This house stands just outside the bounds of East Wilson Historic District. However, the streets southeast of present-day Hines Street, including Hadley Street, have been an African-American residential area since platted in the early twentieth century.

 

The hip-roofed house at 410 Hadley Street was built before 1922, when this Sanborn fire insurance map was drawn.

In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories: Simms Lee (c; Mary L) brklyr h 410 Hadley

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 Hadley, owned and valued at $1300, Lee Simms, 66, bricklayer; wife Mary L., 60, laundress; and adopted son Clarence Woodard, 6.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 [Hadley], Charlie Best, 42; wife Adeva, 41; and her children Bertha, 18, Gladys, 15, Rudolph, 13, and Eddie, 3.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Best Chas (c; Addie; 3) lab h 410 Hadley

In 1944, Charlie Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 April 1898 in Piney Grove township, Sampson County, N.C.; he lived at 410 Hadley Street; his contact was brother Howard Best, Bowden, Duplin County, N.C.; and he worked for Contentnea Guano Company. A note on the reverse: “mashed big toe on left foot; very plain to see.”

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 [Hadley], Charlie Best, 52, fertilizer plant machine operator; wife Addie E., 51; and grandson Eddie, 14.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2025.