Everything Durham is known for
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Durham, North Carolina, a city known for its prestigious universities and historic tobacco industry, also boasts a rich musical heritage. Sixty-five artists call Durham home, contributing to a diverse soundscape that includes gospel, rhythm and blues, rock, and electronic music. Artists such as gospel legend Shirley Caesar and funk icon Betty Davis hail from Durham.
The city's musical presence is further highlighted by six songs that mention Durham, including "American Tobacco Company" by BJ Barham and "Laila’s Wisdom" by Rapsody. Durham's history as an epicenter of Piedmont blues and its ongoing support for various genres demonstrate its significant contributions to music.
Showing top 20 of 64 artists · Hear more in the free iPhone app
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Durham.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, nestled at a surprisingly high elevation compared to the flat coastal plains, carries a certain weight of history. The town's youthful spirit, fueled by the University of North Carolina, mixes with echoes of both triumph and controversy.
Chapel Hill sits apart from the flat expanse of the North Carolina coastal plain, rising nearly 500 feet above sea level. This slight elevation, coupled with its location near the New Hope Chapel, gave the town its name in 1793. But the real reason Chapel Hill became what it is today lies in the establishment of the University of North Carolina. It wasn't just a school; it was the first public university in the state, and its presence transformed the surrounding area. Education and healthcare became the dominant economic forces, drawing bright minds and ambitious professionals. But ask a local why people truly stay, and they'll tell you it's something deeper. It's the feeling of intellectual curiosity that permeates the air, the youthful spirit that clashes with the town's historical weight, even the tension between progressive ideals and the lingering shadow of the past, like the Southern Partisan magazine that once called this place home. It's a town that both embraces and wrestles with its identity, and that ongoing conversation is what keeps people rooted here.
Chapel Hill's story is one of elevation, both literally and figuratively. Perched nearly 500 feet above the coastal plain, the town's origins are rooted in higher ideals – a pursuit of knowledge and a sense of community. It started with a simple chapel, New Hope Chapel, its hilltop location giving the nascent town its name in 1793. Over time, the presence of the University of North Carolina shaped the very soul of the place, imbuing it with a scholarly, youthful spirit that persists today. Education and healthcare became cornerstones of its economy, driven by the ever-expanding university. The town hasn't been without its darker chapters. The Old Well, a beloved campus landmark, is rumored to house the ghosts of students felled by typhoid, a stark reminder of the past's fragility. More recently, a devastating fire on Franklin Street in 1996 gutted local businesses, scarring the heart of the town. Even the roar of the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup win in 2006 couldn't mask these tensions. Chapel Hill, for all its youthful energy, carries the weight of its past, a past it continues to grapple with as it looks towards the future.
Originally Trinity College, transformed by tobacco magnate James B. Duke's $40 million endowment in 1924.
63 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
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You're driving through the heart of Durham, a place that transformed from a railroad stop to a tobacco and textile powerhouse. The Downtown Durham Historic District really took shape in the early 1900s, reflecting…
Ever heard of Bull Durham Tobacco? It started right here. W.T. Blackwell and Company built their factory in Durham in 1874. They created Bull Durham Tobacco, which became the first nationally marketed tobacco brand in…
This spot isn't just bricks and mortar; it's the heart of Durham's transformation from a small town to a tobacco empire. In the late 1800s, the American Tobacco Company and its forerunners began constructing this…
This spot was the heart of a textile empire that helped transform Durham. The Erwin Cotton Mills Company Mill No. 1 Headquarters Building was constructed in 1892. This massive, two-story brick building stretched over…
This unassuming brick complex was once the heart of Durham's booming textile industry. The Durham Hosiery Mill, built in 1902, quickly became a major employer in the Edgemont neighborhood. The original mill featured a…
Ever wonder how Durham became a manufacturing hub? It all started here at the Golden Belt Historic District. In 1900, the Golden Belt Manufacturing Company established a plant here, becoming a major textile producer.…
These imposing brick buildings aren't just old; they're monuments to Durham's tobacco boom. This is the Bright Leaf Historic District, and it tells a story of industry, innovation, and a little bit of smoke. From the…
Pull over here a sec, because this unassuming intersection of Foster and Geer Streets whispers tales of Durham's booming 20th-century commercial life. This area, known as the West End, was more than just bricks and…
These warehouses, now known as Brightleaf Square, stand as a reminder of Durham's booming tobacco industry. Back in 1904, these two identical brick warehouses were built to store massive amounts of tobacco. They were…
Prepare to be amazed by architectural time travel. Right here, side-by-side, stand two homes representing vastly different styles. The Dillard-Gamble Houses showcase the Colonial Revival style, popular in the early…
Pull over for a moment and let's talk about a place that helped build Durham's Black community: Emmanuel AME Church. It’s more than just bricks and mortar; it's a symbol of resilience and community strength. This Gothic…
These streets tell a story of ambition and community, built on the shoulders of Durham's booming textile industry. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, East Durham blossomed as a residential hub, fueled by the success of…
Prepare to be transported to an era of Durham's elite, where tobacco fortunes met architectural grandeur. The Mary Duke Biddle Estate, also known as Pinecrest, stands as a testament to the Duke family's influence and…
This spot was once home to Durham's first hospital, a place where lives were saved and history was made. Back in 1895, tobacco magnate George W. Watts funded the construction of Watts Hospital. It was a modern, 22-bed…
Originally Trinity College, transformed by tobacco magnate James B. Duke's $40 million endowment in 1924.
