W. T. Blackwell and Company facts for kids
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Bull Durham Tobacco Factory
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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W.T. Blackwell & Co. Tobacco Factory, circa 1895
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 201 W. Pettigrew St., Durham, North Carolina |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1873 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Part of | American Tobacco Company Manufacturing Plant (ID00001163) |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001346 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 10, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | December 22, 1977 |
| Designated CP | September 29, 2000 |
The W.T. Blackwell & Co. Tobacco factory was a very important place in Durham, North Carolina. It was famous for making a product called Bull Durham Tobacco. This was the first tobacco brand sold all across the United States! The factory building was built in 1874. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1977. Today, the old factory building is used as apartments.
History of Bull Durham Tobacco
During the American Civil War, soldiers in Durham found that some local tobacco was really good. After the war, many former soldiers wanted to buy this tobacco. A man named John Ruffin Green started making it. He also created the famous Bull Durham logo.
In 1868, Green teamed up with William T. Blackwell. After Green passed away, Blackwell worked with Julian S. Carr. They continued to make and sell the Bull Durham brand. The company grew very quickly. This was partly because they had one of the first national advertising campaigns. The Bull Durham logo became famous everywhere. The Bull Durham brand was sold until 1988.
The Blackwell Factory Building
The Blackwell factory is located in Durham. It is at the corner of West Pettigrew and Blackwell Streets. The building was constructed in different parts between 1874 and 1903. It is a four-story building made of brick. It has a style called "commercial Italianate."
The factory has a central open area inside. It was once known as the world's largest tobacco factory. It was about 94,000 square feet (8,733 square meters) in size. Bull Durham tobacco was made here until 1957. After that, the making of the product moved to a factory in Richmond, Virginia.
Images for kids
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A Bull Durham sign in Oakland, Oregon
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An advertisement for W. T. Blackwell from 1881
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