Atlantic Street

1004 Washington Street, revisited.

The James and Lizzie Whitfield house at 1004 Washington Street is in a bad way and apparently is set to be demolished using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Eligible uses of such funds for vacant or abandoned properties include rehab costs, acquisition and marketing costs, environmental remediation costs, demolition, and converting such properties to affordable housing. 

Guidelines for the funds warn that demolition is not to be undertaken where it would create a “net reduction in occupiable housing units for low- and moderate-income individuals” in areas in which the need for such housing exceeds available supply. (It’s hard to imagine that demolition of this house won’t have just such a result, but it is also clear from a peak through that gap by the porch pillar that it is in deplorable condition.) Nor should low-income housing be converted to housing units “unaffordable to current residents in the community.” (Such as the $250,000 renovation two blocks away on Atlantic Street.)

There’s some irony here. James A. Whitfield was the first African-American member, and later chair, of the Wilson Housing Authority. The Whitfield Homes housing project is named for him.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 November 1960.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2022.

1010 Atlantic Street.

The one hundred sixty-eighth 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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1913; 1 story; Queen Anne cottage with double-pile, hip-roofed form, projecting front wing, and several intact turned porch posts.” [The house is misnumbered as #1008 in the nomination form.]

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In the 1928 Wilson city directory: Jones Lee C (c; Sadie L), dentist 559 1/2 E Nash h 1010 Atlanta

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1010 Atlantic Street, seamstress Sadie Jones, 32, and sons Emery L., 7, Clarance and Clinton, 3; and lodgers Catherine Joyner, 14, James Coley, 9, and Elaine Coley, 15. [Sadie Jones was described as “single” and presumably was divorced.]

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: owned and valued at $1500, Robert Lee, 27; wife Elaine, 25; and son Robert Jr., 3.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lee Robt E (c; Elaine L; 1) tchr h 1010 Atlantic av

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lee Robt E (c; Elaine ) tchr h 1010 Atlantic av

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, April 2022.

1111 Atlantic Street.

The one hundred-fifty-third 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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1940; 1 story; bungalow with low hip roof, engaged porch, and distinctive block-stone facade.”

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1111 Atlantic Avenue, rented for $16/month, construction carpenter Matthew Barnes, 44; wife Ossie Mae, 30, presser for Fidelity Cleaners; mother Erma Grady, 66, widow, tobacco factory hanger.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Matthew (c; Ossie) carp h 1111 Atlantic Av

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Matthew (c; Ossie) carp h 1111 Atlantic Av

1105 Atlantic Street.

The one hundred-forty-ninth 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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1922; 1 story; bungalow with gable-end form and subsidiary gable-end porch.”

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Joyner Lee J (c; Sarah) plstr h 1105 Atlanta

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McCall Oscar (c; Flora) truck driver h 1105 Atlantic

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1105 Atlantic Street, taxi chauffeur Oscar McCall, 27; wife Flora, 22; and children Louise, 6, Louis, 5, Willie F., 3, and H.B., 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1105 Atlantic Avenue, butler Ola Dupree, 44; wife Georgia, 32; and roomers Florence Atkinson, 24, and her husband William Atkinson, 26, a medical doctor.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dupree Otis (c; Georgia) cook h 1105 Atlantic

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dupree Ola (c; Georgia A; Silver Boot Grill) h 1105 Atlantic

Wilson Daily Times, 12 April 1980.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 November 1985.

1203 Atlantic Street.

The one hundred-forty-eighth 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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1930; 1 story; shotgun with bungalow type porch posts.”

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Farmer Chas W (c) lab h 1203 Atlanta [Atlantic]

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Farmer Chas W (c; Maggie) h 1203 Atlanta

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Farmer Chas W (c; Maggie) h 1203 Atlanta 

Charlie W. Farmer, son of Jeff and Blanch Gay Farmer, died 10 October 1938 in an Asheville, N.C., veterans hospital. His widow Maggie Farmer, who remained in the home they shared on Atlantic Street, ordered a flat military headstone for his grave in Rest Haven Cemetery. 

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Batts Edw (c; Eliza) chauf h 1203 Atlantic av

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Batts Edw (c; Eliz) butler h 1203 Atlantic av

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, January 2022.

1002 Atlantic Street.

The one hundred-twelfth 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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1940; 1 story; modified brick-veneered hip-roofed cottage.”

In Hill’s 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Sherard J W h 1002 Atlantic

In Hill’s 1930 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Sherard John W h 1002 Atlantic

John W. Sherard died 23 May 1931 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 62 years old; was born in Wayne County to Swinson Sherard and Laura Sherard; lived at 1002 Atlanta [sic]; worked as a carpenter; and was buried in Wayne County.

In Hill’s 1941 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Purefoy Dallie A Rev (c; Alberta; 3) h 1002 Atlantic

Albrater Purefoy died 23 October 1941 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1890 in Wilson County to Rufus Vinson and Johana Richardson; lived at 1002 Atlantic, Wilson; and was married to Dallie Purefoy.

Dallie A. Purefoy was pastor of Saint Luke A.M.E. Church in the 1930s and early 1940s. The church is located at the corner of Vick and Atlantic Streets, and 1002 Atlantic Street, which is adjacent to the rear of the church, has served as a church parsonage.

Photograph by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2019.

1012 Atlantic Street.

The eighty-first 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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this house is: “ca. 1930; 1 1/2 stories; gambrel-front house with two-bay facade; aluminum-sided.”

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: George Arthur H (c; Minnie B) pastor Calvary Presbyterian Ch h 1012 Atlantic.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1012 Atlantic Street carpenter/bricklayer Arthur J. George, wife Minnie, sons Arthur, Henry H., and Bryant George, lodger Rebacer Ramsy, and niece Willie L. George.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1012 Atlantic Avenue, rented for $12/month, tobacco factory janitor Bud Bryant, 52; wife Nancy, 48; nieces Louise, 17, Nannie, 15, Mary, 12, and Carleen Reid, 11; and son Frederick Reid, 34, divorced.

In 1940, Frederick Reid registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 September 1905 in Wilson; resided at 1012 Atlantic; his contact was mother Nancy Bryant, 1012 Atlantic; and he worked for W.B. Corbett, Waterworks Road, Wilson.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bryant Bud (c; Nancy) lab 1012 Atlantic Av.

Nancy Bryant died 14 January 1945 at her home at 1012 Atlantic Street. Per her death certificate, she was 53 years old; born in Wayne County to Zion and Eliza Reid; and was married to Rev. Mathew B. Bryant, age 56, who was informant.

Photograph by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2018.

1113 Atlantic Street.

The forty-sixth 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.

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As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1922; 1 story; John Moore house; late example of double-pile hip-roofed form with projecting front wing; has classical porch posts; Moore was listed as both a barber and shoemaker.”

In the 1928 city directory of Wilson:

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John H. Moore, 45, cobbler in a shoe shop; wife Annie, 31, laundress; and children Lena, 11, Carl, 9, John, 7, Anna G., Odessia B., and Ruth, 1.

In 1940, Carl Moore registered for the World War II draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 23 January 1919 in Wilson; resided at 1113 Atlantic Street, Wilson (formerly 1516 North Opal Street, Philadelphia, and 1750 North Croskey Street, Philadelphia); his contact was mother Armincie Moore, 1113 East Atlanta [sic] Street, Wilson; and he was unemployed.

In the 1941 city directory of Wilson, N.C.: Moore John H (c; Armincia; 4) shoe repr 517 E Nash h 1113 Atlantic Av

Armincie Cohen Moore died 1 July 1974 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 23 May 1899 to Willie Cohen and Sarah Eatmon; was a widow; and was a tobacco factory laborer. Informant was Vernesser Jones, 1113 Atlantic Street.

Photograph by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2017.