Lot 7
Northwest Corner of Churton Street and Margaret Lane
Thomas Canby's Ordinary/Tavern
c. 1768
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​William Churton originally sold this lot in 1757 to Andrew Corbin Reed (c.1745-1805). Although no surviving deed records Thomas Canby as the owner, historians believe that he operated an ordinary on it in the 1760s. In 1768, Canby is identified as a “Tavern Keeper in Hillsboro” in a bill of sale for household goods to William Reed Jr. (1739-1813), who was also a tavern keeper. Included among the items sold was a pair of money scales and weights. This was an essential item for any person conducting a retail business.
Sauthier’s 1768 drawing reveals a large building and an accompanying outbuilding directly on the corner of Churton Street and Margaret Lane.
Historians have assumed these structures to be an Inn and a stable.
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An ordinary was a business establishment that was licensed to provide the public with alcohol, food, and overnight accommodations. Beginning in 1710, North Carolina laws required ordinaries to have a yearly license. The term “ordinary” was derived from the Ordinance Bonds that required the licenses and set the prices charged for services. In Orange County Court minutes, the terms “ordinary” and “tavern” were used synonymously, although taverns tended to focus on alcohol sales while ordinaries emphasized accommodations.
Ordinaries and taverns were also gathering places for entertainment. In colonial Hillsborough, popular forms of entertainment included “drinking, gambling, cock fighting, man fighting, and gouging,” especially at the quarterly County Courts.
(L.) British Crown Tax Mark Dice c. 1765
(C) A March 21, 1803 advertisement in the Raleigh Minerva for a racehorse owned by William Cain of Hillsborough
(R.) Sauthier’s 1768 drawing of the horse racing track in Hillsborough along the Eno River
After 1800, the term “tavern” started to replace “ordinary” for drinking establishments that might or might not allow the guest to stay overnight. A drinking parlor not offering meals or lodging was commonly referred to as a “tippling house.” Also around this time, the term “inn” came into use to describe an establishment offering overnight accommodations
Henry Thompson's Inn
c. 1792
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In 1777, Andrew Corbin Reed was once again in possession of the property and sold it to William Newman. Newman owned the lot until 1792. In that year, he sold it to Robert Duncan who sold it a few months later to Henry Thompson Sr. The Thompson family owned the property until 1819. By the time the property was sold, it was listed as consisting of a tavern, storehouse and dwelling house, together with kitchens stables, and outhouses. It was still an acre in size and had not been subdivided like other lots along Churton Street.
(L) The 1799 deed of transfer of the property from Henry Thompson Sr. to his daughter Sarah indicates that Henry had made "improvements."
(R) A February 18, 1820 advertisement in the North-Carolina Star for the sale of the inn.
Traveller's Inn
c. 1819
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Henry Thompson Jr. became the owner of the property in 1800. By 1819, he was heavily indebted to the Petersburg, VA firm of Brander & Hesloss and sold the property to James S. Brander and John G. Hesloss in February of 1819 and then to Hinton & Brame of Petersburg in September of that year to cover his enormous debts. The firm owned the property for less than a year. It is not certain when the name Traveller’s Inn was first used to identify the ordinary on lot 7, but it was in use in 1820 when the business was sold.
This May 1820 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder identifies the ordinary as Traveller’s Inn when it was sold by Messrs. Hinton & Brame.
Union Hotel
1820-c.1855
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While the deed for the sale of the inn was not recorded until 1821, Alexander Mason and William Clifton were advertising their purchase of the property in 1820. They boasted that they would provide “good beds, liquors, &c. and will keep as good a table as the country will afford.” They also proclaimed that they had excellent stables and would provide the horses with the best provender.
By November 1822, the hotel had been sold to stockholders. William Kirkland was president of the board. Under this new management, the name of the business changed to the Union Hotel. It was managed by Thomas Scott and became the meeting place for the Orange Agricultural Society.
(L) A November 11, 1822 notice in the Hillsborough Recorder about stockholders meetings for the Union Hotel
(R) A September 4, 1822 announcement in the Hillsborough Recorder of the new management at the Union Hotel
Although the hotel remained in business for at least the next thirty years, ownership continued to change. In 1834, the lot and the hotel were purchased by Mary and James Palmer. Then, in 1846, the Palmers sold it to Osmond F. Long and James Webb Jr. constituting firm Long & Webb Co.
By 1854, the hotel was for sale again. When the business it actually closed is unknown as is the fate of the hotel building. The structure was still in place in 1857 when it was mentioned in an advertisement for an equity sale of the lot across the street.
(L) A July 10, 1839 advertisement in the Raleigh Weekly Standard for the Union Hotel when it was managed by Mary Palmer and her son
(C) A February 20, 1845 article in the Hillsborough Recorder about a man who died while staying at the Union Hotel. The cause of death is listed as alcohol poisoning from too much drinking. The drunken man registered at the hotel under the name "John Smith."
(R) A September 24, 1946 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder for the Union Hotel when it was managed by Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Wren.
