Central Filling Station

Looking south at the Central Filling Station, late 1920s.
(From "Images of America: Durham" by Stephen Massengill)
 

JR Day house, looking southeast from Roxboro and East Main Streets, 1895

The James R Day house took up most of the southern 300 block of East Main St. As labeled on the Sanborn map below, it was even noted as "Central Hotel." I haven't read any other reference to this, and the label is absent in subsequent years.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of the 300 block of East Main St., 1902.

Day received the substantial parcel on which this house sat in a conveyance from J.E. Day on March 26, 1875. By its appearance, my guess is that it was built in the 1880s. Day was a tobacco manufacturer. 

Below, the Day house from the rear, as well as the First Presbyterian Church to the left, and the barely-visible steeple of St. Philip's to the right.

Looking north, 1899.
(Courtesy Duke Archives)

Day and his wife conveyed the house to Frank L. Fuller, Sr. and his wife Lillian on August 24, 1909. Fuller was an attorney - as the deed refers to the house as the residence of Frank Fuller, it seems logical that Fuller and his wife rented the house prior to purchase.

In 1917, Fuller subdivided the land, and the house was demolished.

1917 subdivision plat - you can see the outline of the house.

The Durham Sun building, the Astor Theater, a Freemason's Lodge and a service station were constructed on the property.

Looking south at the Central Filling Station, late 1920s. The Johnson Motor Company is out of frame to the left.
(From "Images of America: Durham" by Stephen Massengill)

Johnson Motor Company - the former service station is to the right, 1968
(Courtesy Noell Nicholson Schepp)

The former Johnson Service Station, looking south-southwest, 2007.