Cape Fear Unearthed

Latest Episodes:

Enduring mystery: The fire that destroyed Hemenway Hall May 19, 2021

Show notes

50 years ago, on May 16 and 17, 1971, a fire destroyed Hemenway Hall in downtown Wilmington. The New Hanover County Board of Education building, built in 1915, was formerly Hemenway School. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, but the anniversary opens a window to a time of great unrest in Wilmington.

Unearthing history, literally, with the Cape Fear Explorers Apr 29, 2021

Show notes

We talk to Kevin Mercer of Cape Fear Explorers about the many historical artifacts he's found in Southeastern N.C. And we speak to Elton Franks about a very special find he made recently in Brunswick County: What appears to a Native American "peace medal" dating back to the early 1700s.

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.

The once and future queens of the N.C. Azalea Festival Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

Victoria Huggins, the 74th queen of Wilmington's N.C. Azalea Festival, talks with host John Staton about some of the festival's most famous and notable queens, as well as some of her personal favorites. Huggins is the first Miss North Carolina -- as well as the first Miss Wilmington -- to be named queen of the storied Wilmington festival, which she grew up attending as a child growing up in rural Robeson County.

Wilmington's rock of ages: Remembering The Mad Monk Mar 27, 2021

Show notes

Wilmington rock club The Mad Monk only lasted for 13 years, from 1983 to 1996. But the impact it had on live music in the Port City continues to this day. On the 25th anniversary of its closing, John Staton talks to Jeff Reid about the Mad Monk's heyday and its legacy.

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.

Goodbye, Farewell and Hello Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

A new era begins on Cape Fear Unearthed creator Hunter Ingram bids farewell to the podcast and welcomes new host John Staton to the show.

Hear about Hunter's new opportunity at Old Baldy Lighthouse, what stories John wants to bring to the show and how the origins of the podcast can be traced to the tunnels underneath downtown Wilmington.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

U.S. Colored Troops and the Battle of Forks Road Feb 18, 2021

Show notes

Long forgotten by history, the Battle of Forks Road was the last domino to fall before Wilmington was captured by Union forces in the final year of the Civil War.

But even more than its military significance, it was a key theater of war for the United States Colored Troops. Across 175 regiments, the USCT was made up primarily of African Americans looking to do their part to ensure President Abraham Lincoln's forces – and his recent Emancipation Proclamation – won the war.

The story of the Battle of Forks Road is an important snapshot of the role African Americans played in a war that would ultimately decide their future, and showed how they were on the frontlines even if that wasn't how history always remembered it.

Joining the episode to tell the story of the USCT and the Battle of Forks Road is Chris E. Fonvielle Jr., a local historian and author who named the battle following his research on the grounds which are now home to the Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Sources:

"Glory at Wilmington: The Battle of Forks Road," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr.
"Black Soldiers in the Civil War" project, National Archives
Cameron Art Museum, Battle of Forks Road literature
Civil War military records for USCT troops

Ellerbrock and Boss: Faithful Unto Death Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

They were inseparable in life and they were inseparable in death.

Whoever said a dog is man's best friend would have certainly smiled at the bond between Capt. William Ellerbrock and his dog, Boss, both of whom lived in Wilmington in the late 1800s.

The pair would become the lone victims of a vicious blaze in downtown Wilmington in April 1880, victims of circumstance who died committed to unwavering heroism. But their story is bigger than just its tragic end. It speaks to the community of Wilmington and the bravery its residents have shown in its moments of need.

Joining this episode is frequent guest Chris E. Fonvielle Jr, a local historian and author of the new book "Curious Tales from Old Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear." Chris stops by to help tell Ellerbrock and Boss' story, as well as detail the origins of his book, which is now available to buy.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Sources:

"Curious Tales from Old Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr.
The Wilmington Daily Review, April 1880 editions
The Wilmington Morning Star, 1880 and 1881 editions

Black Thursday: The Exodus of Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Black Thursday: Dec. 15, 1955.

To shock of Wilmington, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad announced it would be ending its century-long relationship with the city, where it operated its headquarters in 1900, and moving to a new city.

It was a devastating day that provided a harsh period to a massive legacy for the railroad in Wilmington, an industry that put the region on the map and thousands of its residents to work.

In recognition of the 65th anniversary of Black Thursday, Cape Fear Unearthed is closing out 2020 with an episode on the steamrolling history of the railroad in Wilmington. Starting with the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad Company in 1834, the episode weaves through the next century of local challengers, mergers and an in-depth look at the incredible scale of the railroad’s local presence.

Joining the episode is special guest Holli Saperstein, the executive director of the Wilmington Railroad Museum.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Sources:

"Building a Great Railroad: A History of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company," by Glenn Hoffman
"Wilmington: Lost But Not Forgotten," by Beverly Tetterton
Wilmington Morning Star, Dec. 16, 1955
Wilmington Railroad Museum exhibits

The World's Largest Living Christmas Tree Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

For more than 80 years, Wilmington had the ultimate icon of the holidays right in its backyard.

The World's Largest Living Christmas attracted tens of thousands of visitors every year to marvel at its height and outstretching branches, draped in lights and ornaments galore.

The tree was centerpiece of the holidays for the Cape Fear, and it's service to the community traces through World War II, the mid-century prosperity, the Christmas tree competition of the 1980s and the changing relationship between Wilmington residents and its public places.

This week, we look at how the tree came to be, what happen that drew in its devoted fans and why it is gone? We will also share new information about the latest effort to recreate the community symbol of the World's Largest Living Christmas.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Sources:

"Stories Old and New of the Cape Fear Region," by Louis T. Moore
"O Christmas Tree," by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr. for Salt Magazine (Nov. 30, 2018)
Wilmington Morning Star editions, 1928-2015
"The State" magazine, Dec. 21, 1946, pgs. 8-9
"History of Christmas Trees," by HISTORY editors, https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas-trees

Unearthing 1898, Part 3: The Aftermath Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

On the morning of Nov. 11, 1898, Wilmington was a city in shock.

The day prior, chaos reigned on the streets when a mob of armed white supremacists unleashed intimidation, threats and gunfire on the Black residents of Wilmington.

In the third episode of "Unearthing 1898," host Hunter Ingram and guests look at Wilmington in the days and years after Nov. 10, 1898.

What happened to the Black residents who fled or were banished from the city, many of them spending days hidden in fear in Wilmington swamps and cemeteries? How did the newly seized local government respond to the day of violence and attempt to restore order in an unruly city? And how did the events of 1898 lead to widespread legislative, economic, culture and societal changes that persisted throughout the state for decades and are still being dealt with today.

Joining the episode are LeRae Umfleet, the author of "A Day of Blood" and lead research of North Carolina's commission on 1898; Cynthia Brown, historian of St. Stephens AME Church in Wilmington; and David Cecelski, historian and co-author of "Democracy Betrayed."

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram. Additional editing by Adam Fish.

The show is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry, Tidewater Heating & Air Conditioning, and Cape Fear Pharmacy.

Sources:

"A Day of Blood: The 1898 Wilmington Race Riot," by LeRae Umfleet
"Wilmington's Life: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy," by David Zucchino
"Democracy Betrayed," edited by David Cecelski and Timothy Tyson.
"Wilmington on Fire" (2015, dir. Christopher Everett
Wilmington Massacre and Coup d'état of 1898 (an interactive timeline exhibit), CapeFearMuseum.com

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