Hill's Benson (Johnston County, N.C.) City Directory [1960], Part 1

Author: Hill Directory Company.
Publication date: 1960
Publisher: Hill Directory Co.
Number of Pages: 190


USA > North Carolina > Johnston County > Benson > Hill's Benson (Johnston County, N.C.) City Directory [1960] > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12


RI


PBELL CREAMERY


INSURED?


WILLIAM W. "Billy" MASSENGILL


Insurance Agency - Insurance of Every Kind


119 W. MAIN ST.


DIAL 272-1


Complete Banking Service


CHECKING ACCOUNTS


LOANS


IRST CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY


SAVINGS ACCOUNTS


TRUST


Established 1898


We never forget to "Thank You!" 100 W. Main St.


Member F. D. I. C. Telephone 237-1.


J. W. PARRISH


PURE


(BILL 'PARRISH) DISTRIBUTOR - PURE OIL PRODUCTS GASOLINE - FUEL OIL KEROSENE - TIRES - TUBES BATTERIES and ACCESSORIES


8 U. S. Hwy. 301 S. Dial 584-1


PURE COM


Banner Motor Co., Inc. AUTHORIZED


Sales


CHEVROLET


Service


24 HOUR WRECKER SERVICE NIGHT TELEPHONE 694-1


401 S. Wall St.


Telephone 202-1


CITY CLEANERS IS YOUR CLOTHES


Finest Quality Cleaning


NID


Insured Fur Storage


105 S. ELM ST.


SHIRTS LAUNDERED


DIAL 215-1


B&. Contrib


JOHNSON TIRE & RECAPPING CO. RE-CAPPING - USED TIRES NEW TIRES - GAS - OIL Smileago ! starts here 15 N. C. HWY. 50 EAST DIAL 400-1


MWZOOZ MO-JA -26


AND


A


CAM


The Library of the University of North Carolina


RS


AINA . WATTIOS


LVX


LIBERTAS


CAROL . SEPTE


Collection of Porth Caroliniana


This book was presented aq Greensboro Chamber of Commerce C971.51 B47h


b Dairy


A


ILK


1960


AND DISTRIBUTORS OF BALLENTINE'S DAIRY PRODUCTS


DAIRY Products,


ROUTE NO. 1


DIAL 5162


HILL DIRECTORY CO.'S


B


DIRECTORY SYMBOLS AND DESIGNATIONS


HOUSEHOLDERS SECTION


HOME OWNER


Caldwell Intersects


ALPHABETICAL SECTION


4100Myro Vernon P 4144Andergon Victor P O 4164Nordberg Herbert F 417 Jensen Alf L. 427 Bonneville John S O 429 Schletty Edw H O 4300 Flood Victor C. O 4314Drowz Siegfried W 434 Michalski Cath M Mra O


o contr


Fred W (Rose A) dentist 120 3d av SW h602 2d av SW


Gregory (Dorothy) driver ~ 338 C av NE


Harold jan Court House r Marion Hattie (wid John) r1432 A av NE apt A


4354Baker Lima V Mrs (Boker Roy J Hegman Alvin E O 1404Mlettinen Albert 502 Slater Ralph H @ 510 LaMaurea Rolland


Coleman intersects


Herman (Miriam) sisn Bottling Co r1909 W


Seven-Up


0110Kellett Marvin E @


83D AV N (W Olv) -- From NPP north to French (Riverside)


TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBER


84TH AV N (W QIv)-From NF north to DW&PRy (Norton Pk $134Mostrom Beda Mrs O 315 Drill Geo £ O 3174 Wingness Melvin 3184Nixon Helen M $19 Salmonson 3220Barley


This book must not be taken from the Library building.


IN ADDITION to n tory contains mur people of your comn certain symbols and c enable important stal possible space. You your City Directory if : and what they stand


In checking credit a advertising programs, ing prospect lines, a Directory will prove c


KNOW YOUR


BENSON CITY DIRECTORY


"F"-RESIDENT


'S"-HOUSEHOLDER


=


" Henry J (Eliz) sismn ? Mfg 02 45 23d dr SE


Features and Departments of a City Directory


Your new, improved City Directory is the most complete and comprehensive catalog ever published of the inhabit- ants, business concerns and institutions of your city. It is much more than just an alphabetical list of names and addresses.


