On Memorial Day, 1922, local citizens dedicated a monument to the county’s war dead. For more than 50 years, the Memorial sat at Market and 13th streets, in the median of the main thoroughfare through town across from New Hanover High School. In 1973, as the city put an overpass across the street to connect the two parts of New Hanover High School, the Memorial was moved and placed in front of the school.
In early 2014, a local ad-hoc group began planning its restoration, repair, cleaning, and relocation to a more visible site on the Cape Fear Riverfront. This re-dedication ceremony marks the 100th anniversary of World War I and ultimately America’s participation during 1917-18. The memorial lists 37 county men who lost their lives in service.
This event is sponsored by the City of Wilmington, New Hanover County, New Hanover County Schools and the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition.