dedicated in honor of a longtime local entrepreneur.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold a dedication ceremony for the Cornelius E. Nixon Bridge on Friday.

The ceremony will take place at Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station Auditorium, located at 502 N. Front Street.

The bridge on Military Cutoff Road over Market Street will be named in honor of Cornelius E. Nixon, a lifelong Wilmington resident.

According to NCDOT, Nixon founded the county’s first oyster shucking facility on Greenville Sound. He later opened Nixon’s Oyster Plant on Market Street near Military Cutoff, which served the community for more than 55 years until his death in 2011.

NCDOT says Nixon was a leading entrepreneur who demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of Wilmington and New Hanover County throughout his life.