Dillard-Gamble Houses
Why it's listed
Two houses share a large lot on North Mangum Street in Durham. The first, built in 1917 for Richard E. Dillard, is a two-story Colonial Revival house designed by the Washington firm of Milburn and Heister. Its convex Doric portico and deep eaves made it a landmark for travelers entering the city. Divided into six apartments in the 1950s, it was later damaged by fire and vandalism, and the owner was restoring it at the time of the nomination. Around 1934 the Dillards gave part of the property to their daughter and her husband, Howard Gamble. Their house, completed in 1935 and designed by the Asheville firm of Greene & Rogers, uses flat roofs, corner windows and stucco-covered tile walls. It is considered possibly the earliest full International Style house in North Carolina. Though under fifty years old, its early date justified listing. The houses are valued for their architecture and their ties to Durham's business growth.
Significance in brief: The Dillard House is one of Durham's more lavish surviving Colonial Revival houses from its early 20th century boom and long served as a landmark for travelers entering the city. The Gamble House may be the earliest full-blown International Style house in North Carolina, and the contrast between the two shows a major change in taste within 20 years. They are linked by family history and the landscaping between them.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79003333, listed January 19, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1311 and 1307 N. Mangum St., Durham |
|---|---|
| County | Durham County |
| Listed | January 19, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003333 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1917 (Dillard House) and 1935 (Gamble House) |
| Architect / builder | Milburn and Heister (Dillard House; built with the B. L. Duke Land Improvement Co.); Greene & Rogers / Ronald Greene, Ltd. (Gamble House) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival (Dillard House); International Style (Gamble House) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Dillard House is deteriorated and altered, damaged by a 1975 fire and vandalism, and is being restored by its owner. Gamble House has been altered but retains its integrity. |
| Acreage | 1.1 |
| Within district | North Durham-Duke Park District |
| Coordinates | 36.00908, -78.89375 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79003333.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19461339
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.