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Additionally, the Union Hotel had long-term renters who maintained businesses in their residencies.
(R) A July 12, 1854 notice in the Hillsborough Recorder for the sale the Union Hotel
J.L. Vaughan's Dancing School
1820
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In April 1820, J.L. Vaughan advertised that he was opening a dancing school for children and adults at the “House of Mr. Clifton,” presumably the Union Hotel. He listed William Kirkland, William Cain Jr., and Major John Taylor as references.
(L) J.L. Vaughan’s advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder.
(R) The Waltz and Quadrille were two popular dances in 1820.
Ann Johnson, Mantua-Maker
1839
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Ann Johnson worked from her home as a mantua-maker. Mantua-makers were dressmakers. They used a process called “cutting to the body” to create fitted clothing for women. Before mass-produced clothing, standardized sizing, or commercial patterns existed, fitted garments were made to each and every individual, regardless of socio-economic status. Fabric was laid against the body, folded, tucked, and smoothed around the form, and each shape cut right against the customer.
(L) Ann Johnson’s March 21, 1839 advertisement in the Hillsborough Recorder.
(R) A c. 1835 corset and dress from the collection of the LA County Museum
Dentists
1851 and 1855
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Two dentists operated businesses in the hotel: Dr. Bason in 1851 and D. Robertson in 1855. Whether Bason had a medical or other degree that merited his use of the title “doctor” is unknown.
At this time, the profession of dentistry was still in its formative years. It focused on extracting decayed teeth and plugging cavities. The first dental school in the US had opened in 1840. While the first Dental Society was founded in North Carolina in 1856, the state did not have a dental school until 1950 when one was established at UNC.
Advertisements for the dentists in the Hillsborough Recorder.
(L) April 30, 1851, Dr. Bason
(R) August 29, 1855, D. Robertson
J.H. Fritz Penmanship and Bookkeeping Services
1854
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J.H. Fritz advertised as a professional teacher of Penmanship and Bookkeeping science. He avowed that he would teach his classes scientifically and offered a money-back guarantee. Ladies would “acquire a fashionable epistolary style,” while gentlemen would learn a “legible, elegant, and rapid business hand.”
Fritz's ad appeared in the Hillsborough Recorder on July 12, 1854
In 1862, Thomas Webb and James Whitted purchased the entire one-acre lot. The price was 1/3 less than it had sold for in 1846, and no mention was made of a hotel being on the property. Twelve years later, a bankrupt James Whitted sold the entire lot to James Webb.
No sale of lot is recorded between 1874 and 1954. The Sanborn maps from 1888 through 1905 show only a “Negro” dwelling on the northwest corner of the lot. By 1911, the dwelling had been removed.
(L) 1888 Sanborn Map. (R) 1911 Sanborn Map.
In 1862, Thomas Webb and James Whitted purchased the entire one-acre lot. The price was 1/3 less than it had sold for in 1846, and no mention was made of a hotel being on the property. Twelve years later, a bankrupt James Whitted sold the entire lot to James Webb.
No sale of lot is recorded between 1874 and 1954. The Sanborn maps from 1888 through 1905 show only a “Negro” dwelling on the northwest corner of the lot. By 1911, the dwelling had been removed.
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​This dwelling was most likely built as slave quarters for Duncan Cameron who later owned Stagville, one of the largest plantations in North Carolina. He was recorded as owning the two adjacent lots to the west and there having a “small one-story house, an office, and cabins for slaves.”
A c. 1905 postcard listed the house as belonging to Robert Yarborough. The "Col." refers to his being a “colored” person.
No surviving records show anyone living on or renting the property until the 1923 Sanborn map which depicts a garage on the corner of Margaret Lane and Churton Street with the capacity to hold 20 cars, but it has no heat, lights or electricity. Who the owners were or how it was used is currently unknown.
Lot 7 in the Sanborn maps
(L.) 1923; (R.) 1943
Esso Station
1854
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Architectural historian Susan McArtor Bellinger dated the building that currently sits on the corner of Churton Street and Margaret Lane to 1932. The structure appears as an Esso station in the H. Lee Waters film depicting Hillsborough in 1937, and the design of the building is identical to the Blowe’s Esso station in Raleigh that was constructed around the same time.
A 1941 photograph of Blowe’s Esso on Person Street in Raleigh.
The original owner of the Esso station is currently unknown. During World War II, it was managed by Banks Terrell of Burlington. Sometime after the war, it was owned and operated by Matthew Strum until he purchased Cates Esso in 1968 (see Lot 99). According to his obituary, Strum operated an Esso/Exxon station for 45 years.
Matthew “Mack” Strum (1922-2006), was born and raised in Hillsborough, graduating from Hillsboro High School in 1941. During World War II, he served in the US Navy. He returned home in 1945 and married Valerie James of Hurdle Mills. His profession at that time was listed as “photographer.” Strum was a long-time member of Hillsborough Wesleyan Church and was active in the community, serving in the Eagle Masonic Lodge and the Exchange Club. His obituary stated, “'Mack' was well known for his help with cooking at the Lodge fundraisers for Oxford Orphanage and for the Exchange Club at the fish fry, ball games and state fair booths.”
