“A Worthy Place”: Durham, Duke, and the World of the 1920s-1930s

As part of their project to reimagine the city’s place in the wider world, Durham political and business leaders worked to connect the city to transportation networks. Though railways remained crucial in the 1920s, highways took on new importance when North Carolina passed a $50 million bond issue in 1921 to build and maintain some 6,000 miles of state highways. The number of motor vehicles registered in North Carolina jumped from 140,860 in 1920 to 483,602 in 1929. Maps and postcards expressed local pride, promoted commerce, and encouraged tourism. Mobility for some came at a high cost to others: North Carolina highways were built by convict labor, often African American, in the 1920s and after. 

1924 North Carolina Passenger Vehicle License Plate. Private collection.