Wilmington Counts on SERVPRO for Water Damage Repair

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage doesn’t take a break for the holidays and neither does SERVPRO! We are available 24/7 for all your emergency restoration needs.

Wilmington Businesses Trust Us to Provide Water Damage Mitigation When a Water Loss Occurs

Wilmington, NC is a beautiful port city that is home to the Riverwalk. This 1 ¾ mile riverfront walk was named "Best American Riverfront" by USA Today in 2014. Residents enjoy both the river and the beach, as do the many visitors that flock to the area yearly.

Native Americans & Colonials

Algonquin tribes were among the primary tribes of indigenous people who lived in the area when the Europeans' colonization began. Both Europeans and Africans took part in the history of Wilmington. Giovanni da Verrazano, a 16th-century explorer, is the first white person to see the area. English colonists would build the first European settlement in the 1720s. John Watson, a landowner, established a community in 1732 on the Cape Fear River. It was known as "New Carthage," but that name would change several times. It would become "New Liverpool" and finally morph into "Newton." Governor Gabriel Johnson ruled this North Carolina city. The name would change again to honor the Earl of Wilmington, Spencer Compton, around 1739.

Early settlers migrated to Wilmington from various locations such as Pamlico, Albemarle, Virginia, and South Carolina. But the significant influx would be from:

• Northern British colonies
• West Indies
• British Isles

The Revolutionary War Comes Along

Before and after the War of Independence, lumber and naval stores were the region's primary economy. Wilmington would play a significant role in the Revolutionary War. As a prominent port, it was commercially vital. Many outspoken city leaders would encourage patriot separation. One of the most prominent voices was Cornelius Harnett. Part of the General Assembly, he would rally folks to stand against the Sugar Act. 

The Stamp Act would follow, and Wilmington would hold demonstrations against that. 

Liberty, Property, and No Stamp Duty

This phrase was the cry on October 19, 1765, when townspeople flocked to burn an effigy of residents who supported the Stamp Act and protest the new law. Others would gather at a "funeral" to mourn the death of liberty. But when they discovered she still had a "pulse," a celebration followed. 

Attempting to Bring Calm

Governor William Tryon would attempt to bring the two sides together, but it was not to be. He pleaded with the residents on November 18, 1765, but the locals claimed their rights were restricted. Governor Tryon ordered the stamps to be kept aboard the Diligence. Court business was stopped, as was all Cape Fear shipping. The unrest ended up being so great Tryon would eventually move his government seat to New Bern. Ultimately, the Stamp Act would be repealed by the Westminster Parliament in 1766.

Railroads Bring Commerce

Wilmington looked forward to railroad transportation, and in the 1830s, it took place. A plan was put together, and the track was laid, with completion taking place in 1840. It would be the longest single line of railroad track anywhere in the world. The railroad also had a fleet of steamboats that serviced passengers traveling between Wilmington and Charleston. They also carried freight, and with the city being a stop-over point, commerce grew.

The Antebellum Period

Other things besides the railroads were growing. Church cemeteries had filled up, and in 1853 Oakdale Cemetery would be established on 65 acres. It would be North Carolina's first rural cemetery. Other happenings during this time included:

• Establishment of the Wilmington Gas Company in 1854
• Gas-powered lights replace oil lamps
• Construction on a new city hall began in 1855
• Thalian Hall opera house is established
• First public school, Union Free School, opened in 1857
• Free people of color open businesses and develop trade

The Civil War Comes to Wilmington

Blockade runners, both privately owned and Confederate, would use the port in Wilmington as their base. They would bring much-needed supplies from England to waiting troops and cities. The Union tried to stop the running of supplies to the South. Fort Fisher fell to Union troops, and the port was closed. One month later, Wilmington's Battle took place in 1865, and Union forces captured the city. Much of the battle took place on the city's outskirts, so period houses and buildings were preserved.

A City Full of History

Today much of the past can be seen in Wilmington. The downtown monuments and historic buildings include:

• George Davis Monument
• Confederate Monument
• Bellamy Mansion
• Cotton Exchange of Wilmington
• Temple of Israel
• Murchison Building

SERVPRO of New Hanover Proudly Serving Wilmington Businesses

Burst pipes and leaking HVAC systems can all cause water intrusions that call for water damage repair services. When that happens, SERVPRO is here to mitigate the damage. We arrive at your property as fast as possible and do a scope of the premises. Once that happens, and a plan of action gets put in place, our technicians:

• Provide water extraction services using various types of pumps
• Dry the building using industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers
• Clean the structure and content
• Use controlled demolition if needed
• Repair and restore the facility

Emergency mitigation is vital to prevent secondary damage from occurring. Water is caustic and can damage surfaces. Mold can rapidly develop when moisture is allowed to remain in place. Early intervention is crucial to prevent these problems. SERVPRO of New Hanover understands the importance of restoring your business fast. Your business needs to be open to support your family and maintain customers. We can help with that by providing water damage repair to your Wilmington business. Contact us at (910) 762- 8180. Ask about our ERP plan that can help you be prepared before a disaster.