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

Duke Homestead

Prosperity from War

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, May 11, 2010

1. Duke Homestead Marker

Inscription. When North Carolina became the last state to secede from the Union in May 1861, Washington Duke’s small farm and homestead here consisted of more than 300 acres. He grew typical crops such as corn, wheat, oats, and sweet potatoes, and had raised cotton as a cash crop until it failed in the 1850s, when he began cultivating bright-leaf tobacco. Drafted into the Confederate Navy in September 1863, Duke was soon captured and imprisoned in Richmond, Va. He was released after the war and sent to New Bern, N.C. He then walked 134 miles back to his homestead. Duke discovered that the soldiers encamped here had consumed most of his stored tobacco while Gens. Joseph E. Johnston and William T. Sherman negotiated the Confederate surrender at James and Nancy Bennett’s farm, now Bennett Place State Historic Site. Fortunately, the soldiers left enough tobacco for Duke and his family to produce “Pro Bono Publico” (“for the public good”) brand smoking tobacco. Its popularity encouraged the Dukes to manufacture other, equally popular brands, largely purchased by soldiers who introduced bright-leaf tobacco to their communities. The Duke family

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soon prospered, and W. Duke, Sons and Company eventually grew into one of the largest trusts in the world, the American Tobacco Company.
Within a decade of the end of the war, Duke and other local entrepreneurs, such as Julian S. Carr and Brodie L. Duke (Washington’s eldest son) established the Durham tobacco factories and textile mills that fueled the recovery of war-stricken North Carolina. Now renovated into shops, restaurants, and offices, the red brickwork and architectural details of the century-old facilities contribute to Durham’s unique sense of place.

Erected by North Carolina Civil War Trials.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the North Carolina Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1861.

Location. 36° 2.164′ N, 78° 55.279′ W. Marker is in Durham, North Carolina, in Durham County. It is in Duke Homestead. It can be reached from Duke Homestead Road. The marker is located in the visitor parking lot of the Duke Homestead North Carolina Historic Site, adjacent

Photographed by Paul Crumlish, May 11, 2010

2. Duke Homestead Marker

Located in front of the Duke Homestead visitor center and Tobacco Museum, the marker (left) stands next the North Carolina Civil War Trails marker.

to the walkway to Tobacco Museum and visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham NC 27705, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: North Carolina (here, next to this marker); Durham County Prison Camp (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Duke Homestead (approx. 0.9 miles away); Watts Hospital II (approx. 1.2 miles away); N.C. School of Science and Mathematics (approx. 1.2 miles away); Booker T. Spicely (approx. 1.3 miles away); Dorothy Kitchen: Durham Musician and Educator Extraordinaire

Duke Homestead (1852) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish

3. Duke Homestead (1852)

Looking across a newly planted tobacco field toward the Duke Homestead. In foreground is a reconstruction of the corn crib used as the first tobacco factory, where Washington Duke began manufacturing smoking tobacco in 1865. With the Washington Duke House, the birthplace of B.N. and J.B. Duke, in the background at the North Carolina Duke Homestead Historic Site.

(approx. 1.3 miles away); Stagville (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Durham.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study the marker shown.

Photographed by Paul Crumlish

4. Duke Homestead (1852)

The Washington Duke House, the birthplace of B.N. and J.B. Duke, at the North Carolina Duke Homestead Historic Site.

Duke Homestead and Tobacco Factory 1966 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, May 2, 2025

5. Duke Homestead and Tobacco Factory 1966

Has been designated a Registered National Historic Landmark Under the provisions of the Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935. This site possesses exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating The history of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 11, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,156 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 11, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on May 14, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 5. submitted on May 8, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.