709-715 Washington Street

36.004443, -78.902902

709-715
Durham
NC
Construction type
Neighborhood
Use
Building Type
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709-715Washington_060708.jpg

06.07.08

UPDATE 10.10.13: Napa/Walker Auto parts vacated 709 Washington St. in November 2012 (moved to 802 E. Geer in a new building) and the owner thereafter listed the property for sale. The property sold to a private developer in May 2013 for at least $450,000. There are many rumors swirling around the future use of this property given its sales price, but the latest guess is a possible restaurant and blues music bar. To be determined. NOTE: The 715 Washington parcel is separate (though attached) and still owned by developer Alex Washburn, and currently rented to an art troupe as well as the Durham Bike Co-Op.

07.26.15 (G. Kueber)

Comments

Indeed Blue Note Grill occupies the 709 address and the Durham Distillery is now in 711.  The coal trestle behind these two buildings was once used to bring coal into town to heat homes and businesses.  The Durham City Schools picked up coal here.  Crushed glass was also delivered to this trestle and was used as an additive for paint used in lining city streets.  I believe the folks at Erwin Oil have cleaned up the mess that used to be on and under this trestle.  This trestle was one of several in this section of Durham from the 1890's to the 1950's, all on spurs of the Durham or Duke Belt Line.  When steam powered locomotives were replaced by diesel and businesses and residences moved away from coal to heat buildings and generate power, all of the trestles except this one were removed.   

Image removed.

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