In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Johnston County, N.C., native William A. Mitchner arrived in Wilson ca. 1908. Second known Black physician in Wilson County. Dr. Mitchner built this small office in 1936 in the middle of the Black business block and practiced here until his death in 1941.
This house is not within the bounds of East Wilson Historic District. Rather, it lies within Wilson’s Central Business-Tobacco Warehouse District. Demolition, lot consolidation, and in-fill building have resulted in shifting addresses for this house. Now 542 East Nash Street, it was once 549, then 540, and briefly 545. It and the adjacent house are the last of several residences that once lined this stretch of the south side of Nash Street.
Annie Peacock Mitchell bought the lot on which the house stands from Rev. Owen L.W. Smith on 23 December 1907. (See Deed Book 69, page 529, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.)
On 21 March 1914, Annie Mitchell sold the lot to her daughters Sallie Ann Mitchell and Eva May Mitchell subject to a lifetime right to live in the house her son Floyd Mitchell built.
Deed book 97, page 552, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.
In 1918, Albert Mitchell registered for the World War I draft in Wilson; was born 15 January 1878; lived at 549 Nash Street; worked as a laborer for Imperial Tobacco Company; and his nearest relative was mother Annie Mitchell.
In 1918, Floyd Alfonso Mitchell registered for the World War I draft in Wilson; was born 2 March 1884; lived at 549 East Nash; worked as a carpenter; and his nearest relative was mother Annie Mitchell, same address.
In 1918, Lee Arnold Mitchell registered for the World War I draft in New York, New York; was born 16 May 1886; lived at 108 West 131st Street; worked as a waiter for N.Y.N.H. & H.R.R.; and his nearest relative was mother Annie Mitchell, 545 East Nash Street, Wilson.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 549 Nash Street, widow Annie Mitchell, 71, children Sallie, 46, Eddie, 44, Albert, 42, Eva, 36, and Floyd, 34, niece Severana [Severine], 18, and nephew Lester, 16.
Eva Mitchell Haywood died 1 October 1925 in Wilson; was about 40 years old; was born in Wayne County, N.C., to Edward Mitchell and Ann Peacock; lived at 540 East Nash Street; was the widow of Lucien Haywood; was a dressmaker; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.
Sallie Ann Mitchell died 29 March 1926 in Wilson; was about 54 years old; was born in Wayne County to Edward James Mitchell and Ann Mitchell; was single; lived at 540 East Nash; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 540 East Nash, Albert Mitchell, 52, tobacco factory mechanic, brother Flody [sic], 47, house carpenter, and two roomers.
Albert Mitchell died 9 July 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson; was born about 1878 in Wayne County to Edward Mitchell of Wayne County and Anna Peacock of Wilson County; was the widower of Cora Mitchell; worked as a laborer for Imperial Tobacco Company; and resided at 540 East Nash Street, Wilson.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 540 East Nash, Floyd Mitchell, 56, and eight lodgers.
Floyd Alfonzo Mitchell died 18 January 1944 at his home at 540 East Nash Street, Wilson; was born 2 March 1884 in Wayne County to Edward Mitchell and Annie Barnes; worked as a carpenter; and was single.
In the 1947 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Richardson Bessie (c) 540 E Nash
The reverse side of this aerial photograph of downtown Wilson reveals that it was taken by the United States Army Air Service, 20th Photo Section. In the bottom left corner of the image there appears to be a date: 8-3-25. Tested against the construction of dates of the former Atlantic Coastal Line passenger station, completed in 1924 and visible here; the Wilson County Courthouse, completed in 1925 and visible here; and the former United States Post Office and former First National Bank building on Nash Street, both completed in 1927 but not even under construction here, 1925 can be confirmed.
In its lower right corner, the photo offers a rare glimpse of Wilson’s primary Black business block at, arguably, its prime in the decade before the Great Depression.
Identifiable buildings include:
In 1926, Charles Malachi “Mack” Wells bought a lot on East Nash Street just east of present-day Powell Street from William M. and Mollie Pierce. Wells already owned the lot next door, on which was located a garage.
Deed book 165, page 27, Wilson County Register of Deeds, Wilson.
Thirty years ago, the north side of the 500 block of East Nash Street was largely intact. In 2024, however, all of these buildings, except the one at far left, are long gone.
The three-story brick building at left is, of course, the Odd Fellows hall that Samuel H. Vick erected in 1894, when he was barely in his 30s. The lodge met on the top floor, and the Globe Theatre occupied the second floor for decades. In the 1920s, Camillus L. Darden built the two-story building at right and the two one-story buildings between it and the Odd Fellows lodge.
Photo courtesy of Richard L. Mattson, “The Cultural Landscape of a Southern Black Community: East Wilson, North Carolina, 1890-1930,” North Carolina Historical Review, January 2011.
Circa 1908, William McCowan and Samuel H. Vick operated a grocery store at 540 East Nash Street, on the first floor of the Odd Fellows building.
Detail, 1908 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C.
Per the 1908 city directory, the company employed at least one clerk, Elmore Stokes.
Home Supply Company was a short-lived venture between two unlikely partners. Neither McCowan, a brickmason, nor Vick, who had broad entrepreneurial interests, had known experience in the grocery business.
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In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: washerwoman Anna McGown, 35, and children William, 16, Emma, 15, Bettie, 10, Margaret, 8, Charles, 6, and Samuel, 2.
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: brickmason William McCowan, 27; wife Louiza, 25; and daughter Annice, 6.
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: bricklayer William McCowan, 47; wife Louise, 39; and boarder Calvin Murray, 14.
In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McCowan Wm pres Home Supply Co (Inc) h Church nr Pender
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Bill McCowan, 56; wife Louisiana, 45; and lodger Annie Williams, 38.
In the 1922 and 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McCowan William (c) brklyer h 513 Church
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McCowan William (c, Louisa) brklyer h 513 Church
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McCowan J William (c; Louisa) brklyer h 513 Church
William McCowan died 21 February 1940 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 86 years old; was born in Wilson County; lived at 513 Church Street; was the widower of Lou McCowan; worked as a bricklayer; and was buried in Wilson, N.C. [If he, like Vick, were an Odd Fellow, he is likely buried in that cemetery. Otherwise, Vick Cemetery or the newly opened Rest Haven.]
And here, my friends, is the gold standard of East Wilson renovation — the old Willie G. and Ada Harris Reid house at 1013 East Nash Street.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, December 2023.
In the category “East Wilson Renovations” — 10, 10, 10s across the board!!
The renovation of the house is nearly complete at 1013 East Nash Street, the Queen Anne cottage most closely associated with Willie and Ada Harris Reid, but built more than 20 years before they took occupancy. Judging by the exterior, it’s a lovely job.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2023.
W.L. Wooten Furniture was one of several white-owned businesses in the 500 block of East Nash Street in the pre-World War II era.
Wilson Daily Times, 13 January 1948.
Wilson Bottling Company stood at the corner of East Nash and South Vick Streets in a building originally occupied by a grocery. This stretch of East Nash Street was a small commercial district featuring several groceries and the Elks Club’s lodge building.
Here’s the area in the 1930 Sanborn map, before the Elks Club was built:
In 1930, the businesses were:
In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: