Local

Historic photos show Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Raleigh and Durham during the 1960’s

By Scott Sharpe
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen here speaking at a press conference held at Shaw University in Raleigh, in April of 1960. The media were reporting on a three day meeting sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Committee on Racial Equality. When King was asked the purpose of the meeting he responded, “plan strategy for victory.†The meeting at Shaw University was organized by civil rights leader Ella Baker and consisted of panel discussions and workshops with King and other ministers advising students and answering questions. During these discussions, King emphasized the “need for some type of continuing organization†to continue the anti-segregation cause. Out of these meetings at Shaw, and through the words of King and Baker, the Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was born. King urged nonviolence above all with strategies that included sit-ins and selective buying. He went on to tell the students, “they will certainly want to delve deeper into the philosophy of nonviolence. It must be made palpably clear that resistance and nonviolence are not in themselves good. There must be another element present, reconciliation—an avoidance of the internal violence of the spirit. You leave the possibility open for reconciliation… it is not to defeat an opponent, but to bring him together as brothers.â€
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is seen here speaking at a press conference held at Shaw University in Raleigh, in April of 1960. The media were reporting on a three day meeting sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Committee on Racial Equality. When King was asked the purpose of the meeting he responded, “plan strategy for victory.†The meeting at Shaw University was organized by civil rights leader Ella Baker and consisted of panel discussions and workshops with King and other ministers advising students and answering questions. During these discussions, King emphasized the “need for some type of continuing organization†to continue the anti-segregation cause. Out of these meetings at Shaw, and through the words of King and Baker, the Students Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was born. King urged nonviolence above all with strategies that included sit-ins and selective buying. He went on to tell the students, “they will certainly want to delve deeper into the philosophy of nonviolence. It must be made palpably clear that resistance and nonviolence are not in themselves good. There must be another element present, reconciliation—an avoidance of the internal violence of the spirit. You leave the possibility open for reconciliation… it is not to defeat an opponent, but to bring him together as brothers.†News & Observer file photo

North Carolina continues to grow with no signs of slowing down.

With all the change, especially in the Triangle, it’s sometimes nice to look back and remember the way it was — when towns celebrated the sweet potato harvest with a parade and actress Ava Gardner took a selfie before the term was even coined.

We took a deep dive in The News & Observer’s archives to find some of these hidden gems that show Raleigh, Durham and other parts of the state from another era.

We’ll periodically look back in The News & Observer’s collection to showcase former photographers’ work and memories of some special times.

A special thank you goes to the staff at the State Archives of N.C. who administers The N&O’s negative and print collection.

