Douglas Block Stories: Honoring Earl Carnegie “Doc” Burnette (1907-1976)

One of the important pieces of the puzzle from the 'Revitalization Rocky Mount Puzzle Box' is the historic Douglas Block named for Dr. Junious Douglas, an African-American pharmacist. The Douglas Block was home to shops, restaurants, entertainment centers, and medical services owned and operated by African-Americans. Today it is home to people who believe in the revitalization … Continue reading Douglas Block Stories: Honoring Earl Carnegie “Doc” Burnette (1907-1976) →

Main Street Rocky Mount Blog Honored – Sharing My Good News

By LINDELL JOHN KAY Staff Writer Monday, March 27, 2017 A local blogger has received state recognition for writing about downtown Rocky Mount. Stepheny Houghtlin was named a Main Street Champion, which are individuals who have gone the extra mile in working to make their downtown successful, announced N.C. Commerce Secretary Anthony Copland. Houghtlin has a … Continue reading Main Street Rocky Mount Blog Honored – Sharing My Good News →

Romancing the Brick – Osman Bennett Barnes – Part 3

I admit that the 1984 action-adventure, romantic-comedy entitled, Romancing the Stone, sounds better than the title for this post, Romancing the Brick, but I couldn't help myself. I have had a long-standing romance with architecture that includes lots and lots of brick. I grew up in the beautiful Colonial Revival style brick home pictured here. It sits … Continue reading Romancing the Brick – Osman Bennett Barnes – Part 3 →

Who Was Osmon Bennett Barnes? – Part 2

“History is the essence of innumerable biographies.” Thomas Carlyle Osman Barnes's granddaughter, Melissa Barker, took me to Pineview Cemetery to spend time with members of her family that are buried there. It is a deeply moving experience, where generations of families are gathered across time, yet able to tell a story of Rocky Mount and … Continue reading Who Was Osmon Bennett Barnes? – Part 2 →

Who Built The Wall at Wesleyan College and so much more? – Osmon ‘Os’ Bennett Barnes

"Every man is called to give love to the work of his hands. Every man is called to be an artist." Wendell Berry I grew up without a grandfather. My maternal grandfather died when my mother was a young child and my paternal grandfather lived somewhere on the edges of my life hiding … Continue reading Who Built The Wall at Wesleyan College and so much more? – Osmon ‘Os’ Bennett Barnes →

Who Is Elijah Gaddis? – Setting The Stage – Part 1

As part of some research I'm doing for a new novel, I am in love again! or should I say, as usual. This time it is a man named Chris Rose who once worked for the Times Picayune in New Orleans. He wrote a series of columns in 2005-06 recounting the aftermath of Katrina, and … Continue reading Who Is Elijah Gaddis? – Setting The Stage – Part 1 →