Twenty-five years is a long time.
Certainly, Wilmington has changed a lot over the past quarter-century. With that in mind, we thought we'd look back at 25 memorable Wilmington moments and events from each of the past 25 years.
Spanning the arts, sports, politics and business, the point is to look back at both transformative and unusual moments in the evolution of the Port City, with an emphasis on nostalgia and local pride.
Naturally, we can't include every single important Wilmington event here. Rather, we aim to provide an overview of what we've lost and gained, and things worth remembering.
2025: Skyline
The city of Wilmington holds a grand opening to celebrate the opening of its new City Hall at the Skyline Center. It marks the first time all city departments
are consolidated into one building.
2024: Michael Jordan
Wilmington's favorite son, basketball star Michael Jordan, appears with his mother, Deloris, for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of the first Wilmington-area Novant Health clinic to bear his name.
2023: 1898
Wilmington marks the 125th anniversary of the Wilmington coup and massacre of 1898 two years after a "funeral procession" for Joshua Halsey. Halsey was one of perhaps dozens of Wilmington Blacks killed during a White supremacist uprising in 1898.
2022: New Hanover High School celebrates 100
New Hanover High School on Market Street celebrates its 100th anniversary. Construction of the school began in 1920, its doors opened in 1921 and its first graduating class dates to 1922.
2021: Live Oak Bank Pavilion
The first concerts at Wilmington's Live Oak Bank Pavilion/Riverfront Park are held. The 7,200-capacity outdoor venue is managed for the city of Wilmington by the Live Nation Entertainment conglomerate.
2020: Confederate statues
In June, Wilmington's Confederate statues at Third and Dock and Third and Market streets come down after standing since 1911 and 1924, respectively. Their stone pedestals were removed in 2021.
2019: World War II Heritage City
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Wilmington native Wilbur Jones, the groundwork is laid for Wilmington to become the first World War II Heritage City when President Donald Trump signs an omnibus bill. Trump makes it official in 2020 during a visit to the Battleship North Carolina.
2018: Snakes
After owner Dean Ripa is shot to death by his wife in 2017, the Cape Fear Serpentarium in downtown Wilmington closes its doors for good. The odd institution helped kick-start the career of comic Nate Bargatze, who talked about it on Netflix.
2017: StarNews
Wilmington's newspaper of record, the StarNews, marks the 150th anniversary of its 1867 founding. The occasion features a festival, a gala, special publications and a time capsule buried next to Thalian Hall.
2016: 'Jeopardy!'
A Wilmington librarian wins hearts on "Jeopardy!" when Margaret Miles emerges victorious and, more importantly, engages in memorable banter with host Alex Trebek, saying she's a "hopelessly stereotypical" librarian who likes to knit.
2015: Wilson Center
Cape Fear Community College's Wilson Center opens its doors with a concert by Broadway icon Liza Minnelli, becoming Wilmington's largest indoor auditorium.
2014: Dead Crow
Wilmington's Dead Crow Comedy Room opens on North Front Street after starting life one door over as Nutt Street Comedy Room in 2008. In 2021, the club would relocate to North Third Street.
2013: Soapbox
Wilmington's beloved Soapbox music venue on North Front Street closes its doors. Since opening in 2001, it had hosted such touring acts as Future Islands and the Carolina Chocolate Drops and been a home for dozens, if not hundreds, of local bands.
2012: Wilmington Theater Awards
The first Wilmington Theater Awards are held at Thalian Hall to honor and celebrate Wilmington's theatrical community. Originally produced by the StarNews, the awards have been produced by the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County since 2023.
2011: Christmas tree
A Wilmington tradition since 1928, the World's Largest Living Christmas Tree is lit for the last time. The ailing tree had not hosted visitors since 2009. It was destroyed in 2015.
2010: Thalian
Thalian Hall re-opens after extensive renovations to its main stage and throughout the historic 1858 building. Sixteen years later, the Hall is embarking on a new and even more ambitious renovation project.
2009: 'Daisy'
The play "Driving Miss Daisy" starring "Alice" actress Linda Lavin plays for 85 performances at the Red Barn Studio Theatre on South Third Street, making it the longest-running show in Wilmington history. Lavin, who died in 2024, started the theater with husband Steve Bakunas in 2007.
2008: Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
A renovated Greenfield Lake Amphitheater re-opens with a concert by country singer, and former Wilmington resident, Tift Merritt.
2007: 'Bolden!'
"Bolden!" starts filming in Wilmington. After many re-shoots, the movie from writer-director Dan Pritzker would finally wrap production in 2015 prior to a 2019 release. Its 12-year span from start to release is a Wilmington record.
2006: Saffo
Bill Saffo becomes mayor of Wilmington when he's appointed to fill the rest of Spence Broadhurst's term. Saffo wins his first mayoral election in 2007 and remains mayor to this day, holdingthe office longer than any other person.
2005: Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
The final section of Wilmington's Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway opens to traffic. Construction on the east-west corridor, first conceived in the 1960s, had started in 1995.
2004: Mayfaire
Mayfaire Town Center opens off Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington. The sprawling shopping center had previously been a farm.
2003: 'Dawson's Creek' and 'One Tree Hill'
Filming for the final season of Wilmington-shot teen drama "Dawson's Creek" ends, while filming of what will be an even more popular and enduring series, "One Tree Hill," begins.
2002: CAM
The Cameron Art Museum opens in its new location on South 17th Street after opening as St. John's Museum of Art downtown in 1962.
2001: Waves
Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate The Wilmington Waves plays its last baseball game at the University of North Carolina Wilmington's Brooks Field. The Waves remain the most recent professional baseball team to be based in Wilmington.
John Staton is the arts and culture reporter for the StarNews. You can reach him at jstaton@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 25 memorable moments from Wilmington's past 25 years
