The Homes of the 2023 Back Door Kitchen Tour
The homes on the 2023 Back Door Kitchen Tour:
517 Orange St
This Queen Anne Victorian “Hashagen House” was built in 1897 for Frederick Ernest Hashagen. The architect was Henry F Bonitz. Notice the windows, heart pine floors, pocket doors, moldings, and slate shingles; all original to the home. A renovation in the 1970s prevented the home from being condemned. A major first floor renovation in 2022, including the kitchen and bathroom plus upstairs bathroom converted the building from a bed and breakfast to a family home. A Putnam Rolling ladder system was installed in 2023.
307 S 2nd St
Capt. William Stewart Warnock and wife Georgia Ann Harriss purchased a house and two lots on S 2nd St in the 1890s. Upon the death of Capt. Warnock, his widow razed the home and erected two homes, moving in to 307 in 1900. The neoclassical revival home has 6 fireplaces, elliptical window at entry, original woodwork, newel posts and novel balustrade. Warnock was a Civil War veteran. The Presbyterian minister, Rev Joseph R Wilson, father of future President Woodrow Wilson, presided over Warnock’s funeral. In 1975, the sleeping porch and rear stairway were removed. In 1991, a single-story addition was added to the back of the house. Interior rooms were repurposed in 1975 and 2021. In 2021, walls were removed and a master bedroom with ensuite was added.
Capt. William Stewart Warnock and wife Georgia Ann Harriss purchased a house and two lots on S 2nd St in the 1890s. Upon the death of Capt. Warnock, his widow razed the home and erected two homes, moving in to 307 in 1900. The neoclassical revival home has 6 fireplaces, elliptical window at entry, original woodwork, newel posts and novel balustrade. Warnock was a Civil War veteran. The Presbyterian minister, Rev Joseph R Wilson, father of future President Woodrow Wilson, presided over Warnock’s funeral. In 1975, the sleeping porch and rear stairway were removed. In 1991, a single-story addition was added to the back of the house. Interior rooms were repurposed in 1975 and 2021. In 2021, walls were removed and a master bedroom with ensuite was added.
312 S. 3rd St.
The Italianate “William H Green House” was built in 1879. In 1891, Green added a Queen Anne style addition. Green was a civil war veteran and his wife, Frances Iredell Meares was a member of the NC Society of Colonial Dames. Note the home’s five fireplaces; pocket doors; arched entry into one room addition; imposing crown molding, window and door trim; exposed brick at the butler’s bar and counter in the family room. This home has undergone several large renovations, including the back porch and room. The new kitchen incorporates slave quarters, that were once part of the adjacent home on S 2nd St., marked by the original ceiling beams.
The Italianate “William H Green House” was built in 1879. In 1891, Green added a Queen Anne style addition. Green was a civil war veteran and his wife, Frances Iredell Meares was a member of the NC Society of Colonial Dames. Note the home’s five fireplaces; pocket doors; arched entry into one room addition; imposing crown molding, window and door trim; exposed brick at the butler’s bar and counter in the family room. This home has undergone several large renovations, including the back porch and room. The new kitchen incorporates slave quarters, that were once part of the adjacent home on S 2nd St., marked by the original ceiling beams.
120 Church St
This circa 1889 Victorian bungalow was built as an investment by Elbridge Gary Barker to house local workers. The first owner to reside in the house was Walter Taft, possibly a cousin to President Taft, who lived here from 1904 until his death in 1921. His third wife’s family owned it until 1959. Additions and renovations, starting with Taft adding the front bedroom and porch, have reworked a “rent a room” building to a single-family home. Recent changes converted a step-up closet to a master bath; and restored kitchen wood flooring, hidden under layers of linoleum. The kitchen countertops are quartz; cabinets are re-faced, with slide-outs and drawers added. The living room fireplace has a new gas insert. The reclaimed mantle, and barn wood covering brickwork came from Legacy. The curbside garden beds, originally weeds and dirt, are now a perennial garden.
312 S 6th
This L-shaped Italianate home was built in 1897 for the McEachern’s, owners of an import export business, and later Shadyland Dairy and Echo Farms. Notice original hardwood floors in the dining room, parlor, and upstairs. These rooms comprise the original house footprint. The four fireplaces are also original. In the 1980s the home was modernized. Renovations in 2022/23 include the kitchen (featured in Wilmington Magazine), living and sun rooms plus laundry. Exterior renovations include a patio/entertainment space.
This L-shaped Italianate home was built in 1897 for the McEachern’s, owners of an import export business, and later Shadyland Dairy and Echo Farms. Notice original hardwood floors in the dining room, parlor, and upstairs. These rooms comprise the original house footprint. The four fireplaces are also original. In the 1980s the home was modernized. Renovations in 2022/23 include the kitchen (featured in Wilmington Magazine), living and sun rooms plus laundry. Exterior renovations include a patio/entertainment space.
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326 S. 3rd St
This “King-Meares” Italianate home was built in 1872 by Charles King. In 1895 King sold the house to Judge Oliver Meares. His family owned the home until 1936 when it was auctioned off to Thomas H Wright. The home was converted to apartments. In 2011 the current owners converted the four kitchens, six bathrooms, and eight bedrooms to a family home. Notice the original cooling vents and front door. Original fireplaces are Belgian Black stone. Hall ceiling lights came from a French train station. Back door and pantry countertop are made from heart pine discovered in the attic.
This “King-Meares” Italianate home was built in 1872 by Charles King. In 1895 King sold the house to Judge Oliver Meares. His family owned the home until 1936 when it was auctioned off to Thomas H Wright. The home was converted to apartments. In 2011 the current owners converted the four kitchens, six bathrooms, and eight bedrooms to a family home. Notice the original cooling vents and front door. Original fireplaces are Belgian Black stone. Hall ceiling lights came from a French train station. Back door and pantry countertop are made from heart pine discovered in the attic.
406 S 3rd
The “Allen-Woodward” house, a mix of Federal and Victorian symmetrical design, was built in 1886 by Jacob S Allen to be earthquake proof. The original porch was removed by Woodward in the 1930s and a sleeping porch was enclosed. The servants’ quarters became the guest house. The Woodward family has owned the house since 1927. A 2014 fire forced a major renovation, including the addition of an elevator and updated systems. A 2020 renovation included a total redo of the kitchen and yard. The yard has new landscaping, a fire pit and grill plus an outdoor stereo system. The seven fireplaces have original tiles and mantels (except living room). Notice the backward stairs, missing from the original drawings.
609 Dock St
Built in 1899, the “Harriss House” is a Queen Anne style, two-story family home with wrap-around verandas. Dr Andrew Howell Harriss was a physician and surgeon who served in the Spanish American and First World Wars. The upper and lower verandas were added in the 1930s. The large, gas-lantern lit, landscaped yard is accessed by a basement door. Other renovations occurred in 2000, 2003, 2009, and 2021. In 2021, floors were refinished, bathrooms renovated, and a complete kitchen including cabinetry, appliances, and countertops was completed. Note the original coal fireplaces.
410 2nd St
This 1880 Queen Anne cottage, known as the “David G Worth” house has many original features. Earliest features include fireplaces, floors, doors, windows. In 2014, the walls were taken down to studs to rewire, replumb, and add a new heating/cooling system. The home was a duplex during WWII. Kitchen counters are soapstone and Victorian tiles came from a Portland OR company that is the last to make this type of tile. The container gardens and potting shed, which houses surplus materials are newer.
