This cottage is not within the bounds of East Wilson Historic District. However, East Banks Street — with its proximity to tobacco factories, lumber companies, and the warehouse district — has been an African-American residential area since the turn of the twentieth century.
The front facade of this house appears to have been modified somewhat, and the 1922 Sanborn map sketch suggests that the bay windows were not original. I did not get a close at the turned porch posts. If they are original, they are in remarkable shape. If not, kudos to whomever paid a little extra for replacements in kind.
Detail from 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C.
In the 1922, 1925, 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories, 410 East Banks was occupied by Joshua and Mary [Battle] Woodard. Joshua Woodard worked as tobacco factory laborer until circa 1929, when he secured a position as a chauffeur.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 Banks, Joshua Woodard, 43, chauffeur for C.M Fleming, and wife Mary, 34.
Josh Woodard died 29 September 1935 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 48 years old; was born in Wilson County to Maraman Woodard of Wilson County and Jane Miles of Maryland; was married to Mary Woodard; lived at 410 East Bank Street; and worked as a laborer. Bessie Baldwin, 412 Jones Street, was informant.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Andrew Rountree, 40, laborer in veneer manufacturing company; wife Emma, 38; and children Emma Gray, 12, Sadie May, 9, Annie Doris, 6, and Bettie Lavone, 4.
In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Rountree Andrew (c; Emma; 5) barber Roscoe L Harvey h 410 E Banks
In 1942, Andrew Rountree registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 April 1899 in Wilson County; lived at 410 East Banks; his contact was Irma Rountree, 410 East Banks (“mother & father dead”); and he worked for W.E. Thomas, Wilson Veneer Company, Railroad Street, Wilson.
In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Parker Benj (c; Emily) emp Armours h 410 E Banks
Photograph by Lisa Y. Henderson, November 2022.
Hi! Does East Banks Street still exist, and if so, where can I find it? I found a Hunter ancestor who lived on 508 East Banks Street, but all I can find on Google maps is a “Banks Street South.” Where did you take this gorgeous picture?
Wilson abandoned its North/South/East/West directional prefixes several years ago in favor of — in my view — incomprehensible designations that now follow the street name. Banks Street S is the former E Banks Street. I took the photo at, well, 410 Banks Street.
Banks St. Is off
Lodge St.& Walnut St.SW
Wilson. Behind
St.Rose Diciples
of Christmas Church. Spring St.