207-209 Morgan St

Several attractive storefronts lined the south side of Morgan St. between Holland St. on the west side and Rigsbee Ave. on the east. The Piedmont Furniture Co. was located on the southeast corner of Holland and Morgan (at 219-223 Morgan St.)

The businesses in the 200 block of Morgan St. directly faced the Big 4 warehouse and the Star Brick warehouse; many of the businesses in the early 20th century were geared towards farmers who had come to town to sell tobacco - such as the Farmer's Cafe.

Looking south, 211 Rigsbee, 1940.
(Courtesy Library of Congress)

It seems so rare that any photographers captured segregation in action - I'm grateful when its documented. While I obviously know this is how things were, it remains shocking to me to see it.

A closer view of the establishment.
(Courtesy Library of Congress)

The pool hall next door. Does this really say "Whiskers pulled out" ? And "Haircuts: Burned or Knocked Off." Maybe I'm not up on the keen 1940s lingo, but that's not a barber I'd go to.
(Courtesy Library of Congress)

Looking east down Morgan from in front of the cafe, 1940.
(Courtesy Library of Congress)

This business quieted down considerably by the 1960s, when the series of photos below were taken.

207-209 Morgan, December 1963.

(Courtesy Louise Hall Collection / Durham County LIbrary)

In ~1968, these structures were demolished by the city using urban renewal funds.

(Courtesy Louise Hall Collection / Durham County LIbrary)

The parcels have been surface parking since then.

Looking southeast, 2007.