City of Wilmington celebrating its 285th birthday

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The City of Wilmington is marking an impressive milestone.

Tuesday marks 285 years since the city was officially incorporated on February 20, 1739.

But Wilmington wasn’t the first choice to name the city.

Before being incorporated, the city held a series of names, including New Carthage, New Liverpool, Newton and New Town.

Wilmington was chosen after Spencer Compton, the First Earl of Wilmington.