Wilmington's Famous "Dram Tree"-- Part 1: Pour One Out for the Old Dram Tree

From the February 23, 2020, Wilmington (NC) Star-News  "Pour One Out for the old Dram Tree" by Hunter Ingram.

The ancient bald cypress tree called the "Dram Tree" was once a much beloved landmark  of the Cape Fear River.  And, that was for centuries.

The 28-miles from the mouth of the Cape Fear River to Wilmington was always tricky and dangerous until modern dredging and efforts made it better.  But before that, you almost had to hold your breath.  And, of course, that would include those sleek blockade runners during the Civil War as well as the Union warships involved in the capture of the city after the fall of Fort Fisher.

Running aground on treacherous shoals was a definite possibility.

But in days of yore, the sight of the Old Dram Tree gave mariners a sign of relief for those coming up the river.  They had made it.

--Old B-Runner