Douglas Block Project
The Douglas Block’s legacy began with Dr. Junius D. Douglas, Rocky Mount’s first Black pharmacist. Around 1915, construction began on the Douglas Building on North East Main Street, which became home to Douglas’ pharmacy. Today, this historic structure anchors the Douglas Block, a preserved district rich with Black entrepreneurial history.During its heyday, the Douglas Block was a thriving hub of Black business and culture, nestled between bustling tobacco warehouses. The district was home to a variety of enterprises, including shoe shops, cigar stores, blacksmiths, bakeries, taxi stands, a funeral home, and grocery stores. Other historic buildings that remain include the Holy Hope Heritage Church on Ivy Street, the Manhattan Theater on Thomas Street, and the Burnett Building at the corner of Thomas Street and Albemarle Avenue.The Douglas Block was also a cultural hotspot, hosting the legendary June German dances, which brought in renowned African American musicians from the Chitlin’ Circuit. The streets were so packed with activity that cars could barely pass through. Evidence even suggests that a Black-owned silk mill once operated just north of the district, possibly one of the few such enterprises in the early 1900s.During segregation, when Black residents were barred from shopping on Main Street or crossing into Nash County, they built their own prosperous community. The Douglas Block stood as a testament to Black resilience, self-sufficiency, and economic success, shaping the cultural and business landscape of Rocky Mount.
Douglas Building
Dr. Junius Daniel Douglas established the Douglas-Armstrong Drug Company in the Douglas Building, a prominent structure located at the corner of NE Main Street and E Thomas Street, just three blocks west.As the anchor building of what became known as the Douglas Block, Dr. Douglas’ establishment served as a catalyst for the district’s growth during segregation, fostering a thriving hub for Black-owned businesses. In recognition of his lasting impact, the Douglas Block was named in his honor.
Manhattan Theater
The Ritz Theatre, (Now the Manhattan Theatre) an African American theater, opened in 1950 and was operated by the Bijou Amusement Co. It had a seating capacity of 299 and was located just a few doors down from the Booker-T Theatre.
Booker T Theatre
The Booker T. Theatre originally opened as The Savoy Theatre in 1929. By 1936, it had been renamed the Booker T. Theatre. In 1950, the theater was sold to the Bijou Amusement Circuit of Nashville, which owned 20 theaters across multiple states.After extensive restoration, the Booker T. Theatre reopened in 2011. The venue features a banquet seating capacity of 110 guests and a theater-style seating capacity of 235, including balcony seating. Today, it hosts a variety of events, including weddings, receptions, anniversary celebrations for couples and churches, as well as training sessions for the Rocky Mount Fire Department (RMFD), Rocky Mount Police Department (RMPD), and other local organizations.
Burnette Building
The Burnett Building was established by Dr. B.J. Burnett, a pharmacist who operated his drugstore on the ground floor of the two-story structure. The second floor became a hub for Black professionals, housing independent businesses such as the medical practice of Dr. Burnett’s brother, physician Dr. Peter W. Burnett, as well as offices for Champ F. Rich, Rocky Mount’s first African American lawyer, Dr. George Bulluck, and dentist Dr. James Pittman, among others over the decades.Today, the Burnett Building is home to Lawrence Best & Associates law office on the main level, while the second floor has been reconfigured into residential apartments. Though the layout has changed, the building preserves its history—original doors from former office spaces remain as dummy doors, offering a glimpse into its storied past.
Holy Hope Church
Holy Hope Episcopal Church, originally named St. Jude’s Church, was built in the Gothic Revival style in the 1910s and is located at 200 Ivy Street. Initially constructed for a white congregation in Spring Hope, Nash County, it later became a mission to Black residents in Rocky Mount with the approval of the Trustees of the Diocese, under the leadership of Rev. Owens. According to local funeral home director C.C. Stokes, who once owned the building, the church was originally erected to serve the Holy Hope Episcopal congregation in Spring Hope and was relocated to its current Rocky Mount site in the 1930s. Several African American families in Rocky Mount established the church as Holy Hope Episcopal Church, making it the city’s first African American Episcopal congregation.
