Look up and around: The downtown Wilmington history you might have missed

One of the main features that make Wilmington so special is its history.

Even though some of the Port City's most historic buildings have been knocked down through the years, many still remain standing and help make the city unique.

Some of the history is obvious — the Bellamy Mansion Museum and Burgwin-Wright House come to mind among many — but other history is slightly more hidden. Well, perhaps not hidden, just not within eye level.

More: Dozens of Wilmington's Black historic sites have been demolished. What's being done to save the rest?

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Take the time to slowly walk around downtown, and you’ll see some of those gems.

From names of the past to preserved signs and intricate designs, there's plenty to see. Here are a few of those buildings and markers.

Southern Bell building

The Messenger and Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph building is actually five separate buildings designed by well-known architect Charles McMillen. The addresses when originally built were between 121-129 Princess St and they were constructed between 1899 and 1906. The phone company moved into the building at 121-123 Princess when it was completed in 1906.

According to Tony Wrenn’s book, “Wilmington, North Carolina: An Architectural and Historical Portrait," some of the other various tenants that occupied the buildings over the years include E. Weaver Men’s Clothing, Trust Barber Shop, Carolina Building and Loan Association and Futrelle’s Pharmacy to name a few.

Current tenants include manna restaurant and Bourgie Nights lounge.

French-Shrier building

The French-Shrier building is located at 32 N. Front St in downtown Wilmington. According to the historical plaque it was built for William French and sold to Isaac Shrier in 1914. The building has been used by various businesses over the years including a shoe store from 1936-1975 and as Lenny’s Men’s Clothes from 1977-2006.

It was renovated in 2008 by Monteith Construction and was first certified LEED (Leadership in Design and Environmental Design) certified building in the county.

Henry E. Bonitz building

The Henry E. Bonitz building is located at 213 Princess St. and was built in 1906. The neoclassical detailed facade is part of the beautifully detailed structure. The architect was Henry Bonitz, who is well known for many buildings in Wilmington, including Thalian Hall, and the building was actually home to his office.

Other tenants through the years included the Beach Water Company, Edison Phonograph Company and the Charles M. Stieff Piano Company. The Hardison and Cochran law firm is now in the space.

Diamond Feed Store

The Diamond Feed Store sign is on the Warren building at 7 S. 2nd St. in downtown Wilmington. It was built in 1908 by Richard Warren, the owner of Warren’s Steam Bakery. Various businesses have occupied the space including a grocery, a funeral home, a dentist, a furniture store, a gunsmith and the Diamond Feed Store from 1946 to 1955.

Apartments are now part of the building.

J.W. Brooks Wholesale Grocer

“J.W. Brooks Wholesale Grocer" is painted on the side of the three-story brick building at 18 S. Water St.

It was built in 1920 as a warehouse, and the building is named for John Wesley Brooks, a Brunswick County native who ran the wholesale grocery until he died in 1937. The block letters were repainted in 2014 by Chappy Valente after they had faded over time.

Various stores and apartments now use the building as well as The River Room, an event venue.

Ahrens building

The Ahrens building is located at 112 Market Street. It was built in 1906 and another building in downtown designed by noted architect Henry Bonitz.

According to the historical plaque, Benjamin Ahrens commissioned the building for his sons, who ran Ahrens Brothers Wholesale Drug Company for 31 years. Several businesses followed including Gregg’s Appliance from 1940-1963 and Western Auto Supply from 1964-1980. The building is currently the home of the Rocket Fizz chain candy shop.

Barefoots & Jackson Furniture

A sign for Barefoots & Jackson Furniture Co. is painted on the back of the building at 21 S. Front St.

Records show the building was constructed in 1939 for Todd's Downtown Furniture Co., and the Barefoot & Jackson Furniture Co. occupied the space during the 1980s and ‘90s.

Furniture businesses were a common sight downtown, including Sutton-Council and Carolina, the latter sign still painted on the side of the now-closed business on Red Cross Street (now home to non-profit food bank Mother Hubbard's Cupboard).

Masonic Temple

The Masonic Temple at 21 N. front St. is one of the more well-known buildings in downtown Wilmington.

The architect who was commissioned for the building was Charles McMillen, who had built several Masonic temples in other parts of the country. The building began construction in May 1899 and opened in November of the same year.

The four-story building was designed to be multi-use, with stores on the first floor, offices on the second, a Masonic lodge hall on the third floor, and a ballroom on the fourth floor.

Dennis Hopper, the late actor who starred in the Wilmington-shot film "Blue Velvet," once lived in one of the apartments.

The S.H. Kress & Co. five-and-dime store occupied the prominent space on the first floor from 1901 until it closed in 1973. The building still has a variety of uses, with several stores on the ground floor, apartments, a stage, and a rooftop bar.

W.H. McEachern

The building at 121 S. Front St. features a bright and prominent sign advertising the wholesale fruit and produce company. The structure was built around 1940 and was originally the location for the Merita bread bakery.

McEachern's produce bought the building from Merita in 1963 and remained there until selling it in 20. Although there has been talk through the years about its potential demolition, or even the idea of a small grocer moving into the current building, it has remained vacant ever since.

Mugge building

The Mugge building at 200 Princess St. has one of the more unique rooftop designs of any building in downtown Wilmington. It was built in 1892-93, after owner Carl Mugge tore down the three story single building that was previously in the location. Originally the building was home to the Astoria Café and a saloon, with apartments on the second floor.

The building underwent renovations after a fire caused extensive damage to the building 2014. Bespoke Coffee moved into the building in 2017.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: A look at downtown Wilmington history above eye level