History with ‘Hud’: Detailing the years Woodrow Wilson spent living in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington has been visited by numerous presidents over the years. But only one has called the city home – at least for a brief time.
Thomas Woodrow Wilson – he would later drop his first name – spent several years living in Wilmington during the second half of the 19th century.
Wilson arrived in 1874 with his family at 17 years old, moving into 401 South Front Street. The house was located just across from the Governor Dudley Mansion while a new church manse was being built at 317 Orange Street, next to the First Presbyterian Church. His father, Joseph Wilson, served at the church’s pastor until 1885.
Woodrow split time between the Port City and his studies at Davidson College, just north of Charlotte. Reports indicate Wilson developed a love of the ocean and observing the heavy ship traffic up and down the Cape Fear from their home.
It is believed Wilson owned the first bicycle in all of North Carolina, with it having a large front wheel and small back wheel. He is reported to have accidentally ridden it down Nun Street into the Cape Fear River one afternoon. But he spent a lot of intentional time in the river too, swimming at the foot of Dock Street.
When in town, Wilson took lessons in Greek and Latin from Mrs. Joseph R. Russell, the first person known to have predicted he would be president. He also sat in on some classes at Wilmington’s Tileston School and was tutored by its headmaster, Amy Bradley.
Through his time in the Port City, Wilson developed friendships with many prominent people, including John D. Bellamy Jr. who lived in the Bellamy Mansion. He kept close ties with various residents in Wilmington even once he left town for politics.
During his presidency, from 1913 through 1921, Wilson helped transform the riverfront landscape in his former hometown, by steering federal funds to Water Street. This resulted in the construction of the iconic U.S. Custom House in the center of the downtown view.
Following his death on February 3, 1924, a memorial service was held for Wilson at City Hall, in front of a standing-room-only crowd. Several people, including John D. Bellamy Jr., spoke at length about their connection to the local presidential connection.
While it’s been more than a century since Wilson lived in the Port City, his legacy lives on in the various structures around town. Several presidents have come and gone since, but Wilson remains the only one to spend a lengthy amount of time in Wilmington.
Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston (‘Hud’) has always had two major loves – weather and history. While you can watch him talk about weather each morning on WWAY, he looks forward to bringing you a little piece of history each Thursday on WWAY’s website.
To read other History with ‘Hud’ segments, click HERE.