2/16/60 After Martin Luther King Jr. visited the segregated lunch counter at Woolworth’s department store in downtown Durham on Feb. 16, 1960, Moore covered the civil rights leader’s speech that night at the old White Rock Baptist Church on Fayetteville Street. “He wasn’t drawing media attention that much then,” Moore said. “As far as I recall, I was the only photographer there.”
2/16/60 After Martin Luther King Jr. visited the segregated lunch counter at Woolworth’s department store in downtown Durham on Feb. 16, 1960, Moore covered the civil rights leader’s speech that night at the old White Rock Baptist Church on Fayetteville Street. “He wasn’t drawing media attention that much then,” Moore said. “As far as I recall, I was the only photographer there.” Harold Moore Herald-Sun file photo
In one of his earlier visits to Durham, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., addresses the student body at Hillside High School, in this file photo from October 15, 1956.
In one of his earlier visits to Durham, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., addresses the student body at Hillside High School, in this file photo from October 15, 1956. Jim Sparks Herald-Sun file photo
(File Photo)Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks to the Southern Political Science Association, meeting at the old Jack Tar Hotel in downtown Durham on November 13, 1964,
(File Photo)Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks to the Southern Political Science Association, meeting at the old Jack Tar Hotel in downtown Durham on November 13, 1964, Harold Moore The Herald-Sun
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (facing camera, second from left) walks along West Main Street towards Woolworth in Durham on February 2, 1960 following sit-ins. King was joined by other local and national civil rights leaders.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (facing camera, second from left) walks along West Main Street towards Woolworth in Durham on February 2, 1960 following sit-ins. King was joined by other local and national civil rights leaders. Jim Thornton Herald-Sun file photo
Rev, Douglas Moore, pastor of the Asbury Temple Methodist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy and NCCU student Lacy Streeter walk along West Main Street on their way to the Woolworth Lunch Counter in this fie photo of February 16,1960.
Rev, Douglas Moore, pastor of the Asbury Temple Methodist Church, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy and NCCU student Lacy Streeter walk along West Main Street on their way to the Woolworth Lunch Counter in this fie photo of February 16,1960. Jim Thornton Herald-Sun file photo
Civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy speaks with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and local civil rights leaders as they visit Woolworths in downtown Durham February 16 1960.
Civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy speaks with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and local civil rights leaders as they visit Woolworths in downtown Durham February 16 1960. Jim Thornton THE HERALD-SUN
Employees at the K-Mart in Raleigh, N.C. watch the moon landing in the store, July 20, 1969.
Employees at the K-Mart in Raleigh, N.C. watch the moon landing in the store, July 20, 1969. News & Observer
Latrek Morse with the stylish glasses and Anthony Rowes, right, both from Goldsboro, cheer as the big acorn is dropped at the Civic Center Plaza to ring in the new year, January 1, 2000.
Latrek Morse with the stylish glasses and Anthony Rowes, right, both from Goldsboro, cheer as the big acorn is dropped at the Civic Center Plaza to ring in the new year, January 1, 2000. Chris Seward File photo
David Benson and the giant Raleigh acorn parked beside his house near Five Points in 1997.
David Benson and the giant Raleigh acorn parked beside his house near Five Points in 1997. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
UNC’s Lennie Rosenbluth shoots over Wake Forest during action in the 1957 ACC Tournament in a smoky Reynolds Coliseum.
UNC’s Lennie Rosenbluth shoots over Wake Forest during action in the 1957 ACC Tournament in a smoky Reynolds Coliseum. 1957 News & Observer file photo
A scene at the bustling northwest corner of of Fayetteville and Martin Streets, February 24, 1962. ________________
A scene at the bustling northwest corner of of Fayetteville and Martin Streets, February 24, 1962. ________________ News & Observer file photo
Broadcasting pioneer J.D. Lewis photographed with his family in 1960. Lewis was the first Black radio announcer in North Carolina and, in 1960, started hosting a Saturday television show on WRAL featuring Black teenagers dancing to contemporary music. Lewis and his family were selected as the News & Observer’s 1960 Family of the Year.
Broadcasting pioneer J.D. Lewis photographed with his family in 1960. Lewis was the first Black radio announcer in North Carolina and, in 1960, started hosting a Saturday television show on WRAL featuring Black teenagers dancing to contemporary music. Lewis and his family were selected as the News & Observer’s 1960 Family of the Year. News & Observer file photo
A majorette leads The “Tater Day” parade at Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947. The areas celebrated its annual sweet potato harvest each year.
A majorette leads The “Tater Day” parade at Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947. The areas celebrated its annual sweet potato harvest each year. News & Observer file photo
The sweet potato market in Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947.
The sweet potato market in Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947. News & Observer file photo
“Tater” Day at Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947.
“Tater” Day at Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947. News & Observer file photo
The Sweet Potato Queen bites into one of the yams for a photographer at “Tater Day” in Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947.
The Sweet Potato Queen bites into one of the yams for a photographer at “Tater Day” in Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947. News & Observer file photo
“Tater” Day at Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947.
“Tater” Day at Tabor City, NC. October 31, 1947. News & Observer file photo
Actress Ava Gardner takes a selfie with News and Observer photographer Lawrence Wofford’s camera on a visit to Raleigh, June 1947.
Actress Ava Gardner takes a selfie with News and Observer photographer Lawrence Wofford’s camera on a visit to Raleigh, June 1947. News & Observer file photo
The Durham Christmas Parade makes its way down rain-slicked streets in the 1950’s.
The Durham Christmas Parade makes its way down rain-slicked streets in the 1950’s. Charles Cooper Herald-Sun photo
Workers install Christmas decorations on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, NC November 16, 1961.
Workers install Christmas decorations on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, NC November 16, 1961. News & Observer file photo
A view of holiday decorations along Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh in 1968.
A view of holiday decorations along Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh in 1968. News & Observer file photo
Christmas decorations along Raleigh, N.C.’s Fayetteville Street in December 1968.
Christmas decorations along Raleigh, N.C.’s Fayetteville Street in December 1968. News & Observer file photo
A News & Observer and Raleigh Times photographer is seen with his Leica rangefinder camera in the rear parking lot of the old offices at 215 S. McDowell Street in Downtown Raleigh in 1961.
A News & Observer and Raleigh Times photographer is seen with his Leica rangefinder camera in the rear parking lot of the old offices at 215 S. McDowell Street in Downtown Raleigh in 1961.

This story was originally published December 19, 2023 at 7:30 AM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER