#TBT: Wilmington’s oldest high school

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — For just shy of 100 years, the Port City has been home to one of the state’s oldest high schools: New Hanover High.

Before moving to its current location on Market Street, the school was known as Wilmington High School, which opened in 1898. Then in 1922 the Market St. location opened its doors. For about 40 years NHHS was the county’s white high school. In 1964 a desegregation plan began, and full integration was in place following the closure of nearby Williston High School in 1968.

The school has appeared on both the small and big screen. It can been seen on “One Tree Hill,” as well as the feature films “Hiding Out” and “Blue Velvet.”

Notable alumni include William Halyburton Jr. and Charles Murray Jr., who were both Medal of Honor recipients, longtime news anchor David Brinkley, “The Simpsons” writer and producer Don Payne, and former professional baseball player and WWAY’s 5th Quarter Co-Host Trot Nixon.