Cape Fear Unearthed

Latest Episodes:

Photographic memories: Wilmington's history in photos Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

This week, we take a deep dive into more than 15,000 historic Wilmington photographs the Cape Fear Museum recently made available to the public on its website. Some photos date back to the 1860s, and together, they help tell the story of Wilmington -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- in a way words never could.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Chandler Hoefle.

Wilmington's Temple of Israel: storied past, building a future Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

Built in 1876 at Fourth and Market streets, Wilmington's Temple of Israel is believed to be the oldest synagogue in North Carolina and the 10th oldest in the United States in continuous use.

We talk with longtime Temple members Glen and Beverly Tetterton about the history of the Temple, the history of Jewish people in Wilmington and about the ongoing campaign to raise money to fix the historic building.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Chandler Hoefle

The curious case of the Christmas flounder Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

The tale of the Christmas flounder has captured the imagination of Wilmingtonians ever since the story began running in the StarNews every Christmas Eve back in the early 1980s. We look into the Christmas flounder's rather murky origin story.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

Preserving history, one window and door at a time Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

We talk to the folks at Legacy Architectural Salvage, an offshoot of the Historic Wilmington Foundation, about their work in preserving old building materials for future home renovation and construction projects. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

Commemorating 1898, and the search for descendants Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

This week, we talk to Jim Downey and Tim Pinnick of the New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project, who are involved with some of the efforts to commemorate the events of 1898, in part by finding the descendants of those who were killed. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The bridges of New Hanover County Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, we take a look at the history of bridges in New Hanover County, both the bridges that exist today, and the bridges that preceded them.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

Ideal location: Wilmington film history and the Ideal Cement factory Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

Let’s talk a little bit of Wilmington film history, history that took place in an unlikely location in the northern wilds of New Hanover County. The massive, shut-down Ideal Cement plant near Castle Hayne has been the site of a dozen or more major film productions over the decades, some of them with very famous names: “The Crow,” “Super Mario Bros.” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," just to name three.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

Century club: Wilmington's 100-year-old businesses Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

100 years is a long time. Almost no one even lives that long. But as we look back on the history of Wilmington, there are a handful of businesses that have stood the test of time and, through multiple generations, survived, and even thrived, for 100 years or more. With guest Wilbur Jones, a historian and native Wilmingtonian.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Wilmington goes to the movies: bygone theaters and drive-ins Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

Let's take a look back at the many Wilmington movie theaters and drive-ins from yesteryear! Wilmington native Ann Hutteman saw movies at many of these locations, and she shares her memories with us. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Historic Wilmington Foundation takes the past into the future May 31, 2021

Show notes

Founded in 1966, the Historic Wilmington Foundation, which has saved dozens if not hundreds of prominent structures in downtown Wilmington, has made its name on preserving the past for future generations. We talk with new executive director Travis Gilbert and HWF staffer Isabelle Shepherd about how the group is adapting to meet present-day challenges. Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by John Staton. Additional editing by Adam Fish. The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

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