Joseph and Minnie Hamblin Roberts House

The house in 2006 pre-renovation when it was still apartments.  Courtesy: Triangle Multiple Listing Service  

(Below in italics is from the 1984 National Register listing; not verified for accuracy by this author.)

Unusual massive two story, classically detailed, with weatherboard siding. Main body of house has hip roof, pedimented projecting pavilion on one side of front facade with dentils and lunette window in pediment, and dentils along eaves of entire length of roof. Highly unusual dormer in front with classically detailed gable roof with returns and another lunette window. Large attached front porch with bungalow piers.

02.12.11
 

(The information below in italics is from the Historic Preservation Society of Durham Plaque Application for the Joseph and Minnie Hamblin Roberts House)

Even though Joseph Roberts owned the property at 311 E. Trinity in 1910, he and Minnie did not move there until 1916 or 1917. Before then, they lived at 428 Wilkerson Avenue. Perhaps they were building the house during those 6 years, or waiting until they could afford to construct their home. 

Once in the Trinity Ave. house, Minnie Hamlin Roberts lived surrounded by her family. In 1920, three houses on Trinity Avenue (201 W., 109 E. and 401 E.) were residences of Hamlins. Jasper Hamlin lived with his wife Inez at 201 W. Trinity and worked at the American Suppliers with his brother-in-law, Joseph Roberts. Lonnie Hamlin and his wife Mabel V. lived at 401 E. Trinity, with David Hamlin, a student. Finally, Miss Kathleen and Jefferson D. lived at 109 E. (J. D. Hamlin was both a county commissioner and city councilman, at different times). Also, the next street east of 311 E. (now called Rosetta Drive) is named Hamlin on the 1937 Sanborn maps. 

Around the corner and on the edge of town on Roxboro, lived Mrs. Ida Hamlin, mother of the Hamlin family and referred to in the 1930 city directory as "matron". Many of the Hamlins, including Jasper, Inez, Lonnie, Mabel, and David are buried at Maplewood Cemetery, as are the Roberts. 
 

"Cornfield Destruction, 311 East Trinity" - 07.15.54
(Courtesy The Herald-Sun Newspaper)