UnBULLievaBULL bit of Bull City history for y’all.
“The Bulls of Durham” living history book was truly written WITH the Durham community. Last winter we shared the incrediBULL story of Fitzgerald bricks, using a photo of these gems.
We had several Durhamites reach out with questions and, as promised, we dug in to find the answers. And what we found with the help of NCCU Archivist Andre Vann will make you love Durham even more.
These particular types of bricks made by R.B Fitzgerald’s company are called pavers. They were specifically made for sidewalks and walkways. The company that made the mold with this particular design was out of Ohio, but the bricks were made right here in Durham, NC.
And here’s where the story takes a truly “Only in Durham” turn. By chance, the name for the paver mold design featuring the now-iconic pattern we now associated with Fitzgerald was “Bullseye.” These pavers were made at least 20 years prior to any recorded mention of Durham as the Bull City. What are the chances!?
Richard Burton Fitzgerald came to Durham in 1869, the year Durham officially became a city. He proceeded to make millions of bricks, Bull City history, Black history and the majority of Durham, literally. The Old Bull Building is made with Fitzgerald bricks, as is much of downtown Durham… and much of historic parts of Raleigh, but we’re all here for the bits of Bull City history.
When you walk on these bricks you’re *literally* standing on Bull City history. Bullseye!
Special thanks to our Community Partner Apt.N Coffee for sponsoring this Bull City History Bit.
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