Once Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, it took a couple of years for it to reach Wilmington, but reach it did when a column of African American foot soldiers marched in after the fall of Fort Fisher in 1865.

Now these new Americans set to work building the cultural and social organizations needed to complete the community.

Library and Literary Societies were among the first, followed by benevolent and civic associations.  Soon there was a Chataugua movement, the United Order of Tents, Order of Good Samaritans, Patrons of Mercy and Love & Charity Benevolent Association, Odd Fellows and Masons, Elks Club, Boy Scouts, Boys Club, YMCA and YWCA.

On Christmas Day the John Canoe tradition featured celebrations that included masks and fanciful costumes and dancing in the streets.

But swimming in the new river was forbidden to all.  In July 1889 three black youngsters were given the alternative of taking a good switching at the hands of their parents, or a fine of $5.

Theater and performing arts began to appear, with many notables visiting the city, and many locals going on to enjoy national fame.

The first Shell Island Resort catered exclusively to African Americans, and the Steamer Wilmington carried excursions of church parishioners to Wrightsville Sound and Carolina Beach.

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