Bryan-Wells House

1981

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

Large two story structure with hipped dormer and pedimented porch with classical details; weatherboard siding. Local grocery store operated here in 1903 by J.B. Kelly, and in 1911 by William S. Colclough, who moved from his prior location of 823 North Mangum Street.
 

(The information below in italics is from the Preservation Durham Historic Plaque Application for the Bryan-Wells House)

We believe that, up until 1916, the structure on what is now 833 N. Mangum St. was a grocery (the structure is likely part of the current house). In 1916, 831 N. Mangum appears to be split. That year was the first year with documentation that someone lived in a home at 833 N. Mangum St. 

Based on hours of research and documentation, we believe that the house, as it stands today, was built by Kenneth U. Bryan in 1917 (Bryan bought the property in October of 1916). As noted above, Kenneth U. Bryan purchased a portion of the property from his business partner William E. Byrd, just after Byrd bought the entire lot. We could not find a building permit, plans, or builder documentation for this house to support the date of construction. Based on conversations with our builder and comparing the materials used on this house with the one next door, we believe that 831 N. Mangum and 833 N. Mangum were built at the same time. The 1917 Durham Directory  is the first record of someone living at 833 N. Mangum St. 

Byrd and Bryan were retail business partners, as noted in numerous Durham Directory pages. 
The Kenneth Bryan family lived in the house for 23 years, from 1916/17 to 1939. 

The Colton Wells family lived in the house for 33 years, from 1939 to 1972. Colton's wife moved out in 1964. Colton Wells was a building contractor. 

The Ernest L. Parrish family lived in the house for eight years, from 1964 to 1972. 

We believe that in 2000 or shortly after, the house was converted into an undocumented duplex ... Even though the home was used as a duplex, many of the homes original features were in tact including the hardwood floors, v-groove beadboard walls and ceilings, six fireplaces with original tile, numerous original windows, interior doors, the original front door, and the original plaster walls.