Your City Directory Contains:


1


An Alphabetical list of names and addresses of every resident, business concern and insti- tution, plus wife's name and if a widow the deceased husband's initial, and the occupa- tions of all. Principal officers or owners and a description of businesses are included as well.


2


A Householders' Directory including a Street and Avenue Guide. This section lists every street and where intersecting streets appear. It lists numerically every location on each street, naming the householder or business at each number and whether the person is a homeowner or renter and if he has a telephone. Similar information is provided on office and public buildings and their occupants.


3


A Classified Business Directory listing every business, classified as to type, and showing names and addresses. It also lists every pro- fession, club, society and association, hospita and cemetery, labar organization, library, park and playground and school.


A "Yellow Section" or Buyers' Guide, where the advertiser may explain in greater detail the services or products he has to offer.


4 5 A Statistical and Historical Story of your city; plus miscellaneous other information.


HILL DIRECTORY CO.'S


HILL'S BENSON


(JOHNSTON COUNTY, N. C.)


CITY DIRECTORY 1960


Containing an Alphabetical Directory of Business Concerns and Pri- vate Citizens, Including the Rural Route Residents, a Directory of Householders, Occupants of Office Buildings and Other Business Places, Including a Complete Street and Avenue Guide, a Numerical Telephone Directory, and Much Information of a Miscellaneous Character; also the


YELLOW PAGES With a Special ADVERTISING SECTION and a Complete CLASSIFIED LIST


FOR CONTENTS SEE INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INDEX


PRICE


P JULICO ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICAN


189


$25.00


DIRECTORY


PUBLISHERS


HILL DIRECTORY CO., Inc., Publishers 2910 W. Clay St., P. O. Box 767, Richmond 6, Va.


Member Association of North American Directory Publishers


Copyright, 1959, by Hill Directory Co., Lnc.


Excerpt from Section 104, Title 17 United States Code Annotated


WILLFUL INFRINGEMENT FOR PROFIT .- Any person who willfully and for profit shall infringe any copy- right secured by this title, or who shall knowingly and willfully aid or abet such infringement, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon convic- tion thereof shall be punished by imprisonment for not exceeding one year or by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, or both, in the discretion of the court.


ASSOCIATION OF


RILIco


NORTH AMERICAN


189


PUBLISHERS DIRECTORY


PUBLISHERS NOTE


The information in this Directory is gathered by an actual canvass and is compiled in a way to insure maximum accuracy.


The publishers cannot and do not guarantee the correctness of all information furnished them nor the complete absence of errors or omissions, hence no responsibility for same can be or is assumed.


The publishers earnestly request the bringing to their attention of any inaccuracy so that it may be corrected in the next edition of the directory.


Hill Directory Co., Inc., Publishers


INTRODUCTION AND


GENERAL INDEX


HILL DIRECTORY CO., Inc., publishers of Southeastern Directories, present to subscribers and the general public, this, the 1960 edition of the Benson City Directory, which also in- cludes the rural route residents.


This is the first Hill Directory of Benson, and is complete- ly standardized according to the policies and practices of the association of North American Directory Publishers.


Confidence in the growth of Benson's industry, population and wealth, and in the advancement of its civic and social ac- tivities, will be maintained as sections of this Directory are consulted, for the Directory is a mirror truly reflecting Ben- son to the world.


The enviable position occupied by Hill's Directories in the estimation of the public, has been established by rendering the best in Directory service. With an unrivaled organization, and having had the courteous and hearty cooperation of the busi- ness and professional men and residents, the publishers feel that the results of their labors will meet with the approval of every user, and that the Benson Directory will fulfill its mis- sion as a source of authentic information pertaining to the com- munity.


Four Major Departments


The four major departments are arranged in the following order: -


I. THE YELLOW PAGES constitute the first major de- partment of the Directory. This embraces a complete list of the names and addresses of the business and professional con- cerns of the city and vicinity, arranged in alphabetical order under appropriate headings-a catalog of all the activities of the city and vicinity. Preceding this catalog, likewise grouped under appropriate headings, are the advertisements and busi- ness cards of firms and individuals desiring to present a more complete list of their products or services than is possible in the catalog itself. The Yellow Pages represent reference ad- vertising at its best, and merit the attention of all buyers and sellers seeking sources of supply or markets for goods. In a progressive community like Benson, the necessity of having this kind of information up-to-date and always immediately available, is obvious. The Directory is the common intermedi- ary between buyer and seller, and plays an important role in the daily activities of the commercial, industrial and profes- sional world.


II. THE ALPHABETICAL LIST OF NAMES of residents and business and professional concerns is the second major de-


16CLOL


viii


INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INDEX


partment, printed on white paper. This is the only record in existence that aims to show the name, marital status, occupa- tion and address of each adult resident of Benson and the auto- mobile owners living on rural routes, and the name, official personnel, nature and address of each firm and corporation in the community.


III. THE DIRECTORY OF HOUSEHOLDERS, INCLUD- ING STREET AND AVENUE GUIDE, is the third major de- partment, printed on green paper. In this section the num- bered streets are arranged in numerical order, followed by the named streets in alphabetical order; the numbers of the resi- dences and business concerns are arranged in numerical order under the name of each street, and the names of the house holders and concerns are placed opposite the numbers. The names of the intersecting streets appear at their respective crossing points on each street. Special features of this section are the designation of tenant-owned homes and the listing of telephone numbers.


IV. THE NUMERICAL TELEPHONE DIRECTORY, on blue paper, is the fourth major department.


Community Publicity


The Directory reflects the achievements and ambitions of the community, depicting in unbiased terms what it has to offer as a place of residence, as a business location, as a man- ufacturing site and as an educational center. To broadcast this information, the publishers have placed copies of this issue of the Directory in Directory Libraries, where they are readily available for free public reference, and serve as perpetual and reliable advertisements of Benson and vicinity.


There are more than 700 of these Directory Libraries, in- stalled and maintained in the chief cities of the U. S. and Can- ada through the courtesy of members of the Association of North American Directory Publishers, under whose supervis- ion the system is operated, and of which Hill Directory Co., Inc. is a member.


The publishers appreciatively acknowledge the recogni- tion by those progressive business and professional men who have demonstrated their confidence in the City Directory as an advertising medium, with assurance that it will bring a com- mensurate return.


HILL DIRECTORY CO., Inc., 'Publishers.


1


1


INDEX TO ADVERTISERS


PAGE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW REFER TO THE YELLOW PAGES


Acme Cleaners ...... back cover, left top lines, 13 and 20 Banner Motor Co Inc front cover, right side lines, 3 and 51


Barefoot Lumber Co Inc back cover, right side lines and 39


Benson Building & Loan Association front cover, right top lines and 10


Benson Drug Co left side lines and 19


Benson Feed Mills Inc


back cover, right side lines, 24 and 41


Benson Review The right side lines and 42


Benson Veneer Co Inc back cover and 50


Benton Card Co Inc back cover and 46


Byrd's Watch Repair left side lines and 35


Campbell Creamery


front cover, right top lines, 17 and 40


City Cleaners


front cover, left and right top lines, 21 and 37


Community Gas Service bottom stencil and 31 D & C Electric Co


back cover, right bottom lines, 16 and 22 Draughon L C Blinds - Awnings right bottom lines and 7


14


Fidelity Finance Co


38


First-Citizens Bank & Trust Co front cover, right side lines, 8 and 47 Godwin Building Supply Co Inc ... left side lines and 12


