Project Topic: Johnnie Mercer's Pier

For our 398 Doc project, Sarah, Kristen, Brody and I will be researching the collapse of Johnnie Mercer's Pier in 1996 after being pounded by several hurricanes, as well as the pier's rebuilding process. We feel that this topic is very relevant to anyone who either lives or vacations in Wilmington, because everyone around knows what Johnnie Mercer's Pier is; however, many people do not realize the history that lies behind it. The original pier dated back to the 1930's, and after it fell the pier was nonexistent until 2001. This topic has great local appeal, but it also has a broader appeal because destruction is a topic that reaches all hurricane victims. Many piers in North Carolina alone have suffered similar fates. Furthermore, Johnnie Mercer's Pier is proof that while hurricanes may cause destruction, it is always possible to recover and rebuild.

In 1996, after being hit by Hurricanes Bertha and Fran, the original Johnnie Mercer's wooden pier collapsed. Because it had been around since 1933, the pier was a landmark that Wilmington locals wanted restored. Rebuilding did not began until 1999 due to legal and financial setbacks, but the pier was finally reopened in 2001. This time, the pier was constructed out of more substantial concrete and steel to withstand future blows. When it first reopened, visitors had to make a donation to fish on or even walk down the new pier to help cover the costs of rebuilding. I personally can remember as recently as 2004 having to pay to walk the pier, so this story is relevant even to someone who did not come to Wilmington until several years after the reconstruction was completed.

Our group feels that this will not only be an interesting project to research and put together, but also that we will not have too much trouble tracking down sources for interviews or old photographs of Johnnie Mercer's Pier. In our research already, we have found photos of the original pier as well as photos of the pier after it fell and the new pier's construction. We will ourselves be taking photographs of the new pier, and we feel that the businesses around the pier will be great places to look for interview contacts. Many of the business owners may have been around at the time all this took place, and they may have even participated in the rebuilding process. Johnnie Mercer's Pier is a landmark to the Wilmington area, and we think it's reconstruction will make a strong and relevant documentary topic for this class.

Posted by Meghann