National Register Listings in Durham County, North Carolina
American Tobacco Company Manufacturing Plant
Bassett House
Bennett Place State Historic Site
Biddle, Mary Duke, Estate
Blacknall, Richard D., House
Bright Leaf Historic District
Bull Durham Tobacco Factory
Bullington Warehouse
Burch Avenue Historic District
Carr, Johm C. and Binford, House
City Garage Yard and Fire Drill Tower
Clark and Sorrell Garage
Cleveland Street District
College Heights Historic District
Cranford-Wannamaker House
Crowell House
Dillard-Gamble Houses
Downtown Durham Historic District
Duke Homestead and Tobacco Factory
Duke Memorial United Methodist Church
Durham Cotton Mills Village Historic District
Durham Hosiery Mill
Durham Hosiery Mills Dye House
Durham Hosiery Mills No. 2-Service Printing Company Building
East Durham Historic District
Emmanuel AME Church
Ephphatha Church
Erwin Cotton Mills Company Mill No. 1 Headquarters Building
Fairntosh Plantation
Forbus, Wiley and Elizabeth, House
Forest Hills Historic District
Foster and West Geer Streets Historic District
Golden Belt Historic District
Golden Belt Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Greystone
Hampton-Ellis Farm
Hardscrabble
Hill, John Sprunt, House
Hillside Park High School
Holloway Street District
Holloway Street Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Holloway, Kinchen, House
Hope Valley Historic District
Horton Grove Complex
Lakewood Park Historic District
Leigh Farm
Liberty Warehouse Nos. 1 and 2
Little River High School
Mangum, Bartlett, House
Meadowmont
Morehead Hill Historic District
Morehead Hill Historic District (Boundary Increase)
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company Building
North Durham County Prison Camp (Former)
North Durham-Duke Park District
O'Brien, William Thomas, House
Pauli Murray Family Home
Pearl Mill Village Historic District
Pegram House
Poland, George, House
Powe House
Russell School
Scarborough House
Scott and Roberts Dry Cleaning Plant, Office, and Store
Smith Warehouse
St. Joseph's African Methodist Episcopal Church
Stagville
Stokesdale Historic District
Tilley, Marcus, House
Trinity Historic District
Trinity Historic District (Boundary Increase II)
Trinity Historic District (Boundary Increase)
Umstead, Adolphus W., House
Umstead, D.C., Store and House
Venable Tobacco Company Prizery and Receiving Room
Venable Tobacco Company Warehouse
Watts and Yuille Warehouses
Watts Hospital
Watts-Hillandale Historic District
West Durham Historic District
West Point on the Eno
Wright's Automatic Machinery Company
The first English child born in the New World, Virginia Dare, was born in what is now Roanoke Island, North Carolina, in 1587.
About Durham County
Durham County Timeline
Durham County, located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, has a rich and diverse history dating back to the earliest American settlements. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Occaneechi and Eno, who thrived off the fertile land. Europeans began arriving in the late 17th century, with the region eventually falling under British control.
During the early 19th century, Durham County was primarily an agricultural community, with tobacco farming becoming a prominent industry. As the demand for tobacco grew, leading to significant economic growth, the town of Durham was established in 1853. The establishment of the North Carolina Railroad also played a crucial role in the county's development, further boosting trade and transportation.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were transformative for Durham County. The rise of the American tobacco industry saw the town of Durham become a major hub, earning it the nickname "Bull City." Companies like American Tobacco Company and Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company prospered, shaping the county's economy and contributing to the development of iconic structures such as the Lucky Strike cigarette factory and Durham's downtown skyline.
In the 20th century, Durham County has experienced periods of growth, challenges, and transformation. It played a significant role in the civil rights movement, with the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People leading protests and advocating for racial equality. The county has also become a center for education, with Duke University and North Carolina Central University being established. Today, Durham is known for its thriving research, technology, and healthcare sectors, as well as its vibrant cultural scene and commitment to progressive initiatives.
During the early 19th century, Durham County was primarily an agricultural community, with tobacco farming becoming a prominent industry. As the demand for tobacco grew, leading to significant economic growth, the town of Durham was established in 1853. The establishment of the North Carolina Railroad also played a crucial role in the county's development, further boosting trade and transportation.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were transformative for Durham County. The rise of the American tobacco industry saw the town of Durham become a major hub, earning it the nickname "Bull City." Companies like American Tobacco Company and Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company prospered, shaping the county's economy and contributing to the development of iconic structures such as the Lucky Strike cigarette factory and Durham's downtown skyline.
In the 20th century, Durham County has experienced periods of growth, challenges, and transformation. It played a significant role in the civil rights movement, with the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People leading protests and advocating for racial equality. The county has also become a center for education, with Duke University and North Carolina Central University being established. Today, Durham is known for its thriving research, technology, and healthcare sectors, as well as its vibrant cultural scene and commitment to progressive initiatives.
Durham County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Durham County, North Carolina.
- 1838: Durham County is established on April 17, named after Dr. Bartlett Durham.
- 1851: The community of Durhamville is established after a railway depot is built nearby.
- 1853: Durhamville is renamed Durham Station.
- 1865: The Civil War ends, and Durham Station begins to grow as a result of the tobacco industry.
- 1873: Durham Station is officially incorporated as the town of Durham.
- 1881: The Durham Tobacco Company is founded, marking the beginning of the tobacco boom in the area.
- 1893: Durham becomes the county seat of Durham County.
- 1903: The Washington Duke family founds the American Tobacco Company in Durham.
- 1910: The Parrish Street area becomes a center of African American business and culture.
- 1957: North Carolina Central University is established in Durham.
- 1980s: Durham experiences economic decline due to the decline of the tobacco industry.
- 1990s: Durham undergoes a revitalization effort, focusing on downtown redevelopment and the creation of Research Triangle Park.