(L.) Matthew Strum in the 1941 Hillsboro High School yearbook.
(C.L.) Valerie and Matthew Strum’s wedding announcement.
(C.R.) An August 30, 1955 advertisement for Strum’s Esso in the Durham Sun.
(R.) A June 13, 1963 advertisement for Strum’s Esso in the News of Orange.
Richmond Motor Company
1932-1953
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The 1943 Sanborn map depicted another filling station on Lot 7 adjacent to a car dealership. The filling station sold Texaco gas. The dealership was Richmond Motor Company. It old Fords and was owned by Mr. and Mrs. J.W Richmond. Over their thirty-year tenure, Richmond Motor Company and the Richmond family were extremely active in the community. Among their many civic activities, they had a baseball team, hosted flower shows for the Hillsboro Garden Club, and sponsored floats in the Christmas parade.
(L) A still from the 1937 H. Lee Waters film that shows Richmond Motor Company and the Esso station.
(R) A 1956 photograph of Lot 7 by Giduz from the NC State Archives.
Both images are courtesy of openorange.org.
(L.) A February 15, 1951 advertisement for Richmond Motor Company in the News of Orange.
(C.) The results of a baseball game between Richmond Motor Company and a team from White Cross that appeared in the Durham Sun on May 22, 1933.
(R.) A November 30, 1950 advertisement in the News of Orange.
Ray Motor Company
1953-1967
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In 1953, partners A. Bart O’Neal, Calvin Ray, and Juanita C. O’Neal founded Ray-O’Neal Motors and purchased the Ford franchise. The O’Neals had been living in Wake Forest and moved to Hillsborough specifically for this opportunity. However, the partnership was short-lived. By 1956, the name of the company had been changed to Ray Ford Motor Co. and soon thereafter it was shortened to Ray Motor Co.
It was a family business with many of the Rays working in various positions over the years. In 1967, the family moved the dealership to a new location on S. Churton near Interstate 85. Ray Motor In business until 2012 became Capital Ford of Hillsborough.
From The News of Orange County:
(L.) A July 9, 1953 article announcing the formation of Ray-O’Neal Motors.
(C.) A March 3, 1954 advertisement.
(R.) A December 21, 1961 advertisement.
US Post Office
1958-1968
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Property owner Fred Cates constructed a building specifically to be used as a post office and secured a 10-year lease with the US government to rent the space. An August 7, 1958 article in the News of Orange described the structure as “modern” with 2,400 square feet of floor space and air conditioning. Maude Brown was the local Postmaster at the time.
The dedication ceremony for the new post office was held on August 9. Regional delivery services officer James E. Greene was the principal speaker. He hailed the new facility as “an achievement emblematic of local progress.”
Images from the post office dedication in The News of Orange County, August 14, 1958.
Major Business Forms
1967-1975
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After their move, the Rays rented the dealership building to Major Business Forms, an independent forms and label manufacturer. As the company grew, it moved to a location on RT. 86 and changed its name to Major Business Systems.
Now closed, Their website stated, “Since 1967, Major Business Systems has grown to the largest independent forms manufacturer in North Carolina, serving distributors from Maine to Florida. We produce forms, pressure-sensitive labels, integrated products, pads, cut sheets and laser checks, and offer barcoding, variable imaging. We also offer warehousing, consulting, and design services.”
Orange County Rescue Squad
1968
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The Orange County Rescue Squad was formed in June 1968. Chandler Cates was instrumental in its founding. Around that time, Cates had been shot by a disgruntled patron and nearly died because there were no emergency services in town.
Once chartered, the rescue squad secured the Strum’s Esso building as its first base station. The rescue squad began with 31 volunteers who were trained in Red Cross Basic First Aid. It utilized a fleet of donated vehicles. These vehicles included a laundry truck (which served as a rescue truck), a donated 1955 Cadillac donated by Butner Rescue Squad (affectionately known as Maude and used as an ambulance), and a 14ft boat. In 1980, John Jeffries and WC Dawkins were hired, becoming the earliest known paid EMS employees in Orange County were.
The Orange County Rescue Squad c. 1969
Orange County Rural Fire Department
1976-
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After expanding to provide fire coverage for all of Orange County, the fire department needed more space. In 1976, the town of Hillsborough bought the building Ray Motors building and Orange Rural Fire bought the adjacent lot. The town then removed the existing building and constructed a new one, designed specifically to meet the fire department’s needs. The architect for the project was Archie Davis.
The Orange Rural Fire Department in their new station c. 1977.
The Orange Rural Fire Department - from left to right : Pam Robinette, Sean Brooks, Jackson Madden, and Zoe Tuckman
Do you know the dates that this snack bar was in business or any information about the owners? If so, please contact us: