2741 UNIVERSITY DRIVE
Looking southeast, 1960
(Courtesy Wayne Henderson)
Per Ralph Rogers, there was a restaurant located on this site prior to the gas station above.
Looking southeast, 04.03.11
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Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
ROCKWOOD FOOD CENTER
Rockwood Food Center, 1951
(Courtesy Robby Delius)
Aerial, 1959
04.03.11
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Tuesday, June 28, 2011
FOREST HILLS
Oak Drive, 1926
Forest Hills was developed as part of a new wave of real estate development in the 1920s - one that already recognized that how people lived, worked, etc. had fundamentally changed with the incredible adoption of the automobile.
Much like Duke Park, Forest Hills was a geographically proximate suburb - although the houses and road patterns were different than those implemented in previous developments, the location was interconnected/adjacent to the earlier development of Morehead Hill and Lakewood. Unlike previous developments, and unlike Duke Park, there was a more self-contained plan to Forest Hills, with circuitous and circular drives, and the focus of the development on the nine-hole golf course and clubhouse at its center.
In 1917, WJ Griswold, JB Mason, WE Warren, and SP Mason incorporated the New Hope Realty Company. Griswold was an early insurance executive and mayor of Durham from 1910-1912. JB Mason was a cashier at the Citizens Bank. New Hope Realty hired Earl Sumner Draper to lay out the landscape architecture of Forest Hills in 1917. Draper began his career in Charlotte as a field supervisor for Boston planner John Nolen, who designed the 1200 acre Myers Park suburb in Charlotte. In 1917, Draper had left Nolen's firm to start his own firm - would become involved in laying out "hundreds" of neighborhoods in the south prior to WWII.
Their initial plan called for an ambitious development of 242 acres of farmland owned by SP Mason and WJ Griswold, extending from Pine Street (South Roxboro) west to the area past the bottomlands of Third Fork Creek along University Drive. The development was to have white and African-American sections, with the white section west of South Street, and the African-American section east of South Street, with segregated playgrounds. The white section was planned to contain 331 building lots, and the African-American section 115.
The initial developers went bankrupt, and the First National Trust Company bought the project in 1922. The scale of the project was reduced to 150 acres, and the African-American 'section' was eliminated. The New Hope Realty Co. was revived under the ownership of James O. Cobb and Fuller Glass. Cobb and Glass hired Winston-Salem-based architects Northup and O'Brien, who placed George Watts Carr as the head of their new Durham office. Carr designed several early houses as well as the clubhouse. (I speculate that he also designed the building on New Hope's "Store Lot".)
In 1923 the newspaper article= , “A Coming Suburb,” describes the development of Forest Hills:
“Forest Hills” is the name given to a 150 acre tract of land on the New Hope Valley road which a local real estate and investment company is opening and improving for public sale. Vickers Avenue and Duke Street extension run into the property and make it advantageously situated.
Located in a region of the surrounding country of Durham noted for its hills of undulating beauty the section bids fair to soon be hailed as the real suburb for residences of the City of Durham. Unlike many other cities of equal size or even smaller, Durham does not have an exclusive residential section and this project which is being opened up should provide such a section for the city.
Over five miles of streets and concrete sidewalks have already been laid and more paving is under construction. The section has not been outlined with form square blocks as is to be found in the central part of the city but for the most part the streets and avenues in the new sections have followed a natural course in outline that assures a scene of beauty and aesthetic charm. The residential lots are laid out in circular style surrounding a nine hole golf course which promoters say will be one of the best in the state. The lay of the land is natural[ly] conducive [with] excellent arrangements for golf grounds and with the building of a handsome club house and swimming pool the residents of the new park will have all of the privileges and advantages that can be provided.
. . . The developers are not making any stipulations as to the amount that shall be expended for homes, and the only requirements being made are that the homes shall be built at a stated distance from the roads to provide for lawns and walkways in front of the homes.
Durham county officials are supervising the paving of the New Hope Valley Road from the end of Vickers Avenue to the point of intersection with the Chapel Hill Durham boulevard with the consequence that when it is completed a new way will be opened to the public going to the University town . . . .
No amount of money is being spared to make Forest Hills one of the most beautiful, and interesting sections ever developed. . . . $7,500 has been spent in building concrete bridges. For grading sidewalks and main paving $100,000 is to be spent. Water and sewer connections will be made at a cost estimated at $65,000, while the company will spend approximately $22,000 for the club house and swimming pool and golf course which will be prepared for the pleasure of the Forest Hill property owners . . . .
The property of Forest Hills has not been placed on sale definitely until now. . . . Several home sites have already been sold in the section and six homes are at present under construction. George Watts Carr designed the homes that are now being built . . .
Setbacks were not the only requirement stipulated by the New Hope Realty Co. - aside from various other construction stipulations designed to keep a 'premium aesthetic', deeds for property in the new development also prohibited African-Americans from owning or residing in the properties except as domestic workers.
New Hope Realty filed for bankruptcy in 1929. The clubhouse and golf course were purchased at auction by John Sprunt Hill. Hill likely converted the golf course to park use by the early 1930s. He gave use of the clubhouse to his daughter-in-law, Ann, in starting the Calvert Method School in 1933.
Hill donated the former golf course and clubhouse to the city in 1938 to be used as a park and recreation center. The Calvert School moved to the former Watts house on South Duke Street. The pool became public; for some period of time, the clubhouse was used as a branch library.
Pool at the Forest Hills Clubhouse, 1950s.
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
Pool with playground in the background, 1950s.
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
Forest Hills, looking northwest from W. Forest Hills Boulevard towards Forestview St., 1945
The development of Forest Hills continued throughout the mid 20th century. The park was very popular; at times, the reason that it wasn't developed became clear.
"Rainstorm Floods Forest Hills Park, 08.05.67"
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
"Rainstorm Floods Forest Hills Park, 08.05.67"
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
"Rainstorm Floods Forest Hills Park, 08.05.67"
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
"Rainstorm Floods Forest Hills Park, 08.05.67"
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
"Rainstorm Floods Forest Hills Park, 08.05.67"
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
Forest Hills, same as 1945 shot above, 04.10.11
(Courtesy Herald-Sun)
The former clubhouse is, as of 2011, undergoing renovation by the City of Durham, 04.03.11
Oak Drive, 04.03.11
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Monday, June 27, 2011
FOREST INN
Looking east from the intersection of Vickers and University Drive, ~1938.
(Courtesy Gladys Glenn)
There are fun occasions when a piece of Durham history, although small, can completely surprise me. The Durham narrative, as with that of many cities, gets whittled down to such a tiny handful of rote histories of a place. Daily exposure to the most significant secondary sources, Durham County by Jean Anderson and the Historic Inventory, leaves me, after five years with the feeling - while we are fortunate to have both - of just how incomplete these are. This incompleteness is necessary when writing a book, and one of the great benefits of doing history online.
The Forest Inn represents one such piece of Durham's history - one of curious origin, and one that shone brightly for such a short period of time that it has disappeared from the collective memory and our written histories.
Gladys Glenn, who grew up next door and whose parents ran the restaurant, collected the history as she knows it (as she was an infant during its 6 year lifespan,) and I've pieced together the rest from primary sources.
It appears that the New Hope Realty Company, developers of Forest Hills, deeded the property to Gulf Refining Co. in June of 1926. Given that Gulf paid $12,000 for the property at the time (roughly $150K in current $,) my guess is that the building was already constructed. As the picture shows, this wasn't any ordinary commercial building of the time. And it was clearly, in 1925, owned by the New Hope Realty Company - and included at the northern boundary of the Forest Hills development. In the deed, it is referred to as the "Store Lot." 
1925 plat of the property for New Hope Realty.
Based on the architectural detail and style, as well as the landscape features, my guess is that this building was executed by New Hope Realty - perhaps along with the clubhouse, and then sold to Gulf Refining - in an effort to create a a nearby commercial presence for residents of Forest Hills. I'd be curious if it was designed by George Watts Carr.
It appears that Gulf may have operated this as a gas station between 1930-1931, but then is no longer listed. The "Dixie Pig Barbecue Stand" appears to have possibly been operating here during 1931-1933; city directories are confusing as to whether it was located in this building or actually in a stand next to the building.
By 1934, Cecil Smith was running the restaurant, which was then called the Forest Inn Barbecue.
1937 Sanborn map, showing the distinctive outline of the building facing the 'point' of South Duke and Vickers.
(Note that the roadway between the current southern terminus of South Duke and Vickers Ave. was South Duke in the early 20th century.
Looking west down University Drive from the front of the Forest Inn, ~1938
Interior with aquaria and flyswatter, looking out the front windows, ~1938
 |  |  |
Beer and the front of the Forest Inn, ~1938
 |  |
Matchbook front and back
For unclear reasons, the Forest Inn shut down in 1940. Gulf Refining tore down the building soon thereafter and built a more traditional service station on the site by 1941.
Gulf station at Vickers and South Duke Sts., looking north, 07.21.53
In 1955, Gulf purchased the lot just to the north of the gas station and tore down the house that had been built at 1409 Vickers (the white house visible above); it appears that soon thereafter they replaced the 1940s era station with another station.
That remains the building on this lot - now no longer a gas station, but an auto-oriented inspection/tire/repair business.
04.04.11
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Sunday, June 26, 2011
1304-1306 SOUTH DUKE STREET / UNIVERSITY DRIVE
1304 and 1306 South Duke Street.
Looking east-northeast on South Duke Street, now University Drive, ~1937
(Courtesy Gladys Glenn)
Gladys Glenn was kind enough to convey the history of the Forest Inn (coming up tomorrow,) which her parents ran during the 1930s, and her house next door at 1306 South Duke St. When not running the restaurant, her father was a teacher at East Durham Junior High. Gladys lived in the house until she graduated from high school. 
1306 South Duke St., 1937
(Courtesy Gladys Glenn)
Family in front of the house, 1939, looking across the street at the undeveloped riparian area around Third Fork Creek that would become Forest Hills Shopping Center
(Courtesy Gladys Glenn)
Family in front of 1306 S. Duke with 1304 in the background, looking east on South Duke.
(Courtesy Gladys Glenn)
Both houses were still standing in the mid-1950s, during the construction of Forest Hills Shopping Center, but they appear to have been torn down during the 1960s. The section of South Duke between Vickers and Lakewood became a part of University Drive sometime during this era.
The land the two houses sat on is now occupied by a seafood market.
04.04.11
Gladys and her family still own a tiny patch of land along the western edge of this parcel, upon which a big sycamore sits - I'd never honestly noticed it - although I'm sure I would notice if it was gone.
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Saturday, June 25, 2011
1212 SOUTH DUKE STREET / UNIVERSITY DRIVE
1200 Block of South Duke St. / University Drive, 08.05.67
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun Newspaper)
Although 1212 South Duke Street (now University Drive) was the site of a small home in the early to mid-20th century, I've had more interested emails regarding the 1950s-60s era Hardees which replaced that house. I'd have to spend some quality time with the city directories to know when it opened and closed, but the futuristic shape is partially visible in the above photograph (of a flood in the Third Fork Creek floodplain that is Forest Hills park/shopping center.) 
1212 South Duke Street / University Drive, 04.04.11
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Friday, June 24, 2011
Old Sears / Health Department Coming Down
06.24.11
With the first phase of the Human Services Complex complete, the County has begun to demolish the Old Sears and Roebuck building, built in 1947, that has served for many years as the Health Department.
06.24.11
06.24.11
06.24.11
06.24.11
It wasn't an easy building to really like, from my standpoint, nor an easy building to argue should or could be easily repurposed - it's car-oriented facade and minimal windows are where my sense of urban design clashes against my desire for historic preservation.
But there aren't many examples of the 1940s moderne architecture in Durham; while the loss of the 1942 bus station across the street was a more painful blow in this regard, the diminishing supply/examples of this era shouldn't go unappreciated. On the bright side, the building site won't be vacant lot or more parking; the remainder of the Human Services building will be built on the site.
502 WEST LAKEWOOD AVENUE
502 Lakewood Ave., 05.08.11
The most interesting thing about this building to me is the fact that the roof is level with the sidewalk on the west side - which generally doesn't seem like a good idea from a no-water-in-building perspective. While it was some kind of porn store for awhile, it has seemed abandoned for ~5 years now.
In 1960, it was home to Carolina Air Conditioning Co.
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424 WEST LAKEWOOD AVENUE
424 Lakewood Ave., 05.08.11
I've always loved this little building, and I've never been able to figure out whether it's occupied or not - at least without going up and knocking on the door, which I haven't done.
I didn't do extensive city directory research, but in 1960, "Mann's Market - grocery" is listed here.
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Thursday, June 23, 2011
Call for Donations
New posts appear below this one.
The push to the impending Big Switch to Open Durham / Endangered Durham 2.0 is on, and I'm putting out a call for donations. I'll try to spare you a public radio-like torrent of pleas to your RSS feed, but funding is short for the first stage of the project - which will get a functional 2.0 online, with all of the content from Endangered Durham uploaded:
Raised to date: $6100
Funds committed / expended to date: $6100.
Funds needed for launch: $0
A big thanks to all of you who made personal donations - I am very appreciative of your help with this project and support for Durham's history.
On the business side, a big thanks to Durham newcomer HTC, which donated $1000 of the above total after I helped them find historic pictures for their new offices. But only three other businesses have made a donation - Urban Durham Realty, Marsosudiro & Company, and CT Wilson Construction. If you're an employee or owner of one of the dozens/hundreds of businesses that I've answered questions for, provided pictures to, given advice to re: your building, etc., please try to make a contribution. If you're one of the many businesses that has used my photos and/or research in your business materials, or has just used Endangered Durham to answer questions germane to your business - please make a donation.
I'm very appreciative of the folks who have donated on the personal side, and the generosity you've shown. Just not that many people have done so. While ED gets ~1500 hits a day, about 20 people have donated money to the new project. If you appreciate the work I've done here, would like to see a better ED 2.0 get off the ground, and can afford to, please make a contribution.
Donate buttons are on the upper left sidebar. Donations over $100 are tax-dedcutible through Preservation North Carolina (top button.) Donations below $100 are welcome, but not tax-deductible (lower button.)
As a preview, I've posted a screenshot of the new ED in development, below. I hope to be able to launch the new site August 1st.
Many thanks to you all
- Gary
CARRINGTON STREET
Part of "The Bottoms" - the area between Carrington and Willard was primarily African-American, and impoverished. The small shotgun houses were an early focus of concern over bad housing conditions. I've written previously about the portion of Willard St. located in the Bottoms
Although the photo below was under the headline "Carrington Street Houses condemned," I wonder based on the above map if these are houses on Berman Alley instead. Note the relatively early date of 1949, however - the same year the Housing Act of 1949 was passed, which created Urban Renewal and widely expanded funding for housing projects.
"Carrington Street Houses Condemned", 12.21.49
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun Newspaper)
"Carrington Street Houses Condemned", 12.21.49
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun Newspaper)
It doesn't seem that these houses were actually cleared until much later, though - in the great demolishing of the 1960s.
Carrington St. itself was obliterated from the map with the extension of Blackwell St. to the south (from Morehead to Lakewood) in 1971.
Extension of Blackwell Street, 06.04.71. Two houses along the former ROW of Carrington St. can be seen in the background to the right of the street.
Below, a modern view of Blackwell - the path of Carrington in relation to the current street can be seen in the top overlay, but you can still see the 'crimp' in the sidewalk in the picture where the original street crossed. 
Carrington Street, 05.21.11
The gas station at Lakewood and Blackwell was originally located on Carrington St., which passed on the other (west) wide of the building.
711-713 Carrington Street, 12.12.73, with Carrington Street on its left, looking north from Lakewood
711-713 Carrington Street, now 220 West Lakewood, looking west from Blackwell
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