Honoring Our Roots

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Honoring Our Roots A page dedicated to the history of Wallace, North Carolina

Steve and Myrtle Gowan opened Gowan Drug Store in 1944 on West Norwood Street. In 1963, they moved across the street to...
08/09/2026

Steve and Myrtle Gowan opened Gowan Drug Store in 1944 on West Norwood Street. In 1963, they moved across the street to a new more modern store at 116 N Norwood Street, offering prescriptions, merchandise and lunch counter. The store eventually closed and Graybar Chiropractic purchased the building in the early 2000's and has been at the location since then.

WSLE AM 1400 first signed on in May 1953, founded by Harry Kramer and operated by Duplin Broadcasting. The call letters ...
07/19/2026

WSLE AM 1400 first signed on in May 1953, founded by Harry Kramer and operated by Duplin Broadcasting. The call letters stood for "World's Largest Strawberry Exchange," honoring Wallace's proud strawberry heritage.

An FM station was added in 1980, and later changed its call letters to WZKB 94.3. The sister stations were the voice of the community, broadcasting local news, emergency information, and Wallace-Rose Hill Bulldog football with legendary play-by-play from Robert Boone and Allen Williams. Many local residents also served as DJs and on-air hosts over the years.

Over the years the station changed ownership several times. After 70 years broadcasting, WSLE AM closed and its license expired in May 2023. WZKB is now MIA 94.3, broadcasting Spanish contemporary hits.

Below are photos of the original WSLE studios and the later facility located on Stallings Road. Pizza Hut sits where the original broadcasting station was.

The Wallace Municipal Airport was originally constructed in the early 1950s at its current location to accommodate large...
06/17/2026

The Wallace Municipal Airport was originally constructed in the early 1950s at its current location to accommodate larger aircraft serving J.P. Stevens. In 1979, the Town of Wallace annexed and took over operations of the airport. It was officially renamed Henderson Field Airport in honor of U.S. Congressman David Henderson, whose efforts were instrumental in the airport's growth and development.

The airport's original terminal, pictured below, was later replaced by the current terminal facility. In 2023, the airport was renamed Wallace-Pender Airport to better reflect its location and regional service area.

Today, the airport is undergoing significant improvements, including a runway extension to 5,500 feet, construction of a parallel taxiway, installation of new runway lighting, and development of a new terminal building. Plans call for the new terminal to be named in honor of Congressman Henderson, continuing his legacy at the airport.

This weekend, Wallace-Pender Airport will celebrate its 72nd anniversary with a Fly-In featuring aircraft displays, food trucks, live music, and a car show. We invite everyone to come out and celebrate the rich history and exciting future of this important community asset.

Have you ever heard of Topsy Turvy and wondered where it was located in Wallace or how it got its name?Traveling north o...
06/07/2026

Have you ever heard of Topsy Turvy and wondered where it was located in Wallace or how it got its name?

Traveling north on U.S. Highway 117 from Pender County, near the point where Highway 11 splits off, stood a well-known roadhouse called Topsy Turvy. Built by Kenneth Brooks in 1938, it became a popular gathering place and entertainment venue for local teenagers and residents alike.

Over the years, the building served many purposes, including a gas station, grill, jukebox dance hall, and later The Lamp Post Restaurant. In the photo below, the building appears red, although its original exterior was painted white The building was torn down in the early 90s

Built in 1923, the Margolis building was home to Margolis & Liberman department store. It would later become Liberman's...
05/16/2026

Built in 1923, the Margolis building was home to Margolis & Liberman department store. It would later become Liberman's and then Benjamin's. The building was revitalized after falling in disrepair in 1995. It is currently home to Art of Hope, The Little French Hen and apartments upstairs. Pictures show building to the left, looking west down Main Street in 1939 and the 1950s.

The Maurice Brady Building downtown was once home to Turner's clothing store. The building is now part of Johnson Furni...
05/09/2026

The Maurice Brady Building downtown was once home to Turner's clothing store. The building is now part of Johnson Furniture's showroom.

Next door to Townsend's is what is now the Blessings Store and This Little Pig. Originally built as the Wallace Dry Goo...
03/29/2026

Next door to Townsend's is what is now the Blessings Store and This Little Pig. Originally built as the Wallace Dry Goods Company, it became Kramer's Department Store in the 1930s. The store would expand into the building to the left in 1949, when the Wanoca Theatre closed. This was the second location for the Wanoca Theatre. The theatre was originally located on SE Railroad Street.

Across the street downtown we look at Townsend Auto Parts, one of the oldest businesses in town. Built in 1912 by WF M...
03/22/2026

Across the street downtown we look at Townsend Auto Parts, one of the oldest businesses in town. Built in 1912 by WF Murphy for general merchandise it has been the home of Townsend Auto Parts since 1933. Opened by DB Townsend after losing his job at Brown Motor Company when they closed after the Great Depression. Business is still owned and operated by the Townsend family today. Building is part of the Wallace Commercial Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

Heading Downtown This month. First up 120 W Main Street. Former hardware store for T.Q. Hall Mercantile Co. Oldest bri...
03/15/2026

Heading Downtown This month. First up 120 W Main Street. Former hardware store for T.Q. Hall Mercantile Co. Oldest brick building in town built in 1903. Currently home to Farrior's Flooring & Interiors since 1981.

A final look at CW Dobbins, then and now
02/16/2026

A final look at CW Dobbins, then and now

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120 Municipal Drive
Wallace, NC
NORTHCAROLINA

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