This is one of a row of four houses “spec built” by local contractor Wheatley & Co. The firm took out all four permits on the same day, April 22, 1955, to construct 1800, 1804, 1808, and 1812 Van Buren Avenue.
When the house first appeared in the city directories, in 1957, the occupant was Mrs. Virginia W. Stepteau. She worked as a cashier with the North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company, one of the nation’s largest black-owned businesses.
This may be one of four houses “spec built” by local contractor Wheatley & Co. The firm took out all four permits on the same day, April 22, 1955, to construct 1800, 1804, 1808, and 1812 Van Buren Avenue. Three of the houses are somewhat similar: 1800, 1804 and 1808. This dwelling at 1812 seems to have little in common with the others — was the permit actually for the house next door that is now numbered 1816?
When the city directory first listed this address, the occupants were James Harris, a teacher, and his wife Leeada.
Built in 1955, this house first appeared in the city directory in 1956 with occupants James R. Grier and his wife Robbie L. Grier. He worked as a shipping clerk at Huttig Sash & Door and later as a mechanic at Estes Express trucking company. She was a caregiver at the Wesley Nursing Home.