Scene from the revitalized Old West Durham neighborhood, 1999. Photo courtesy Old West Durham Neighborhood Association
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Old West Durham Neighborhood
This historic district was settled before the city
of Durham came into existence in the early 1850's. Originally
called Pin Hook, it was a traveler's rest of dubious reputation
until the early 1890's when the Erwin Cotton Mills were built,
transforming the area into a neat mill town. Many of the homes,
built from lumber obtained from the town's own forest and sawmill,
survive today in neat rows of identical forms set close to the
street on deep, narrow lots. Their three basic designs-pyramid
roof, L-shaped, or T-shaped-were assigned according to the
occupant's standing at the mill. Other more affluent residents
built frame houses from catalogs such as Sears & Roebuck. The
mill co-owner, William Erwin, provided the community with a park
before Durham had any city parks. The paternalistic Erwin
interacted with the workers as he walked through the village,
inviting them to band concerts in the park and bringing them rose
bushes to plant in their yards. Many of those bushes are still
blooming in West Durham today. A thriving business district emerged
around 1910 and is today a popular destination filled with eclectic
shops and restaurants. Rich in history, the town is enjoying a
renaissance today after hard times during the 1970's and '80's. A
new neighborhood association was formed in 1995 to build a stronger
sense of community and shared heritage.
Originally submitted by: David E. Price, Representative (4th District).
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The Local Legacies project provides a "snapshot" of American Culture as it was expressed in spring of 2000. Consequently, it is not being updated with new or revised information with the exception of "Related Website" links.
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