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

Durham’s Urban Renewal

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 14, 2024

1. Durham’s Urban Renewal Marker

Inscription. During the 1960s and 70s, urban renewal brought many changes to the downtown area. Construction of the Downtown Loop created a perimeter road around the Central Business District, and meant the freight depot’s demolition. In 1974 it was one of over 200 other structures demolished to make was for the Loop and new buildings such as a judicial building, city hall, and parking garages.

(captions)
Right: Public Improvements Map showing the Downtown Loop, 500 West Main Street is located along the curvature at the far left. Courtesy of the North Carolina Collection at the Durham County Library.

Far Right: Aerial view of Durham’s Central Business District prior to construction of the Downtown Loop, 1955. Courtesy of the North Carolina Collection at the Durham County Library.

Erected by Museum of Durham History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 35° 59.879′ N, 78° 54.313′ W. Marker is in Durham, North Carolina, in Durham County. It is at the intersection of North Great Jones Street (Downtown Loop) and West Main

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Street (Business U.S. 70), on the right when traveling west on North Great Jones Street (Downtown Loop). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 W Main St, Durham NC 27701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and in the Research Triangle.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Freight Depot (here, next to this marker); From Bus Station to Museum (here, next to this marker); The Globe Warehouse (here, next to this marker); Five Points Loan Company (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emanuel J. Evans, 1907-1997, and Sara N. Evans, 1905-1986 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Visionary Leadership in the New South

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 14, 2024

2. Durham’s Urban Renewal Marker

Marker is second from right.

(approx. ¼ mile away); A Black Capital for the World to See (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Hope Franklin (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durham.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Story of 500 W. Main Street

Also see . . . Museum of Durham History. (Submitted on September 23, 2024.)

The Story of 500 W. Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, September 14, 2024

3. The Story of 500 W. Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2024, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.