Rufus Powell House

Rufus Powell House, 1980 (DHAI)

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

The combination of pedimented gables, Ionic porch columns, multiple rooflines, polygonal bays and intricately leaded entrance surround reflect the 1900s construction date of this Neo-Colonial house. The seven-room house has been expanded with two additions to the rear. Rufus Powell, a "captain" with the Durham-Oxford Railroad, had the house built for himself and his family.    Around 1950 the Calvary Methodist Church acquired the property and traded it for the Tyson property adjacent to the church on E. Trinity Ave. To aid in the trade the church· converted the Powell House into one large dwelling unit and several smaller ones so that Mrs. Tyson could rent rooms to patients of Dr. Kempner's rice diet clinic (originally headquartered directly across Lamond Ave.). The house has been re-converted to single-family dwelling, and has been re-converted to commercial use.

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Rufus H. Powell purchased this property on February 15, 1909 from W. H. and Bessie Boone for $1,700.00. The July 21, 1909 Durham Morning Herald reported that Lamond Avenue "has in the course of construction half a dozen residences which greatly enhance the value of that street as a residential section. Several have already been built and one of the prettiest places on it is the house of Captain R. H. Powell. Captain Powell is preparing to move from Morris street where he has occupied Dr. J. T. McCracken's large house and will be in his new one within a few weeks."

 

Rufus Powell House, 03.13.10 (Photo by Gary Kueber)