Posted By:
Scot Reader
Ted,
I tracked down a book about Durham from 1895 that I believe has a sketch of the factory in your postcard and an identification of the cross streets. Being the largest factory in Durham as of 1895 (and having been purchased by ATC in 1890), I think it is more likely that the the subject factory is Factory 42. I will post more details on Monday when I get back to my office.
Michael,
I have little to add to Dave Hornish's post about how the manufacturing and distribution process worked. I also agree, however, with his characterization that this as a mere presumption.
One further question that I have been pondering: Is the DISTRICT number listed on the backs of T206 cards (and for that matter other T- cards) a CONGRESSIONAL district number? I believe that Durham now resides in North Carolina's fourth congressional district, which is the district identified on T206 cards from North Carolina. However, congressional district boundaries change after almost every census and I have not yet been able to find data on congressional districts from the early 20th century and match it to Richmond, Durham, etc. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Scot