Wilmington, NC – The dilapidated structure once known as the JoWaHa building, a fixture at the foot of Market Street for decades, is now a memory, replaced by the Bob Jenkins Visitor Information Center. The building’s story, one of preservation debates and eventual demolition, offers a glimpse into Wilmington’s evolving relationship with its past.
Built in 1904, the JoWaHa was named for its builder, steamship captain John Walker Harper (1856-1917). It initially served as Harper’s office and later housed the Stone Towing Company, a marine towing and shipyard business with roots stretching back to the 1800s. For many years, the J.W. Brooks Wholesale Grocer building on the Wilmington Riverwalk was also known as the Stone Towing Building.
By the early 1980s, the building had fallen into disrepair. A 1979 structural report deemed it unsound, and nearby business owners increasingly viewed it as an eyesore. This sparked a heated debate between those who advocated for its demolition and those who saw value in preserving a piece of Wilmington’s history.
“It’s red, it’s rusty, it’s bent and bashed,” read a StarNews editorial from the period, as reported by the publication in 2026. “It’s a survivor from the old days … before we realized that the river was scenic.” The editorial reflected a growing sentiment that the building, despite its condition, held a certain character and represented a link to Wilmington’s maritime past.
The Historic Wilmington Foundation led efforts to renovate the JoWaHa, proposing its conversion into a visitor’s center. The city of Wilmington reportedly considered the idea, and a federal grant of $1.1 million, earmarked for a park called Water Street Plaza, offered a potential funding source. However, the “eyesore theory” ultimately prevailed.
According to Beverly Tetterton’s 2005 book, “Wilmington: Lost But Not Forgotten,” the JoWaHa was razed in 1982. The demolition paved the way for the development of the area as a tourist hub, a transformation that is now evident in the bustling activity around Kilwins and the “Southern Hospitality” Venus flytrap sculpture.
The fate of the JoWaHa building serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in balancing preservation with progress. While the building itself is gone, its story continues to resonate, prompting reflection on the architectural treasures Wilmington has lost over the years. The building’s demolition also highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining historical character and adapting to the needs of a growing city.
