Wilmington's Military Cutoff Road-- Part 4

Because of its heavy use, it was apparently paved by the Army soon after the war began. This new route and name first appeared on maps after the war.

The Military Cutoff terminus at Wrightsville Highway, as Oleander Drive was then known, has become a useful bypass around downtown Wilmington.

During the war, it was not used to as way to get to the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company on the Cape Fear River.

--GreGen

Wilmington's Military Cutoff Road-- Part 3

One person named Ev Smith had a comment and I'd have to say Ev Smith is one very informed person. According to Smith, the Military Cutoff Road was originally an unnamed and unpaved country road off US-17 used by troop convoys from Camp Davis to reach the Wrightsville Beach USO Club.

The August 28, 1941, Wilmington Star mentioned the road in connection with the opening of the club on Harbor Island.

Wrightsville Beach had many other attractions including the famous Lumina Pavillion and, of course, lots of bars. The club and Wrightsville Beach remained popular destinations throughout the war.

--GreGen

Wilmington's Military Cutoff Road-- Part 2

During the war it was a largely forested, undeveloped area until very recently. Even as late as the 1960s, the only major structure from Market Street to the intersection of Oleander Drive and Wrightsville Avenue, was the Buccaneer Gun Club, a firing range.

But now, there is plenty of development and more planned. And, of course, the construction and traffic woes that come along with it.

And, in Wilmington, the inevitable photo-enforced cameras.

--GreGen

Wilmington's Military Cutoff Road-- Part 1

In the last blog entry, I mentioned this road. I've been through the Wilmington area many times but am unfamiliar with the name, but obviously it is a major road with lots of traffic. And anyone who knows anything about Wilmington knows that there is lts of traffic--everywhere!!

From the June 10, 2009 Wilmington (NC) Star-News My Reporter "Why do they call it Military Cutoff?" by Ben Steelman.

I've also seen it called Military Cut-off Road.

It dates to World War II when Army vehicles used the route as a shortcut from Camp Davis (now Holly Ridge, NC) to Wrightsville Beach, bypassing downtown Wilmington.

Now, it is a major commercial thoroughfare with Mayfaire Town Center, Landfall Shopping Center, The Forum and other complexes. It has also become a major congestion problem.

--GreGen

Bits of War: Military Cutoff Road-- PH Survivor Dies-- First Pitch

1. MILITARY CUTOFF ROAD-- From the 9-11-13 Wilmington Star-News. The World War II Miliary Cutoff Road passed by by Mayfairz and Landfall.

2. PH SURVIVOR DIES-- James C. Beatty, 91, died Sept. 10th in Ithaca, NY.

3. FIRST PITCH-- From 7-28-13 Colorado Springs Gazette. Oldest Pearl Harbor survivor Jim Downing, 99, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the local minor league game. I wrote about this man back in August.

--GreGen