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”
Tag Archives: Durham History
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”
Durham History Told from the Grave
To me, the evolution of Durham started with John Ruffin Green and his cured bright leaf tobacco that placed Durham on the map. Malbourne Angier, a store owner, and a passionate citizen of our city made a huge impact on expanding Durham beyond the few store fronts on Main Street. And then there is W.Continue reading “Durham History Told from the Grave”
Durham in Lights
The year is 1913, and Richard Harvey Wright and Julian Carr have acquired a fifty year franchise to provide the city with electric lights and power to run the streetcars. Durham Traction Company has finally begun to see a surge in ridership and now with the license to provide power to the city, they decideContinue reading “Durham in Lights”
Hidden Women
Where did their stories go? As I have studied the men that were known to be the founding fathers of Durham, I began to wonder about the women that loomed in the shadows. We live in a different time where women can shine brightly, but in the late 1800’s, women in Durham were only knownContinue reading “Hidden Women”
1893 in Durham
The year is 1893 in Durham, North Carolina. Julian Shakespeare Carr is the president of the William T. Blackwell Company. This company, with its playful bull painted on the sides of buildings all over the United States, has dominated the industry since the early 1870’s. But there is shift in the winds. Just across theContinue reading “1893 in Durham”