Thanks to the generosity of one forward-thinking man—Champion McDowell Davis—you now have the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional retirement lifestyle at Plantation Village. This is the fascinating story of the man affectionately known as “Champ.”

From riches to rags. The story begins with Champ’s mother, Cornelia Nixon, during her childhood in antebellum Wilmington. As the daughter of the prominent Nicholas Nixon, Cornelia divided her time between their lovely town home and the family’s 4,680-acre Porters Neck Plantation. Following the Civil War, she married Thomas Davis and moved to a poor farmstead in western North Carolina … a far cry from her wealthy upbringing.

A humble beginning for little Champ. As the fourth child in the Davis family, Champ knew nothing but hard times. Indeed, the children went barefoot during warm months because there was only enough money to buy one pair of winter shoes. Around Champ’s 11th birthday, his parents finally gave up on farming, moved back to Wilmington and opened a boarding house … utilizing the fine hospitality skills Cornelia learned as a privileged youngster. Yet, there still wasn’t enough money to make ends meet. So, after only three years of formal education, Champ dropped out of school at age 14 and began working as a messenger boy for the local railroad.

Railroading to philanthropy … a new passion. Self-taught and highly motivated, Champ worked his way up the ladder. In 1942, after 49 years on the job, he became the president of Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company in Wilmington … ultimately making a profound impact on the railroad industry throughout the country.

Upon his retirement, Champ became consumed with the idea of providing bright futures for the area’s senior citizens. Dissatisfied with the living conditions offered to seniors at that time, he established the Champion McDowell Davis Charitable Foundation, directing funds toward creating a positive living environment for seniors in the Wilmington area.

Champ’s vision takes shape on Porters Neck Plantation. Having acquired a large section of Porters Neck Plantation through inheritance and purchase from other heirs, Champ set his sights on a choice 90-acre tract of the property. In 1962, he planted 83,000 pine seedlings with the vision of creating a pine forest setting strictly for residential, recreational and health-related use—forever protecting the land from commercialism and industrial growth.

The first jewel on the landscape came in 1966 with the dedication of the Cornelia Nixon Davis Health Care Center—setting new standards for senior care. Even after Champ’s death in 1975, at age 95, the Center flourished and continues to do so today.

Plantation Village … the next logical step. In keeping with Champ’s vision to open up new avenues for retirees, the Foundation set aside 25 acres for the development of Plantation Village—dedicated in 1988 as the first continuing care community in the Wilmington area. Just as the pine seedlings thrived in the natural environment, retirees quickly discovered the beauty of an active retirement lifestyle at Plantation Village.

Plantation Village today. After several successful expansions, Plantation Village now occupies 56 acres of mature trees surrounding Blue Heron Pond. The community continues to thrive under management by Life Care Services LLC (LCS). With nearly four decades of experience, LCS is the nation's leading and most progressive force in the senior living industry, serving 23,000 residents daily in over 80 communities nationwide. Plus, Plantation Village has the dedicated guidance of our Board of Directors comprised of local business, medical and community volunteers.