The University of North Carolina Wilmington has grown tremendously since its inception as Wilmington College in 1947. Its hard to imagine that what started as Wilmington College – a two-year institution that first opened its doors nearly six decades ago in the Isaac Bear Building located across the street from New Hanover High School on Market Street – has grown into UNCW, a university that now enrolls more than 11,600 students.
In 1961, Wilmington College moved to its present location on College Road, which at that time was a two-lane road with only a single service station located across the street from the school. Ironically, the area that was considered rural in 1961 is now the heart of bustling New Hanover County.
The campus consists of 650 acres, of which approximately 25 percent is designated as conservation areas. These conservation areas are significant zones of natural beauty with their longleaf pines, oaks, dogwoods and native magnolias.
One of the best ways to explore the history of UNCW is through its named physical spaces. Through either academic or community connections, these entities stand as a reminder of personal contributions. Most of the buildings, classrooms, sites, landmarks and streets bear the names of prominent people involved in the creation of the home of the Seahawks as we know it today.
Randall Library has created a unique online collection of UNCW archives.Click here to explore the history of a campus landmark and the profile of its namesake(s).
Some of the most popular and recognizable UNCW landmarks include the
- Clock Tower
- Traffic circle in front of the three original buildings (James, Alderman, & Hoggard halls)
- Leutze Hall's Gates (portico)
- Chancellor's Walk
