History of Durham: from 1907 Directory

"Thirty years ago an insignificant village with a population of some five hundred. To-day a city of twenty thousand inhabitants; containing more wealth, larger manufacturing enterprises and greater school facilities than any other city in the State of North Carolina."

I found this Preface from the Durham Directory to be an interesting account of the history of Durham: considering Durham to be a "result" of the Civil War.

Directory accounts are provided by Durham County Library as part of the North Carolina Collection.

Found: First Tenants of 308 West Main

A search of the Durham Directory from 1903 reveals the business listed at 308 West Main to be Standard Mercantile Co. Here is the page from that Directory (click to enlarge). Earlier Directories do not list this address, and instead stop at 302 West Main (the corner of Market and Main). Perhaps the street didn't extend west past Market until 1903.

My research didn't find much about "Installment Houses" other than they appear to be loan companies for personal merchandise; unlike banks who loaned for business reasons. Would like to know more.

Raymond J. Davis was the proprietor of Standard Mercantile Co. and lived at 418 Warren. I tried to find more, but the business was gone from this location by 1905. I found a Raymond J. Davis listed as manager of Masters & Agee Co. of Charlotte, NC., some years later. Perhaps he continued moving south and west?

The 1905 Directory shows William J. Carter, an electrician, to be running a business in my building. Later in 1907, two business owners are listed at 308 West Main: Benjamin T. Tingen, a confectioner whose home was at 111 Jones; and Jacob H. Wheeler, a shoemaker who lived at 209 Morris.

I hope to find someone to run a title search for the land in these early years. That will complete some of these stories.

I DID discover the answer to what comes after "ELLIOTT" on the back of the building. Stay tuned.

Curb Appeal

(click images to expand)

Here is the current design plan for the new storefront. Ideas of interest to me:

• Downstairs storefront extended out to walkway, opposed to recessed in current design
• Symmetrical and clean appeal
• Offers maximum natural light into the downstairs space

Ideas worth exploring:

• Large area of windows may create maintenance challenges
• What awning, window shading is appropriate
• Offers maximum natural light into the downstairs space (is it too much?)

I'm a fan of the old-school awnings that roll out/retrack with a hand crank. Of course, I won't be responsible for that daily task. Would my street level tenants want the flexibility to affect the amount of light, while accepting the responsibility to move the raise/lower the awning as appropriate?

If it takes a village to raise a child, maybe that can apply to my building. I'd like your thoughts on the storefront. Please feel free to use the comment button and provide me yours.......

Contractors Interviewed

Hey mom, I enjoyed our conversation last night and am glad your able to read the blog.

Interviews with the 4 contractors ended yesterday. I met some good folks and feel as if each will bring something unique to the project. Each contractor is scheduled Friday to present their ideas & plans. Soon after we select a contractor, organize permits/dumpsters, and begin demolition. I'm looking forward to Friday. A contractor's experience will bring a needed perspective to our planning and design.

Juggling time off for the building project, plus immersing myself in a new project at work is an art I hope I'm performing with success on both sides.......