Welcome to my page about my adopted city,
Durham, North Carolina.
As an Englishman who has only recently arrived here, I decided that I would search out some information about this beautiful city. The information here is only a brief description meant to whet your appetite and encourage you to visit. If however, you are thinking of moving to this area to take advantage of the many and varied career opportunities that are on offer, then there is a link at the bottom of the page so that you may contact one of Durham's finest real estate agents, Michael Sullivan.
History
Before the arrival of the Europeans, this area was home to two Native American tribes, the Eno and the Occaneechi. It is believed that Durham is the site of Adshusheer, and ancient Native American village. Native Americans were responsible for establishing many of the settlement sites and transport routes, and also contributed heavily to the Southern culture and customs.
The areas natural beauty was called "the Flower of the Carolina's" by the explorer John Lawson in 1701. During the mid 1700's many British, Irish and Scots immigrants settled on land granted to John Carteret, Earl of Granville, by King Charles I, after whom the Carolina's are named.
During the period between the Revolutionary and Civil wars large plantations were established. By 1860, Stagville Plantation lay at the center of one of the largest plantation holdings in the southern states. Much of the land in Durham was worked by yeoman farmers, African-Americans were brought in to labor on the farms and plantations. The slave housing became the birthplace of many distinctly Southern cultural and social traditions. There were also a number of free African-Americans in the area, including several who fought in the Revolutionary war.
In 1853, Dr. Bartlett Durham, for whom the city is named, provided land for the railroad station to be built on.
Civil War between States
Because of the disagreements between the plantation owners and the small farmers, North Carolina was the last state to secede from the Union. Durham citizens fought in several North Carolina regiments, and suffered the most casualties. Union General Sherman and Confederate General Johnson negotiated the largest surrender of the civil war, in 1865 at Bennett Place in Durham. !7 days prior to this Lee had surrendered his army at the Appomattox.
Tobacco and Mills
During the cease-fire Yankee and Rebel troops celebrated together, and discovered Brightleaf Tobacco, which in tirn spawned the American Tobacco Company.
The Duke family gambled during the reconstruction, and because of their boldness and adventurous spirit, their risk paid off creating a multinational company, and forever linking the Duke family name and the city of Durham with the tobacco industry.
Tobacco soon inspired other industries such as the first mill to produce Denim, and the worlds ;argest hosiery maker. Tobacco and textiles became the symbols of the New South's industry and commerce.
Education
One of the top universities in the country is Duke University, home to a world class medical facility, and nationally ranked Law school and Business school. In 1910 Dr. James E. Shepard founded North Carolina Central University, the first liberal arts college for African-Americans. It is now affiliated to U.N.C. and the campus has many Georgian revival style buildings, a sports complex, art museum, and a Law school which is ranked first in the nation for women.
In addition to Duke and NCCU Universities, Durham is home to the NC School of Science and Math, Durham Technical Community College, Durham Academy, and Progressive Durham Public Schools.
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