In 2008, these 6 events made headlines in the Wilmington area (yes, 15 years ago)
Fifteen years ago, Wilmington was in the middle of its largest growth spurt.
Sounds familiar to today, right?
In 2008, the city's population was on the cusp of hitting six figures. That is, a population of 100,000. From 2000 to 2010, Wilmington gained more than 30,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (the current population is around 120,000).
Here's a glimpse at some noteworthy events in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties that happened 15 years ago.
A second North Carolina
In May of 2008, Wilmington was home to two North Carolinas.
A submarine came up the Cape Fear River to become the new USS North Carolina. The Navy commissioned the ship in the Port City.
It came 47 years after the former USS North Carolina, decommissioned and known now as Battleship North Carolina, made the same trek up the river for its final stop across from downtown Wilmington.
The USS North Carolina submarine remains in service.
Oak Island bridge tragedy
In December 2008, work on a new Oak Island bridge came to a tragic halt. A concrete girder fell during bridge construction, killing one man and injuring two others.
Work resumed in May 2009, only to be halted from June to October because the N.C. Department of Transportation twice rejected pre-set, pre-cast girders because of cracks it deemed unacceptable.
The bridge opened in 2010.
Election season
From U.S. President to county commissioners and a bond referendum, 2008 was a big year for elections.
Two local names who were voted into public office remain involved today in area politics: Jonathan Barfield Jr. and Ted Davis Jr. Both earned seats on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
Barfield remains on the Board while Davis now serves in the N.C. House of Representatives.
A bond referendum to provide funds to Cape Fear Community College was also approved, which helped build the school's Union Station, which holds a conference center, classrooms, auditorium and more.
Popular restaurant closes
After a decade in a business, a place that catered to young and old unexpectedly closed in 2008.
Owners cited the poor economy of the late 2000s as to why Wilson's Restaurant was shuttered. When the Wilmington business closed, it included a restaurant, banquet rooms, an outdoor Tiki bar and 110-game arcade.
The location is now home to Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
Hanna hits
Fifteen years ago, the Wilmington area saw two storms during hurricane season. Tropical Storm Hanna made one of the biggest impacts along the East Coast in 2008.
After the storm first hit Haiti, resulting in more than 400 deaths, it made landfall near the North Carolina-South Carolina line. Much of the damage was at the Brunswick coastal towns such as Ocean Isle Beach.
Pender girls basketball
The Pender High School girls basketball team won the 1A East Regional championship in early 2008.
It was part of an incredible year that saw the squad win 30 games. Pender lost in the state championship to Bishop McGuinness.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Flashback to Wilmington in 2008 includes Oak Island bridge tragedy