Hight Paint & Wallpaper Store left side lines, 14 and 44


18


Hill Directory Co Inc


Holland Furniture Co


Holmes & Morris back cover, left top lines, 23 and 30


32


Hood Whitley & Co front stencil


Jernigan Plumbing Co left top lines and 44


Johnson Allen Fertilizer & Oil Co Inc


left side lines and


26


Johnson E A Jewelry Co


Johnson Tire & Recapping Co


front cover, right top lines and 6


Lucas Garage left side lines and 2


Machine & Welding Co left side lines


Machine & Welding Supply Co left side lines


Mangum & Sorrell Inc


backbone, right side lines, 11 and 15 Massengill William W "Billy" Insurance Agency front cover, right top lines and 34 McLamb JE Dairy A McLamb Jesse I Insurance Agency 33 McLamb's Florist. left side lines and 26


35


Elite Fashions


X


INDEX TO ADVERTISERS


Motor Credit Co Inc


38


Neta's back cover, left side lines and 36 32 9


Norris Self Service


Norwood Brick Co


Nu-Home Builders & Supply Co Inc


right bottom lines


Page Electric Co


23


Parker's Upholstery Shop ...... right bottom lines and 49


Parrish J W Pure Oil Distributor


front cover, right side lines, 27 and 43


Parrish Motor Co Inc.


left top lines and 5


Poole's Hardware Store


left side lines and 48


Pope & Mixon Building Supply Inc


right bottom lines


Rose & Co Funeral Home


front lip margin, right top lines, 2 and


28


Rose & Co Furniture Store


back lip margin, right top lines and


29


Ryals Bros & Barnes


left side lines and 33


Strickland Motor Co


left side lines


Tart's Texaco Service


left side lines and 5


W & S Motor Co right bottom lines and


4


Warren Drug Co. left side lines and 19


Wayne Station left side lines and 25


Woodall's Plumbing & Heating


top stencil, left side lines and


45


1


BENSON


BENSON NORTH CAROLINA "Sweet Potato Capitol" (Courtesy Benson Chamber of Commerce)


FORM OF GOVERNMENT-Mayor-Commissioner


Incorporated as a town-1887.


POPULATION-1950 U. S. Census, 2,102; Govt. estimate at present, (1959), 2,500; local estimate at present, (1959), 3,000; white males, 800; females, 937; total colored popula- tion, 309; total number of males in city, 954; females, 1148; American born population, 98 percent; predominating na- tionalities, Lebanon.


AREA-1 square mile.


ALTITUDE-150 feet above sea level.


CLIMATE-Mean annual temperature, 60.8 degrees F .; aver- age annual rainfall, 48.19 inches.


PARKS-3, with total acreage of 51/2, valued at $65,000.


ASSESSED VALUATION-$2,663,566.00, with $1.50 per $100.00 tax rate.


BONDED DEBT-$74,500.00.


FINANCIAL DATA-1 bank, with total deposits of $206,954,- 446.74, on 6-10-59; total resources of $237,702,864.19, on 6-10-59; interbranch clearings of $3,331,195.25, for 6-10-59; 1 building and loan association, with total assets of $97,091.95, on 12-30-58.


POSTAL RECEIPTS-$30,018.80 (1958).


CHURCHES-11 representing 6 denominations.


INDUSTRY-Chief industries of city and surrounding territory, agriculture, textile, lumber, veneer, feeds for livestock and poultry, candy and printing; Manufacturing establish- ments, 7; employing 175 men; 320 women; Principal man- ufactured products, shirts, lumber, veneer, feeds, candies and printing.


TRADE AREA-Retail area has radius of 20 miles and popu- lation of 73,700; Wholesale area has radius of 50 miles.


NEWSPAPERS-1, weekly.


RADIO BROADCASTING STATIONS-2, W. C. K B. and W. M. P. M.


HOTELS-2, with total of 40 rooms.


RAILROADS-1, Atlantic Coast Line.


BUS LINES-3, Atlantic Greyhound, Carolina Coach and Sea- shore Transportation.


HIGHWAYS-U. S. 301, Federal Interstate 95, State 50, 27 and 242.


AIR LINES-Daily air passenger and air freight service avail- able at Raleigh-Durham airport 35 miles away.


AMUSEMENTS-Largest auditorium in city seats 500 persons, (High School); 1 moving-picture theatre; total seating ca- pacity of 300 persons; 2 golf courses; other amusement features, City Recreation Program in summer.


HOSPITALS-2, with total of 275 beds.


