837 Wilkerson Ave

35.999303, -78.917335

837
Durham
NC
Cross Street
Year built
1905
Year(s) modified
1990
Architectural style
Neighborhood
Use
Building Type
Local ID
113854
State ID
DH3068
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837WilkersonAve.JPG

Smith House – c. 1905

This two-story, triple-A-roofed house is three-bays wide and single pile with a one-story gabled rear ell on the right side. The house, which had fallen into ruin in the 1980s has been renovated, but also highly altered. The original front porch has been removed and a modern deck-like porch exists, along with an exterior stair to a door centered on the second-floor façade. The building is covered with vinyl siding and has replacement windows, each with a small pent-roof sheltering the opening. The front door is a modern replacement, but retains the original sidelights and transom. The earliest known occupants of the house are Miss Ada R. Smith, Ernest R. Smith (clerk), and John E. Smith (carpenter) in 1905. Members of the Smith family remained in the house through at least 1930.

Shed, c. 1990 – One-story, front-gabled, frame shed features plywood sheathing, an asphalt-shingled roof and a single, four-panel wood door at the front.

(From the Burch Ave. National Register Listing.)

Comments

When I was young I visited relatives that lived on that street and around the corner on Gattis. "Miss Ada" was an older woman (I think a spinster or widowed) and still living in the house in the late 50s & early 60s. We brought her dinner plates during Holidays and Sundays. I remember she had over a dozen cats roaming the house. Grown-ups told us to always use the front door when we brought her snacks because there was an open well in the rear yard and, "You kids will fall to ya death!"

In reply to by Robert

Thanks for the story, Robert! If you have any photos or further info, please share!

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