Important Update: Demolition Summit

The "Code Enforcement Summit" is scheduled for May 1st at 6pm-7:30 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers. I would like to ask all of you who are concerned about losing our historic housing stock to a demolish-first-and-refuse-to-ask-questions city department to please be there if you can - I feel strongly that this may be our one chance to try to make headway against a department that refuses to acknowledge the costs of demoliton to our community. Have no doubt - the department is stacking the deck; they sought no input on a date, choosing one that is the same night as a major Preservation Durham event. I will be flying back to town and miss much of the meeting. (NIS left me off the "invited guest" list anyway - think that was an oversight?)

In short, the tone of the release says it all:

"Fast Facts
· The City of Durham is hosting a code enforcement public forum to help educate residents and property owners on code enforcement and legal processes, the removal of unsafe structures as well as preservation and revitalization efforts.

· City Manager Patrick Baker will open the forum and the City's Department of Neighborhood Improvement Services will provide handout materials along with a slide presentation. After the presentation, a moderator will facilitate community feedback and a question-and-answer session for attendees."

No, NIS, we don't need to be 'educated'. Perhaps you should, for once, listen before presuming that the public is ill-informed.

Please make it if you possibly can - I cannot stress, in my view, how important this is to the future of the landscape in our city. I do not want us to look back on this time in the same way we look back at the East End, the West End, Hayti, McMannen St., Dunstan, Brookstown, Morehead Hills... every neighborhood that was demolished in the 1960s because a stubborn city government decided that demolition was the way to 'fix' Durham.

125 ORANGE ST.

Looking southwest from the Post Office Site, 1934.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)

125 Orange St. was a small commercial establishment just to the north of Markham Jones "retail grocers". By mid-century, it has become the "Duke Sport Shop." Think this was before Duke cracked down on their trademark?


Looking northwest, 1963.

Sometime in the 70s-80s, the first floor of this building was 'colonialized' with shutters, a pedimented doorway - etc. - but the second floor is intact.


Looking west, 2007.

111-123 ORANGE STREET

Orange St. was, as the name implies, once a street - with older commercial structures along the western side of the street.


Above, a fuzzy view of the western facades of Orange St. - behind First Baptist Church, 1924.

Below, the view from December 1963, looking northwest on Orange St. Only a portion of 111-113-115 is visible on the left, but the Markham Jones Company building (119-123) is fully shown. This was evidently a grocery store. Incidentally, notice that the flag is at half-mast after Kennedy's assassination.


Below, another view looking west from Rigsbee, though a parking lot. Only the northern portion of 111-113-115 is again visible.


Sometime in the 1970s, modernization struck Orange St. in a big way. While 111 was relatively unchanged, 113-115 recived a pretty nasty facade, and some bad replacement windows hit the Markham Jones Company (along with a modern-style first floor facade.)


111 Orange - nicely restored.


113-115 Orange, which bears little resemblance to the original.


119-123 Orange.

Overall, Orange St. would do well with elimination of the big planters - similar to the ones just removed from Main St. - and a return to a normal streetscape.

104-106 WEST PARRISH

The buildings at 104 and 106 West Parrish St. were constructed in 1908 and 1909, respectively.


106 West Parrish rendering


West Parrish from Orange St., looking northwest, 1922.


A bird's-eye view of Parrish Street, looking northwest, 1924.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

106 West Parrish, the brick building on the northwest corner of Orange St. and West Parrish, was built by William P. Clements for his office. According to a publication by the Merchants' Association, he was "an extensive dealer in real estate."

108 West Parrish St., immediately to the west of the Clements building, was built by the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association to provide additional office space for their growing company.


Above, a view of the upper floors, looking northeast, 1923.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

NC Mutual soon took over the Clements building as well for their district office. 106 West Parrish housed the Reformer Publishing Company, which printed the Durham Reformer and the NC Mutual company newspaper The North Carolina Mutual

By the 1950s, Rose's Furniture had moved into these storefronts.


Looking northeast, 1960
(Courtesy Duke Archives)


Looking northwest, 1963. Orange St. is on the left, N. Mangum on the right. A partial view of the side of the Clements building is visible past Boone Drugs.

Below, a view of both buildings, 1962.


Rose's furniture had closed by the 1970s

Looking northwest, 1978.

Today, 106 West Parrish has been boarded/vacant for some time, but it has been purchased by Center Studio Architecture. 108 West Parrish contains both businesses and residence(s?).

Looking northwest, 2007

116 WEST PARRISH

116 West Parrish was built between 1906 and 1910 as the remainder (western portion) of the 100 block of West Parrish developed subsequent to NC Mutual.


Looking northeast, 1911. The building appears to have a sign that says "_ Soda".
(Courtesy Duke Archives)


A view of Parrish Street, looking northwest, 1924.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

By mid-century, this building had become Ferrell's Watch Hospital.

Looking northwest, 1965
(Courtesy Durham County Library)

During the 1970s, a typical, if somewhat belated, facade covering was appiled.


It was not removed until a few years ago; the building has been renovated and contains offices for the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development.

Looking northwest, 2007.

Quick Update: Downtown Charrettes

Fairly belatedly, DDI has managed to figure out venues and times for next weekend and the following weekend's downtown master planning charrette. The 'key stakeholders' (Greenfire, Capitol, etc.) have already been interviewed - this is your chance to give your input as to how downtown would best meet the needs of the public.

April 28th
8:30a-4:30p
Baldwin Building, Ground Floor
109 West Main St. (near Main and Mangum)
Lunch Provided

May 12th
8:30a-4:30p
Baldwin Building, Ground Floor
Lunch Provided

NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL/ MECHANICS AND FARMERS

North Carolina Mutual Insurance Co. was established in 1898 as the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association by John Merrick, Dr. AM Moore, PW Dawkins, DT Watson, WP Pearson, EA Johnson, and Dr. James E Shepard. This coalition of men appears to have grown out of the Grand United Order of the True Reformers, a mutual-benefit society founded in 1881 by William Washington Browne. John Merrick, a member of the True Reformers, helped form the Royal Knights of King David with John Wright, WA Day, JD Morgan, and TJ Jones. As was common in the 19th and early 20th century, fraternal organizations and 'friendly societies' were the source of life, burial, and health insurance. Although the sources I've looked at seem unclear, the Royal Knights of King David were evidently not financially successful in the insurance business, but the relationships therein formed the seed of the establishment of the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association.

John Merrick had been a successful barber in Raleigh, and was evidently, in part, persuaded to move to Durham by Washington Duke, Julian Carr, and WT Blackwell. Once in Durham, he established a successful barbershop business as well as a real estate business - evidently assisted by a loan from Julian Carr. Dr. Aaron Moore had moved to Durham in 1888 to begin his medical practice - the first African-American physician in Durham. CC Spaulding was a nephew of Dr. Moore and became first an agent for the company, and then, quickly, chief of agents.

The company struggled initially, and the first death claim of $40 necessitated an additional capital infusion from the stockholders to keep the company afloat. The initial financial troubles of the company caused all organizers except for Merrick, Spaulding, and Moore ("The Triumvirate") to resign. However, the three men were successful in keeping the business afloat, and "using sound scientific principles" building a prosperous company.

The insurance company was first located in Dr. Moore's office on Main St., at the site of the "old courthouse". Parrish St. was transitioning from tobacco warehouses to commercial structures.


Looking northeast, 1905.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

In 1906, the NC Mutual and Provident Assn. built their own office building, just to the right of the Christian-Harward building in the above picture.


Looking northeast from Parrish St., 1911.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

The insurance company offices were located on the second floor, while the first floor was rented to a shoe store and a clothing store. By 1907, the principals had started Mechanics and Farmers bank, located in the same building.

Both the insurance company and bank were quite successful. John Merrick was the first president; after his death in 1919, Dr. Aaron Moore became president. In 1921, the company had grown to such an extent that the existing building on Parrish St. was not large enough. It was demolished, and an impressive neoclassical revival building - similar in style to the First National Bank building at W. Main and Corcoran - was errected in its place. The six-story structure was designed by local architects Rose & Rose.


A view of Parrish Street, looking northwest, 1924.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)


A view of the North Carolina Mutual building, looking northeast, 1920s.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

Mechanics and Farmers Bank was located on the first floor, Bankers Fire Insurance Company (organized as a separate division in 1920) on the second floor, and NC Mutual the remaining four floors and the basement.

After Dr. Moore died in 1923, CC Spaulding became president, a post he would hold for the following 29 years.

Above, two views of the building - the one on the left from the 1920s, the one on the right from the 1930s. Note in the second that the Christian-Harward building next door has added a third story.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)

CC Spaulding built an ever more successful company, as did the presidents following his death in 1952. By the 1960s, the insurance company had outgrown its Parrish St. building as well.


Above, a view of the first floor of the NC Mutual building, 1963. The original windows had been replaced by jalousie windows.

NC Mutual purchased Four Acres, BN Duke's former mansion, and constructed a 12-story international-style structure in its place in 1965. While the insurance company moved to this large new structure, Mechanics and Farmers Bank remained in the original building on Parrish St. The "North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co." lettering on the facade was replaced by "Mechanics and Farmers Bank." The original awnings and entrances were removed - the two side entrances were filled, and a modern, single canopy entrance was put on the building.

At some point later - I'm not sure when, the building underwent restoration, including replacement of the jalousie windows with more historically appropriate sash windows. Unfortunately, the restoration did not include the original entrance.


Looking northeast, 2007

118 WEST PARRISH / CHRISTIAN-HARWARD

118 West Parrish St. is the oldest building remaining on the north side of the 100 block of Parrish St. It was built sometime before 1905 as a 2-story structure.


Looking east-northeast, 1905. Parrish St. is to the left, and 118 West Parrish is the rightmost structure in the row, with 3 sets of 3 windows. To its right is a large frame warehouse, which was the Mangum warehouse.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

During the early 20th century, the remainder of the block was developed with commercial structures, such that 118 W. Parrish was mid-block.


Looking northwest, 1924. 118 West Parrish is just to the left of the significantly taller NC Mutual building.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

A third story was added to the building sometime after 1924. I'm not sure when this became the Christian-Harward Furniture company, but it certainly was by mid-century.


Looking west down Parrish St., the Christian-Harward sign is visible on the right.
(From "Durham: A Pictorial History" by J. Kostyu.)


Above, the view looking northwest, 1963.

By the late 1960s, the front facade of this building was covered with a false front, which stayed on until several years ago (unfortunately, no picture.) This building was renovated, I believe by Carl Webb ~3-4 years ago now.)

105-125 WEST PARRISH

Aside from the previously featured Nancy Grocery and 119-121 N Mangum (the two ends of the block) the south side of the 100 block of W. Parrish St. seems to have been rarely photographed.

The Parrish St. side of the block extending through to W. Main St. was also badly damaged in the fire of 1914.


Looking west, 1914; the south side of the street is on the left. (I had not realized what an impressive terminating vista the Academy of Music once was at the west end of Parrish St. until seeing this picture.) Notice the brick detailing towards the top of the facade of the leftmost structure.
(From "Images of America: Durham" by Steve Massengill)

Strucutures were replaced/rebuilt, as they were on the Main St. side. Some, like 118-20 West Main extended through to the W. Main St. side.

In 1923, the businesses in these buildings were:

105: Upchurch O C & Co
105 1/2: Ford & Co
United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America
107: Tillman R C
Parrish St Barber Shop
109: Durham Book & Stationery Co
111: Rawls-Knight Company (extending through from West Main St.)
111 1/2: King and Co. (loans)
113-117: Pollard Bros
117 1/2: Hill & Co
119: Durham Seed House Inc
121-121 1/2: Woolworth F W & Co
123: Ellis Stone & Co
125: Kramer H M Tob Co Inc


Looking west, 1940s.
("Durham: A Pictorial History" by J. Kostyu.)


Looking from 111 West Parrish west, 01.31.49 - the line is to get license plate renewals / pay fines at the Carolina Motor Company / AAA, at 111 W Parrish.


"Fines for Auto Tags" 01.31.53


"Fines for Auto Tags" 01.31.53
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun)


A closer view of the facades, same shot as above - 01.31.53
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun)

The Nancy Grocery(127-137 West Parrish) and 125 West Parrish were destroyed with the Geer Building in 1972


Looking south, 1972

117-123 West Parrish, last used as the extension of Woolworth's through to this block, was destroyed by the city in 2001.


117-123 West Parrish
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun)


Demolition of 117-123 West Parrish, 2003.

A fire ravaged 115 W. Parrish St./120 West Main St. in 2003 as well.



The result is a block diminished.

Looking west, 2007.

Greenfire owns 2 of these structures, and I hope they are a high priority for renovation. Remember that brick detail?


Looking southwest, 2007.

This structure, although modified, appears to be one which survived the 1914 fire.

Update, 2009:

The most recent renderings by Greenfire shows them preserving at least the facades of 113-115 West Parrish St., with a large glass and metal shiny thing overhead.

Revitalization quote of the day...

"DDI subscribes to the so-called 'Disney Model' of keeping downtown clean and beautiful."
(From DDI's letter to city about why downtown's residents need to pay a special tax. Reported in today's Herald-Sun.)

I've heard plenty of people grouse about corporate groups wanting to 'Disney-fy' downtown, but I'm sort of surprised that DDI so honestly proffers Disney's Main St. as their ideal. Probably not the best communications move.

FIRE STATION #1

The home of the "Golden Belt Hose Company", a primarily volunteer firefighting squad, was constructed at the intersection of Holloway and Mangum Streets between 1888 and 1893, likely in 1890, on land adjacent to the E.J. Parrish tobacco warehouse.


Fire Station #1, probably around 1900.
(Courtesy University of North Carolina Library)


Fire Chief Dennis Christian in front of the Fire Station.
(Courtesy Duke RMBC - Wyatt Dixon Collection)

By the 1910s, the Mangum St. side of the building had been remodeled with large doorways to allow motorized trucks to move in and out of the station.


Above, the Italianate Fire Station around 1910, and Company #1 demonstrating their motorized equipment, which was replacing horse-drawn equipment that was not fully phased out until 1918.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)



Above, the Sanborn map from 1893, showing the fire department at the intersection of Mangum and Holloway. (spelled "Hollaway" here)

Below, an earlier view, from around 1905, looking east from the newly constructed Trust Building. Parrish St. is to the left, and the towers of First Baptist Church, Fire Station #1 (with its weathervane and windsock), and Trinity Methodist Church in the background. The Parrish warehouse is the low brick structure to the right of the Fire station (it looks a bit strange - I think two pictures were imperfectly spliced.)

(Courtesy Duke Archives)


The fire company in 1922. Commercial structures along Holloway to the left and the back of commercial structures facing Parrish St. are to the right.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)

Below, a view from the same era, showing the Rogers Drug Co. and First Baptist Church.



In 1924, the original fire station was torn down, and a new one designed by Milburan and Heister was constructed on the same spot.


Milburn and Heister rendering of the new station.
(Courtesy Duke Rare Book and Manuscript Collection - Wyatt Dixon Collection)

Below, the view looking northwest over the buildings on Parrish St., with the First Baptist Church on the left. The foundation and first-floor walls are in place of the new building.


(Courtesy Duke Archives)

The new fire station bore some resemblance to the original, but reflected a more typical 1920s appearance, with Craftsman-style elements such as exposed rafter tails as well as multipane windows and doors. The doors were still side-hinged (swinging outward).

(Courtesy Durham County Library)

By 1960, the doors had been replaced with roll-up rather than swing-out doors.

(Courtesy Durham County Library)


Fire engine exiting station #1, looking north, 09.20.54
(Courtesy the Herald-Sun Newspaper)

Below, an aerial view from the early 1960s showing Fire Station #1 in context.


By 1964, a new fire station #1 was built at Cleveland and Morgan Sts. and this fire station was left empty. It was purchased and converted into offices in 1969 by Gerard Tempest, who had earlier built The Villa in Chapel Hill out of parts of Harwood Hall and Four Acres.


The old station under renovation, 02.14.69
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)

Which it remained through the later decades of the 20th century.


Former fire station #1, 1980s.
(Courtesy Durham County Library)

This is another Greenfire property, in the midst of renovation during 2007-2008 in conjunction with 107 East Parrish St. and the Rogers drugstore.


Looking east, 2007.