LIPSCOMB HOUSE

Submitted by MK on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 1:12am

I am really glad to see that the house was restored, but it is very sad that the garden was removed. Doug Ruhren had one of the nicest gardens in Durham there. He is very fine plantsman. Perhaps the new owners did not realize what they had.
Submitted by menshi mihas on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 1:56pm

Yes I agree. The garden was a hidden botanical retreat.
Submitted by Rochelle on Monday, January 12, 2009 - 4:37pm

I am the current owner - and I most certainly did appreciate the botanical treasures Doug left behind. Unfortunately both of the enormous oaks in the front fell over (crushing two of my cars) - thus subjecting that lovely shade garden to too much light. I have carefully transported as many of the plants and bulbs as I could to the rear - to another shade area. So - the garden lives on - although not in the front.
Submitted by Anonymous on Friday, September 10, 2010 - 4:18am

I lived in the house with Doug and Glen from 1981 to 1983. People would stop by and ask to see the gardens. I also seem to remember one of the local TV stations coming to do a piece on it.

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In tours

2009 Preservation Durham Old Durham Home Tour: Morehead Hill by gary, Sun, 12/16/2012 - 10:18am

Last updated

Mon, 03/11/2013 - 1:36pm by gary

Location

35° 59' 21.354" N, 78° 54' 31.3992" W

See map: Google Maps

Comments

913

South Duke Street

Durham

Cross street:

West Cobb Street

Built in

1911

Architectural style:

Colonial Revival

Construction type:

Masonry

Stucco

Local historic district:

National Register:

Neighborhood:

Type:

Use:

The 2 1/2 story Colonial Revival house at 913 South Duke St. was built around 1911 by Mr. and Mrs. John Lipscomb. Mr. Lipscomb was a manager at the Durham Loan and Trust and vice-president of the Durham Realty and Insurance Co. His wife's father, Louis A. Carr (no relation to Julian Carr,) had lived directly across South Duke St. from this house.

In 1945, the house was sold to Will Carr (who was a nephew of Julian Carr) and his wife Louise Carr (who was Mrs. Lipscomb's sister.) Mrs. Carr lived here until 1967, when the house became the property of Dr. Ralph Baum.

The current owner has extensively renovated and restored the house, which up until about 5 or 6 years had a certain, ah, faded grandeur.

Looking southeast, January 2008.

Comments

I am really glad to see that

Permalink Submitted by MK on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 1:12am

I am really glad to see that the house was restored, but it is very sad that the garden was removed. Doug Ruhren had one of the nicest gardens in Durham there. He is very fine plantsman. Perhaps the new owners did not realize what they had.

Yes I agree. The garden was a

Permalink Submitted by menshi mihas on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 1:56pm

Yes I agree. The garden was a hidden botanical retreat.

I am the current owner - and

Permalink Submitted by Rochelle on Mon, 01/12/2009 - 4:37pm

I am the current owner - and I most certainly did appreciate the botanical treasures Doug left behind. Unfortunately both of the enormous oaks in the front fell over (crushing two of my cars) - thus subjecting that lovely shade garden to too much light. I have carefully transported as many of the plants and bulbs as I could to the rear - to another shade area. So - the garden lives on - although not in the front.

I lived in the house with

Permalink Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/10/2010 - 4:18am

I lived in the house with Doug and Glen from 1981 to 1983. People would stop by and ask to see the gardens. I also seem to remember one of the local TV stations coming to do a piece on it.