Ever wonder where all that Duke money came from? It started right here. In the mid-1850s, Washington Duke transitioned his small farm to tobacco production. He initially processed it himself, then later with his sons.…
Here, in 1865, the largest surrender of Confederate troops marked a turning point in the Civil War. This is Bennett Place, a simple farm that played host to complex negotiations. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston…
This tranquil spot on the Eno River was once a bustling center of commerce, thanks to the power of water and ingenuity. In 1778, the original West Point Mill was built here, grinding grain for local farmers. Over the…
Imagine a time when North Carolina plantations shaped the landscape and economy. That's Fairntosh Plantation. Built in stages, the older section likely dates back to the mid-1800s. It grew into a larger, impressive…
Prepare to be transported back in time. Stagville was part of one of the largest plantations in the South, offering a glimpse into a complex and difficult period of American history. Stagville Plantation was part of a…
Imagine the lives lived here, under the heavy weight of slavery. Horton Grove, part of the massive Bennehan-Cameron plantation, was home to enslaved African-Americans. Built in the early 1850ss by enslaved craftsmen,…
Pull over here for a second; this place is like stepping back in time! Rocky Ridge Farm is a preserved historic district showcasing life in rural North Carolina. It really took shape in two main periods: between 1928…
Step inside Old Chapel Hill Cemetery, a silent witness to centuries of UNC history and the final resting place for many who shaped it. Established in 1798, the cemetery holds the remains of university presidents,…
This unassuming brick building holds a powerful distinction: it's the first state university building in the United States. Known as Old East, construction began in 1793 on the campus of the University of North Carolina…
Pull over here for a second; this unassuming spot was once the heart of a bustling plantation. Hardscrabble, also known as Pleasant Grove, is a historic plantation home that uniquely showcases two distinct architectural…
This unassuming building has witnessed over a century and a half of drama, laughter, and groundbreaking performances. The Playmakers Theatre, originally known as Smith Hall, has been a cornerstone of the University of…
Imagine attending church services in the 1700s – St. Mary's Chapel offers a tangible link to those early days of faith in North Carolina. Founded in 1759, it stands as one of the earliest Anglican congregations in the…
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, nestled at a surprisingly high elevation compared to the flat coastal plains, carries a certain weight of history. The town's youthful spirit, fueled by the University of North Carolina,…
This house offers a rare glimpse into the world of mid-century modern architecture right here in North Carolina. Designed in the International Style, it's a testament to a specific design philosophy that was gaining…
Pull over and prepare to step back in time at the Carolina Inn, a landmark right on UNC's campus! This isn't just a hotel; it's a piece of Chapel Hill's history. The Carolina Inn first opened its doors in 1924. It was…
Ever wonder what life was like on a family farm in the late 1800s? This is your chance to get a glimpse. The Holden–Roberts Farm, also known as Rolling Acres Farm, has a story to tell. Built around 1873, the farmhouse…
Ever wonder what life was like for textile mill workers? This neighborhood, the Thomas F. Lloyd Historic District, offers a peek into that past. Back in 1910, Thomas F. Lloyd built a textile mill here in Carrboro. To…
Picture the roar of engines and the thrill of the race at Occoneechee Speedway, one of NASCAR's original tracks! This isn't just any old patch of land; it's a piece of racing history. Occoneechee Speedway was among the…
Imagine a time when crossroads communities were the heart of rural life, and Carpenter, North Carolina, was one of those vital hubs. This district tells that story. Between about 1895 and 1933, Carpenter blossomed. The…
Stop here, near Hillsborough, and you're practically standing in the doorway of the past. This is Ayr Mount, a window into the lives of early Americans. Around 1799, William Kirkland, an immigrant from Ayr, Scotland,…
Dating back to 1775, this house witnessed the American Revolution and the early days of the United States. The Lane-Bennett House, also known as the Joe Bennett House, is a historic home near Raleigh. The original…
You're approaching Hillsborough, a place practically overflowing with North Carolina history! This district, encompassing over 500 buildings, has witnessed centuries of change. Hillsborough served as a vital political…
Prepare to be transported back in time to a place that shaped young minds and challenged societal norms. The Burwell School, right here in Hillsborough, was more than just a school; it was a beacon of education and…
This unassuming farm tells a powerful story about the crop that shaped this region: tobacco. The Hampton–Ellis Farm, including this farmhouse, dates back to around 1900. It started as a simple one-story home, but was…
Pull over here for a minute; this place has some serious history. This is Heartsease, and it dates all the way back to 1770, giving us a peek into life right before the Revolutionary War. Heartsease is believed to have…
Admire the Queen Anne style architecture of this 1904 farmhouse, a well-preserved example of rural North Carolina living. It's a window into a way of life that's slowly fading away. The Cannady–Brogden Farm was built in…
These brick walls whisper of a time when North Carolina was rapidly industrializing. The Bellevue Manufacturing Company, built around 1909, was a textile mill that processed cotton into fabric. It quickly expanded,…
This spot whispers tales of a Confederate officer's vision for education, cut short by the Civil War. Colonel Charles C. Tew, a veteran of the Mexican-American War, founded Hillsborough Military Academy here. He aimed…
Imagine being a guest at a governor's grand estate. That's the feeling Montrose evokes. This land was once home to William Alexander Graham, a prominent figure in North Carolina's history, and his wife, Susannah Sarah…
Pull over for a second, because this unassuming spot was once a bustling hub of early American life. Back before 1792, a grist mill was built here, right on the Eno River. Then, around 1808, the Faucett House went up, a…
Imagine Cary, North Carolina, without a center. That almost happened until Allison Francis Page built this hotel around 1868. Later purchased by J.R. Walker, it quickly became the social and commercial heart of the…
Since 1853, this fair has showcased North Carolina's agricultural heritage and provided a place for fun and community. The North Carolina State Fair began as a way to promote agriculture and showcase the state's…
Prepare to be amazed by the architectural marvel that is Dorton Arena! This unique building has been a Raleigh landmark since 1952. Originally called the State Fair Arena, Dorton Arena quickly became a hub for all sorts…
Step inside a well-preserved example of mid-century modern architecture at the Paul and Ellen Welles House. Paul and Ellen Welles commissioned this home in 1956. It's a two-story dwelling showcasing the Modern Movement…
Feast your eyes on the Henry L. Kamphoefner House, a pivotal spark that ignited Raleigh's Modernist architecture scene! In the mid-1940s, Henry Kamphoefner, a visionary architect and educator, arrived in Raleigh to head…
Admire the innovative design of the Milton Small House, a modernist gem built on a steep hillside in 1951. G. Milton Small, a faculty member at North Carolina State College's School of Design, designed this house as his…
Imagine starting life over with nothing but hope. That's the story of Method, North Carolina. After the Civil War, formerly enslaved people established this village, then known as Method, seeking a fresh start. Berry…
Stand here and you're standing on the shoulders of industry, where the Falls of the Neuse powered a vital paper mill. Construction on the main mill building began around 1854, a massive three-story granite structure…
This 1914 railroad station evokes the golden age of train travel. Apex wouldn't even exist without it. The Apex Union Depot was built in 1914 by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. It also served the Durham and Southern…
Pull over here for a second and think about the power of education. This area was once home to the Rev. M. L. Latta House, the last standing building of Latta University. Rev. Latta founded the University in 1892. It…
Right here stands a silent witness to the resilience of a community forged from freedom. This is the Rev. Plummer T. Hall House, a cornerstone of Oberlin Village, a freedmen's community established after the Civil War.…
This house stands as a powerful reminder of resilience and self-determination in the face of adversity. Built in the 1880s, the Willis M. Graves House was more than just a home; it was a symbol of a thriving freedman's…
Imagine grand parties and important decisions being made right here, because this is the Crabtree Jones House, one of the oldest private residences in Raleigh! Nathaniel Jones Jr. built this plantation home around 1808…
Ever notice how neighborhoods seem to tell a story? Vanguard Park Historic District is no exception, offering a glimpse into Raleigh's urban growth. Construction here kicked off around 1920, lining the streets with…
Ever wonder about the classic ranch houses that sprung up after World War II? This particular one, known as the Arthur McKimmon II House, is a really well-preserved example. Built in 1951, it's a single-story ranch with…
Wander through this charming historic district, a snapshot of Raleigh's residential architecture from the early 20th century. Roanoke Park, southeast of the Five Points intersection, began taking shape in 1913.…
Hold on tight! You're about to enter a world of swirling color and turn-of-the-century charm on the Pullen Park Carousel. This isn't just any carousel; it's a meticulously preserved piece of Americana. Built in 1900,…
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