History
Established in the 1720s, Wilmington was a major base for Confederates during the American Civil War. Due to the fact that the city did not see major action during the war, many houses and building are still extant, making the city a popular destination for history buffs. The city is probably best-known for the tragic massacre of 1898, when an unknown number of African-Americans were killed and run out of town by a mob of angry whites. The results of this sad event in turn helped Wilmington become one of the most progressive states in the region, and the one of the earliest to recognize equal rights.