Sessoms-Markham House

35.989395, -78.924333

1817
Durham
NC
Cross Street
Year(s) modified
1980s-2000s
Neighborhood
Building Type
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One of the more unusual and attractive house designs in Lakewood, and in Durham, is the Sessoms-Markham house, with its large front and side gambrel-roof gable and wrapped front porch. The house was inhabited for many years by JO Markham, a Liggett and Myers employee.

At some point in the last 30 years, the house was converted to commercial use and houses offices, as do many of the former houses on this portion of Chapel Hill Road.

 

 

 

 

 



I'm always happy when houses have been adaptively reused by businesses rather than the too-common 1960s-1970s teardown-and-replace with a squat,bland box of a structure surrounded by surface parking.


35.989395,-78.924333

 

Comments

Now that you mention it, that house is quite the mash-up of Queen Anne, Dutch Colonial, and a few other styles. But it all works together pleasingly. Thanks for pointing it out.

My name is Charles Edward Markham. I live in Nixa Missouri and I am one of the grand sons of Johnson Olive Markham. I was in Durham about (3) week ago with my (2) brothers, George Britton and Thomas Byrd Markham. We brought our fathers ashes (George Britton Markham sr.) to be buried with his father (Johnson Olive Markham) in the Markham Memorial Cemetery on Farrington rd. I suspect that my father might have lived in that same house (1910 Chapel Hill Rd.), with my grandmother,Josie Byrd Markham. It was probably before their separation. I understand that there was a big disagreement among the other Markham's. When J.O. left, or was admitted to a State Hospital, the other Markham's did not want to assist Joey and my father in any way. Eventually, she had to move in with her mother and father. Her maiden name was( Josie Byrd). All these years, my father was very closed mouth about his side of the family. We found out a lot during our visit to Durham. Durham is a wonderful place.

Would anyone happen to know about what years J.O. Markham resided in the 1910 Chapel Hill Rd., house ? I recently received a photo of my father sitting on the front porch of a house in Durham. I think it could this same house. In the picture, he was about (5) years old and in a dark suit. The picture was taken in 1919. That would put them in the house as early as 1914, (his birth date sept. 8th 1914), possibly. Any additional info. would be greatly appreciated.

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