City Center in Durham in Durham County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co. / Mechanics and Farmers Bank

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

1. North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co./Mechanics and Farmers Bank Marker

Inscription.
Historic Preservation
Society of Durham
North Carolina Mutual
Life Insurance Co./
Mechanics and Farmers Bank
1921 Neoclassical Revival Landmark that anchored Durham's “Black Wall Street.” Home office of N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Company from 1921 to 1965. Home office of M&F Bank since 1922. Architects Rose & Rose of Durham.
No. 2
National Historic Landmark

Erected by Historic Preservation Society of Durham. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 35° 59.758′ N, 78° 54.045′ W. Marker is in Durham, North Carolina, in Durham County. It is in City Center. Marker is on West Parrish Street west of North Mangum Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 W Parrish St, Durham NC 27701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Black Capital for the World to See (here, next to this marker); A Legacy of Community and Institutional Connections (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Black Wall Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Financial and Professional Impact in Durham (within shouting distance of this marker); Visionary Leadership in the New South (within shouting distance of this marker); Tobacco and E.J. Parrish (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emanuel J. Evans, 1907-1997, and Sara N. Evans, 1905-1986 (about 600 feet away); Empowering and Diverse Opportunities (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durham.

Regarding North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co. / Mechanics and Farmers Bank. N.C. Mutual was liquidated in 2022 after 124 years in business, brought down by a years-long struggle with debt. At the time, it had more than 241,000 policyholders across the continental U.S. M&F Bank, which was launched by N.C. Mutual in 1908, continues to operate and be headquartered in the building.

Also see . . .
1. Mechanics and Farmers Bank/North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company (PDF). National Historic Landmark nomination

National Historic Landmark plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

2. National Historic Landmark plaque

for the building, which was so designated in 1975. (National Archives) (Submitted on September 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. The North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, the first Black-owned insurance company in the state and the largest in the nation, was incorporated on 28 Feb. 1899 as the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association. (Rodney D. Barfield and John F. Ansley, Encyclopedia of North Carolina via NCPedia, 2006/revised 2023) (Submitted on September 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

3. NC Mutual's Success Story. Short promotional film released as a featured trailer in African American movie theaters ca. 1948, when the company was celebrating its 50th anniversary. (Discover Durham, uploaded Feb. 2, 2015) (Submitted on September 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

3. North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Co./Mechanics and Farmers Bank Marker

N.C. Mutual Co-founder John Merrick (1859-1919) image. Click for full size.

via Durham County Library, And Justice for All project (Public Domain)

4. N.C. Mutual Co-founder John Merrick (1859-1919)

A barber by trade, he recruited several investors in 1898 to found the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Society life insurance company. Many of the investors pulled out in the first year, prompting Merrick and Dr. Aaron Moore – an initial investor who stayed – to reorganize the company as the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company.

N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

5. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

6. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

7. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

8. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

9. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

10. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

11. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

12. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

13. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

14. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

15. N.C. Mutual/M&F Bank Historical Photo

One of several historical photographs on display in the windows of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development next door to the bank building.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. submitted on September 13, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.