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Interesting Facts
- Durham began as a Native American village named Adshusheer on the Great Indian Trading Path. It was resettled by Scot, Irish and English colonists in the 1700s and named Durham in 1853 in honor of Bartlett S. Durham, a local physician.
- Is there a doctor in the house? Yes, quite a few, in fact! Dubbed the City of Medicine, Durham boasts five times more physicians per person than the national average and is world renowned for its healthcare facilities, cutting edge research ventures and educational institutions.
- Bull Durham smoking tobacco, a brand of tobacco that existed well into the 20th century, was founded in Durham. John R. Green owned the tobacco factory and named the tobacco Bull Durham after the picture of a bull on the jar of Coleman's mustard. Eventually the image of the bull was appearing in advertisements all around the world. A Bull Durham ad painted behind the NY Yankees' dugout even inspired a new baseball expression, "bullpen."
- Around 1905, West Parrish Street in Durham switched from being an industrial district to a commercial one when the North Carolina Mutual and Provident Association, an African-American owned and operated insurance company, bought several lots there. The company, now known as North Carolina Mutual Life, remains the largest African-American-managed financial institution in the world.
- Check your history books! The Civil War effectively ended in Durham at Bennett Place (now Bennett Place State Historic Site), when Confederate General Johnston surrendered to Union General Sherman ... 17 days after Lee's surrender at Appomattox.
- With more than 7100 guest rooms, accommodations in the Durham range from charming bed and breakfast inns to luxury hotels. That said, keep in mind that the area is home to many colleges and universities, and it's not unusual for them to have several events going on at once, often making reservations a must. A particularly busy month is May, when most schools hold graduation – if you don't book in advance, you may just be out of luck!
- In 1906, local pharmacists Germain Bernard and Commodore Council developed BC Headache Powder, an innovative remedy that helped pave the way to Durham's ascension as a center for groundbreaking medical research and hospitals.
- While visiting Durham it would almost be sinful not to indulge in what North Carolina is famous for – Barbecue! There are two "schools" of barbecue in North Carolina: Western uses a red, tomato based sauce; Eastern, meanwhile, uses a distinctive vinegar based sauce and is a true North Carolina creation!
- If you love sports, you'll love Durham. Hall of Fame hoops coach John McLendon's developed his "four corners"offense right here at North Carolina Central University. On the Duke campus, three-time NCAA-championship-winning Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his Blue Devils hold sway in Cameron Indoor Stadium, where season tickets have been sold out for years. Baseball fans should also note that Durham is home to the Bulls, a minor league affiliate that achieved legendary status in the late 80s thanks to the hit film Bull Durham.
- Since the 1930s, Durham has been a key player in the Piedmont Blues movement, a style of music characterized by intricate fingerpicking and a unique sound reminiscent of ragtime. Among the legends who've played and perfected the art are Blind Boy Fuller, Bull City Red, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Reverend Gary Davis.
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