James E. L. Wade

Attended U.S. Conference of Mayors

James E.L. Wade served two terms as Wilmington mayor, first at the tail end of the 1940s, and later after fellow council member Dan Cameron’s term in 1958 until 1960. A commissioner of public works in the 1930s, Wade played a role in getting money from the Public Works Administration for the renovations for Thalian Hall, and for creating the 20th century Wilmington phenomenon, the World’s Largest Christmas Tree. The same organization was responsible for creating Legion Stadium on Carolina Beach Road. The James Wade Scholarships at UNCW are named in honor of Wade.