If you are a Facebook user, you have surely seen “The 25 Random Things” about yourself. Well today the Wilmington Star News published 25 Random Things About Wilmington NC.

Here they are:

  1. I’m semi-famous. One of my several nicknames is Wilmywood and more than 300 films have been produced here since the 1980’s.
  2. I raised Henry Bacon, the architect of the Lincoln Memorial. And when he died, he was buried here.
  3. I’m getting fatter. My population has grown from 55,030 in 1990 to 90,330 in 2000. I’m expect to reach 99,781 next year.
  4. I’m not going to tell you my age, but let’s say George Washington dropped by one day and had supper with me.
  5. I’m really into the arts, ever since I was little. Oscar Wilde, Charlie Daniels, Claude Howell, Robert Ruark and others are all buddies. And just recently I’ve decorated with some new sculptures downtown.
  6. I love to go fishing. The state’s biggest flat head catfish was caught right here in the Cape Fear River. It was 78 pounds. The state’s biggest black drum was caught here, too. It weighed 100 pounds.
  7. I’m athletic, too. I’ve been home to Michael Jordan, Meadowlark Lemon, Sonny Jurgensen, Roman Gabriel, Althea Gibson, Trot Nixon.
  8. Sometimes I can be obsessive compulsive. Did you know there are exactly 19 seams in the bridge over Bradley Creek?
  9. I’m super smart. UNCW has 73 undergraduate degree programs and 32 graduate degrees. About 11,840 students attend the college. Cape Fear Community College’s student enrollment in credit programs topped 7500 in the fall 2007 semester.
  10. I don’t reveal my secrets to just anyone. Did you know miles of more than 100 year old underground tunnels criss cross in the streets downtown? They were originally drainage, but who knows what else happened down there.
  11. I don’t like to talk about my criminal past. But did you know Stede Bonnet, the gentleman pirate was captured here?
  12. One of the proudest moments in my life happened just last year when the nuclear fast attack submarine, USS North Carolina, was commissioned at my port.
  13. I love to party! Next time you get a chance, come on down to my NC Azalea Festival, Riverfest, Fourth of July Fireworks display over the battleship or lighting of the World’s Largest Christmas Tree. Those are good times, my friends.
  14. My parents had a hard time deciding what to name me. Originally, they were going to call me New Carthage. They they changed it to Liverpool, New Town, Newton and finally, thank goodness, Wilmington.
  15. Years ago there was a rumor that I had more fast food restaurants per capita than any other city in the Union. Well, I don’t know about that. But I sure can cook. All the movie stars complement me on my restaurants including Cafe Phoenix and Deluxe.
  16. I’m a tough old bird. I’ve survived a lot of hurricanes, held off German submarines during World War II, lived through race riots, doused huge fires and trudged through two feet of snow back in 1989. But I keep on truckin’.
  17. Lately I’ve been socializing with a lot of Northern friends. But I’ve always kept my deep Southern ways–sweet tea, magnolia blossoms in June, Civil War re-enactments and some darn good oysters.
  18. I’m a pretty likeable city, but I’ve kicked out a few blow-hards like Hazel, Bertha, Fran, Diana, Floyd and the list goes on.
  19. I’m super stylish, I’ve changed my looks over the years, from dirt roads and buggies to brick streets and trolley cars, then asphalt and speedsters. I move with the times. I’m starting to get rid of those unsightly power lines, too, and put in some modern underground ones.
  20. Don’t tell anybody. Sometimes I get dandruff. During the Spring you’ll find everything covered in yellow-green pine pollen. It’s embarrassing.
  21. I’m short but you’ll never guess how short. I only stand about 30 feet above sea level.
  22. I’ve served our country. One of North Carolina’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence, William Hooper, lived here.
  23. When it comes to love, I’m ruthless. Back in the 1700’s, I stole away the entire population of Brunswick Town. It’s just a State Historic site now. They loved me better anyway.
  24. Sometimes you might hear mysterious loud booms. Some people call it the Seneca Guns. But it’s really me having a tantrum.
  25. I love to spill the beans, the Wilmington Star News is the oldest published newspaper in North Carolina.

Thanks to Amy Hotz of the Wilmington Star News!