College Heights Historic District

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

1. College Heights Historic District Marker

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The neighborhood was distinguished by its proximity to African American educational institutions and its middle- to upper-class residents. New educational opportunities for African Americans in the early decades of the century, specifically the establishment of the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua (now known as North Carolina Central University) in 1910 and the construction of Whitted Elementary School (later Hillside High School) in 1935, made College Heights, adjacent to both schools, one of the most popular neighborhoods for teachers, professors, and other school employees. This was especially true after 1925 when the former school, renamed North Carolina College for Negroes, became the nation’s first state-supported, four-year, Liberal Arts College for African Americans, increasing both enrollment and programs as well as employment opportunities. The development of College Heights can also be attributed to the growth and success of locally owned, African American

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

2. College Heights Historic District Marker

companies like North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Mechanics and Farmers Bank, and others, with many of their upper-level employees residing in the neighborhood. These companies provided both professional opportunities and professional services for Durham’s African American residents, earning Durham the reputation of “Capital of the Black Middle Class” by 1925.

[The district] contains a significant collection of residential buildings in styles and forms that illustrate national trends during the period of significance, which begins in 1925 when the first homes were constructed and ends c.1966, by which time the neighborhood had been largely built out. Architectural styles prominent in the College Heights Historic District include Colonial Revival, Craftsman, Minimal Traditional, Period Cottage, Ranch, Contemporary, and Moderne styles.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

3. Hill House (c. 1944)

This one-story Minimal Traditional-style house was typical of those built in the area during the 1940s. William H. and Ola Hill – a school principal and a school teacher, respectively –were the first known to live in the house, in 1947.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

4. Reid House (c. 1925)

Garland R. Reid, a carpenter, lived in this house – one of the earliest built in the neighborhood – in 1930. It's also one of the few two-story houses in the district.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

5. Rowland House (c. 1945)

A 1½-story Period Cottage, its first residents were Fenton H. and Roxie Rowland. Fenton Rowland owned and operated a tailor shop with Willis Z. Mitchell on West Main Street.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 31, 2023

6. Holloway House (c. 1930)

Lucius Holloway and his wife, Ethel, were the first to live in this one-story house on Nelson Street. He worked for Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. Julia Spencer, a longtime secretary at North Carolina Central University, later lived there for more than 30 years.