Eakes-Atwater House

(Below in italics is from the 2003 Lakewood Park National Register listing; not verified for accuracy by this author.)

Eakes House. One-story tri-gable house with 2/2 sash windows and a hipped porch.Vinyl covers the walls and boxed eaves, and the turned porch posts are probably replacements. Geneva Eakes, widow of John W. Eakes, was the occupant in the 1920s. [1921, 1930 CD]

(The information below in italics is from the Preservation Durham Plaque Application for the Eakes-Atwater House)

The original resident, Geneva Eakes, was born on November 4, 1890 as Geneva McFarland. In 1920, she lived at 609 Roxboro St prior to moving to 1813 Bivins in 1921. In the city directories of the time, she is variously referred to as "Jenny" and "Eva" Eakes. She was married on March 20, 1910, when she was 19 years old, to John W. Eakes, who was 27 years old at the time. By the time she moved into 1813 Bivins, she was a widow, and there is no death record of John W. Eakes in Durham County. Given the 1910-1920 timeframe, it is possible that he died in World War One or as a result of the Spanish influenza, however this is uncertain. 
With the onset of the Great Depression, in 1929 Geneva's in-law Earl W. Eakes, a tobacco worker, moved in as a roomer. By 1932, perhaps due to economic reasons, Geneva sold 1813 Bivins to Haywood B. Latta, while she and Earl moved a few blocks away to 1506 Bivins. 1813 Bivins was then occupied by renters, Rupert L. and Nettie L. Bishop, he serving as the assistant manager of Hillandale Golf Course. Haywood W. Latta, who owned the home, lived as a roomer with family within sight of his property on the corner of James and Bivins, at 1421 James St. 1813 Bivins was a crowded house at this time, as Rupert and Nettie Bishop were joined by their relative Mary Bishop, along with Elmer W. Honeycutt and his wife Pearl. 

This highlights the interesting and consistent dynamics which emerge from examining the city directories, especially during the 1930s: the number and fluidity of roomers, and often extended family members, in homes. Although many roomers changed residence, they often stayed in the neighborhood. For example, in 1932 Geneva Eakes sold her house and moved to 1506 Bivins. There she lived with Earl, Edna and Algy Eakes, before moving closer to her old home at 1801 Bivins between 1935 and 1939. There, she lived with relatives Ray A., Annie M. and M Pauline Eakes. As we have seen, in 1933, 1813 Bivins had at least five people living there as renters, some of whom, like Elmer Honeycutt, worked for the roofing business of the Edward J and Martha Latta, who also lived at 1421 James St. Likewise, in 1937 Charles H. Vowell and his wife Betty H were roomers in 1813 Bivins, which was otherwise occupied by Frank E. and Edith Staples and their two children, before moving next door to 1811 Bivins in 1938. There, the Vowells took in roomers, whose circumstances they were no doubt familiar with. Overall, during this period one gets a sense of tough times, crowded homes, limited geographic mobility, and close knit communities. 

Such practices continued into the 1940s. When Alfred ("Alf") D. Atwater (born at Duke Hospital on 12/14/1912) and his wife Julia B. lived there with their daughter Lena V., they also took in roomers such as Chester Bowling, a painter. In 1940, Barbara Brinkley, a widow, moved in and would remain there for almost a decade. In 1942, 1813 Bivins received its first telephone line (the number was 7-4228). In the next year Alf Atwater obtained a new position at L and M Tobacco, promoted from being a tobacco worker to working as a machine operator. In 1947 Alf worked a stint at Lakewood Refrigeration Service, before returning the next year to L and M Tobacco. By 1955 Alf was still at L and M, working as a mechanic, however he and Julia would separate in 1957. Julia retained the home at 1813 Bivins, and also found employment as an inspector at L and M Tobacco. For his part, in 1961 Alf lived as a roomer in 1907 Watson St, however by 1962 he had remarried, to Margaret Atwater, who was born Margaret Rigsbee. Alf continued to work at L and M, would serve as union president, and returned to his old neighborhood at 1109 Huntington Ave. He died on May 28, 1985 of sepsis related to adenocarcinoma, believed to be of the pancreas. 

On January 30, 1954, Lina V. Atwater married Murphy Thomas Wagner, when both were 22 years old, the marriage license having been granted two weeks earlier on January 15, 1954. In 1963, Lina inherited the home at 1813 Bivins, which she held until 1977 when she sold it to Phillip and Brenda Clegg, of Clegg's Pest Control. In 1998, the Cleggs sold it to Peter J. Ray and Megan McGuire. They recognized the historical importance of the home, and in 2006, with the Durham Preservation Society, placed a covenant on it to preserve many of the significant historical elements. In 2017 the home was purchased by Susan Halabi and Nicholas Robins, and updated in accordance with the covenant. Today, the home continues to encapsulate and reflect the history of the Lakewood neighborhood and Durham more broadly. 

Photo Credits: Preservation Durham, July 15, 2025