History

The W. T. Bannerman House at 120 Walnut Street was the residence of William Tate Bannerman (1836 - 1903), a native of Pender County; and wife, Sarah Grady (1862 - 1945). He was clerk and probate judge of the Superior Court of Pender County for fifteen years prior to purchasing this property. His wife was the daughter of Atlas Grady, a former New Hanover County commissioner. Judge Bannerman became successful in large real estate interests in the city, leaving an estate of about $25,000 at his death.

In 1899, he engaged John C. Stout to build four two-story and one, one-story rental cottages adjacent to his Walnut Street house. In 1939, E.B. Bugg, owner of the Wilmington Hotel at the southeast corner of Front and Walnut streets, purchased the property from the Bannermans and razed the houses to make way for a new Art Moderne style Union Bus Terminal and restaurant, designed by George D. Brown of Charleston, West Virginia and constructed by Herbert Cavanaugh of Wilmington. The terminal, built amidst several car dealerships in what was known as "automobile row," served three bus lines: Atlantic Greyhound, Queen City, and Seashore Transportation, and was in use until a new terminal was placed in service, in August 1970, further north at Front and Harnett streets. The Art Moderne building was subsequently occupied by a clothing store, but in 1983, after imposing a 60-day delay in demolition, the Wilmington Historic District Commission approved razing the old bus station.