History

The property that is now chandler’s wharf was originally owned by a Colonel F.W. Kerchner. Kerchner was born in Germany in 1829 and later moved to the Baltimore, Md. Area. Col. Kerchner was in command of the company that affected the capture of John Brown and his group following the raid on the Harper’s Ferry armory. Coincidentally, Kerchner’s immediate superior during this historic confrontation was Lt. Col soon to be General Robert E. Lee. After the Civil War Kerchner made his way to Wilmington and made his residence at the Governor Dudley Mansion that sits on the corner of Front and Nun streets. The warehouses and docks that he and his business partners operated here for the remainder of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century dealt with a variety of goods. However, the bulk of the products were naval stores; a large part of this areas economy during this time. Important in the production and operation of wooden vessels the products are—tar and pitch, which were used as waterproofing agents; and turpentine, a solvent still in use today. (Naval stores are also terribly flammable which probably had to do with a quite serious fire that occurred here on the wharf in September of 1874 and caused over $120,000 in damage.)After the death of Mr. Kerchner in 1910 the property went through numerous owners until the property was purchased in 1977 by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wright Jr. The first restaurant on the property was The Pilot House, which opened its doors in the spring of 1978. After an extensive remodeling in 2005 its river deck bar has one of the best views of the Cape Fear River in town. The Pilot House is also home to many works of the artist Claude Howell (1915-1997.) The building which houses Elijahs was originally a maritime museum. Many of the rare paintings, ship models, and nautical artifacts remain on display in the restaurant today. Elijahs was founded in 1984 and the Oyster Bar with its outdoor patio opened in 1988. We hope you enjoy your dining experience with us and come back soon.