339-341 West Main Street

35.996662, -78.903857

339-341
Durham
NC
Year built
1920s
Construction type
Local historic district
National Register
Neighborhood
Use
Building Type
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339-341WMain_1960s.jpg

339-341 W. Main was built in the 1920s as part of a row of structures replacing earlier frame establishments and industrial uses, such as Seeman's Carriage Works. The area between Corcoran and L & M rapidly took on a retail focus during this era, as the 'core' of downtown to the east focused more on the office and government sectors.

 

The best view I could find of the whole row is from the 1920s.

(Courtesy Duke Archives)

Above, mid-to-late 1920s picture showing the completed row of buildings along the southern 'point' of Five Points. One earlier-generation structure remains, set back slightly from the street - more typical of the previous structures. It would be replaced by the Snow Building by 1930. 339-341 is immediately to its right, with the ornamental 'points' atop the cornice.

By the 1950s, 341 was home to "Freedman's."  The smaller 339 storefront had a larger built-out 'shelf' as part of the cornice, and was occupied by the Five Points Loan Company.

5pointsloancompany_1_010253.jpg

01.02.53 (Courtesy Herald-Sun)

5pointsloancompany_010253.jpg

Interior of the Five Points Loan Company, 01.02.53 (Courtesy Herald-Sun)

341WMain_1990s.jpg

339-341, 1990s

(Courtesy Herald-Sun)

This row of structures remains the best-preserved historic architecture in Durham - actually continuing for more than a block without a parking lot. 




2007, during a streetscape project to return Main and Chapel Hill Streets to their original two-way configuration.

As of 2011, 339 West Main is home to Center Studio Architecture, and 341 a beauty salon. 

339-341WestMain_091011.jpg

339-341 West Main, 09.10.11

 

Comments

The files at the NC State Historic Preservation Office call this the Freedman's & Riddick Printing building.

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