The one hundred-fifty-fourth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

These little endway houses seem to have begun life as twins. As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, 1109 is “ca. 1935; 1 story; shotgun with side wing” and 1109 1/2 is “ca. 1935; 1 story; brick-veneered and modernized shotgun.”

1109

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1109 Washington, rented for $13/month, Raymond Tillery, 27, waiter at Carolina General Hospital; wife Louise, 24, cook; and daughter Edna R., 2.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Tillery Raymond (c; Louise; 1) lab h 1109 Washington

In 1942, Raymond Ben Tillery registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 18 March 1913 in Wilson; lived at 1109 East Washington; his contact was Mrs. Raymond Ben Tillery; and he worked at Carolina General Hospital. 

White realtor George A. Barfoot advertised 1109 Washington for sale in 1948, noting that it was a good home for colored people.

Wilson Daily Times, 3 March 1948.

A month later, Barfoot dropped the price a bit and provided a little more detail about the house’s amenities.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 April 1948.

1109 1/2

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1109 1/2 Washington, rented for $13/month, taxi driver George Vick, 34, born in Wilson, and wife Blanche, 30, tobacco factory stemmer, born in Fayetteville.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Vick Geo (c; Blanch) taxi driver h 1109 1/2 Washington

In 1942, George White Vick registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 June 1903 in Wilson; lived at 1109 1/2 Washington; his contact was Mrs. S.H. Vick, 622 East Green; and he worked for Safety Taxi Company.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, February 2022.