Scenes along the tour
Wilmington is a river town, and nearly all the
old homes, the streets, and the mercantile buildings had a link
in the history of Wilmington's economic growth. Many
of the fine old homes you will see on the tour were the homes
of the leading businessmen and civic leaders who settled here
and built the economy around import and export. Cotton,
rice and turpentine were shipped worldwide, and provided jobs
for many of the homeowners who built houses along the streets
further back from the river. Many of the streets
are paved with brick and many of the retaining walls built with
ballast stones. The tour starts from the waterfront
location and winds along the riverfront where ships docked and
cargo transferred. Many of the old buildings and structures remain.
The tour continues through some of the fine old neighborhoods
with mansions and business houses, and along some of the back
streets where working class families lived.
Back down through the heart of Wilmington's downtown and governments
buildings, the tour will return to the riverfront.
You will see many fine examples of Wilmington architecture -
Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival - and
will be surprised to learn about some of the more famous works
by Wilmington's builders and architects.
You will be surprised to learn that for a while Wilmington was
the home of the longest rail line in the world, the Wilmington
and Weldon RR.
And there is so much more: underground tunnels, the 'Dram Tree',
the shipyards, haunted houses, 'Hangman's Hill', and some of
its lesser known, but famous inhabitants, like 'Whistler's Mother.'
The trolley features roll-up side curtains so you have an unobstructed
view of all the sights, and your tour guide points out all there
is to see and allows plenty of time for viewing and picture taking.
Whether you're a visitor or long-time resident you will gain
insights into the character and foundation of this river town,
learn something about the people and businesses which made it
work, and its place in the history of the United States.
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