1893 was a very interesting time in the history of Durham. William T. Blackwell, the man known as the father of Durham was struggling. He had sold his shares in the William T. Blackwell Company a decade ago, opened up a bank that failed, and now has fallen on desperate times. You can see thisContinue reading “History Through Letters”
Category Archives: Hidden Treasures of Durham
What if?
Brodie Duke was definitely an outsider trying to find his way. Being the eldest son of a different mother, I’m sure he never felt like he fit in. But more than that, Brodie must have experienced PTSD after serving as a prison guard.
History Just Didn’t Happen
Durham History had it’s controversial ups and downs. Julian Shakespeare Carr is concerned what a cheap hotel would do for the city.
Treasured History
A gift described by Duke University Librarian Benjamin E. Powell as “one of the largest and most important manuscript collections to come to Duke University in recent years,”
Honoring a Home
Very few houses continue to stand that represent our city’s history and its deep seated roots. And now with the destruction of this magnificent house that stood so proud, we should pause and give respect to the loss of one of Durham’s finest jewels.
Durham’s Churches
I happened to be on the 27th floor of One City Center looking down upon the roofs of the buildings below and was taken back by the large churches in the distance. Four of the churches stood out the most, First Baptist, Duke Memorial United Methodist, Trinity Methodist, and Duke Chapel. I tried to getContinue reading “Durham’s Churches”
In Search of Bonnie Brae
As I have been searching out the history of Richard Harvey Wright, I’ve been amazed at the number of people who have shared their memories of this incredible house. In its time of glory, it was a true masterpiece. Initially, owned by Richard Harvey Wright, upon his death in 1929, he entrusted his sister Mary,Continue reading “In Search of Bonnie Brae”
A History of a House
Whitehall Terrace was built by my grandfather in 1930 for his wife Helen. Helen didn’t want to live at Bonnie Brae with her mother-in-law and my grandfather’s old aunt Nannie. Even though it was during the Great Depression, no expense was spared for Helen. My mother is the young girl sitting with her father, RichardContinue reading “A History of a House”
Behind the Scenes of Durham in 1890
Richard Harvey Wright and Julian Carr are up to something, but what, I’m not totally sure. There is something going on, and Julian Carr wants to make sure Richard Wright stays quiet about it. Theo Allen, an attorney representing Richard Wright, is preparing to take the Dukes to court. Apparently, since Richard left the W.Continue reading “Behind the Scenes of Durham in 1890”
A Proclamation
My father, James Robert Hawkins was mayor of Durham between 1971 and 1975. This was a turbulent time in the history of Durham, when the schools were integrated, Hope Valley was annexed into the city limits and the freeway divided Hayti. The development of the Research Triangle Park was a dream my father had, andContinue reading “A Proclamation”