As rapid growth in Wilmington has caused some to oppose development, or a better way to deal with it, voters more than 60 years ago had little trouble saying yes to expansion.
In the days of grief following the assassination of President John Kennedy, Wilmington residents went to the polls in a special election to approve a series of measures that would more than double the size of the city.
According to an article in Nov. 24, 1963, edition of the Sunday StarNews, voters had days left to decide whether “$3.8 million in bonds should be issued to finance the expansion of city services to areas to be taken.”
These commitments included the construction of two fire stations, other fire engines, police, sanitation departments and roads as well as water and sewage lines.
An old waterway near the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington, NC, on January 27, 1965. Also pictured is Fergus’ Ark.
Turnout was expected to be higher after the city saw “an additional 816 names on the ballot during the pre-election registration process.” This gave the Port City close to 14,000 registered voters.
Various polling places include Hemenway Hall, Atlantic Motors, Sunset Park Junior High School, Shew’s Credit Store and the New Hanover County Courthouse.
More than half of city voters turned out as six bond measures received overwhelming approval.
“This is a real victory for the citizens of Wilmington,” said Herb McKim, president of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. “The community is really ready to move forward.”
This article originally appeared on the Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington, NC, voted to expand its city limits in 1963.