Monthly Archives: September 2013

This is a 1909 postcard showing Main St. Durham at the intersection with Corcoran. Much of the historical information for this month and next month comes from opendurham.org,  which is nothing less than spectacular with its impressive photos  as well as  thoroughly researched text. For your convenience you can even find on maps the locations of an incredibly large … Continue reading »

Five Points was the center of commercial activity during the 1910s and 20s. The flatiron building in the picture housed a drug store until the building burned and was demolished in 1929. To this day, the land remains vacant. The first photo is from 1917, the second was taken in the 1920s and the third is from 1947.  

The Citizens National Bank was built in 1911 and is seen here in a photo from the 1930s. Following a merger, it moved to the Hill Building (to be seen next month) in 1970, and the building was convereted to law offices. Unfortunately the arched, multi-panelled windows were replaced with stone. Currently unoccupied.  

The Bull Durham Plant was built in 1874 and remains to this day the oldest building in downtown Durham. American Tobacco ceased operations in 1987, and the facility remained vacant until a three-year renovation began in 2005. Now known as A.T. Campus, it hosts concerts and art exhibits and has numerous restaurants and other mercantile operations. Located next … Continue reading »