EDUCATION-3 public schools, with 1 junior college; 1 senior high school; 1 junior high school; Number of pupils in pub- lic schools 1,350; Number of teachers in public schools 60.


xii


INTRODUCTION


PUBLIC LIBRARIES-1; total of 5,000 volumes.


CITY STATISTICS-Street mileage, 13.5 miles, with 7.41 miles


paved; 6 miles of sewers, Number of water meters, 900; light meters, 900; Capacity of water works 700,000 gallons, with daily average pumpage of 125,000 gallons; 6 miles of mains; Fire department has 1 station; 2 pieces of motor equipment; Value of fire department real estate and equip- ment, $15,000; Police department has 5 men; 1 station; 1 piece of motor equipment.


Geography and Population


Benson, incorporated in 1887, is located in the southwestern section of Johnston County. It is considered a part of the Coast- al Plain area of eastern North Carolina, although the section in which Benson lies merges with the Piedmont area of the state. Elevation of the town is 150 feet. Raleigh is only 31 road miles away.


The town's population was listed by the 1950 census at 2,102. Population of the community including residential areas adjacent to the town is now estimated at 3,000.


Approximately 89.7 percent of the population is native born white and approximately 10.3 percent is native born negro.


Agriculture and Climate


'Benson lies in the heart of a rich farming area that is es- pecially well suited for the production of tobacco, cotton, corn, hay crops, pasture crops, sweet potatoes and vegetables.


Benson is considered the largest sweet potato market in the world. Increasing interest is being shown in livestock and poul- try production.


The average yearly rainfall is 48.19 inches. The growing season is approximately 220 days. Mean annual temperature is 60.8 degrees, ranging from 42.7 degrees in January to 79.2 degrees in July.


Educational Facilities


Benson has 3 school buildings with enrollment totaling ap- proximately 1,350. 50 full time teachers are employed in Ben- son.


In addition to school libraries, the town has a public library with a full time librarian. There are 5,000 volumes in this library.


Campbell Junior College, a co-educational institute, is lo- cated only 12 miles from Benson. North Carolina State College, Peace Junior College, Saint Mary's College, Meredith Col- lege, Saint Augustine's College, and Shaw University are lo- cated in Raleigh, a distance of only 31 miles. The University of North Carolina, Duke University and Wake Forest College are within easy reach of Benson.


Labor Supply


Figures released by the North Carolina Employment Ser- vice show that this area has an estimated 3,510 labor force available for employment by industry.


Local Aid To New Industry


As a part of its program to encourage the development of new industry in this area, the Benson Chamber of Commerce offers aid in locating suitable sites and in negotiating for the construction of buildings.


xiii


INTRODUCTION


Industrial Opportunities


'Benson affords excellent opportunities for manufacturers of wood products and furniture who seek a location near raw material sources. The area has an abundant supply of hard and soft woods and a labor supply that is skilled in the processing of forest products.


Food processing plants are notably lacking in this area, although production of sweet potatoes, corn, vegetables and other edible products is high and acreage is available for ex- pansion.


Raw materials in the form of cotton seed, corn and other grains are available for high protein livestock feeds. Feed mills located here would have the advantage of proximity to both raw materials and a wide market.


This area uses a large amount of tobacco bed canvas and tobacco twine. Textile manufacturing concerns would find a ready market for these and other cotton products in Eastern North Carolina.


Benson has seven manufacturing firms at this time. The largest is Southland Manufacturing Company, a shirt manufac- turing plant. This plant employs approximately 300 persons. Two lumber manufacturing firms in Benson produce an esti- mated 5,000,000 board feet of lumber annually. The Benson Veneer Company manufactures veneering, and plywood. The Benson Feed Mill produces feeds for livestock and poultry consumption. The Bryant Candy Company manufactures vari- ous types of candies. Their specialty being peanut candies. The Benton Card Company is the foremost printer in the south of window cards, programs and heralds. Their shipments go all over the country.


Town Government


Benson is governed by a Mayor and four Commissioners who are elected biennially. The Mayor's office, the fire Depart- ment are located in a modern two-story municipal building, which has office space, a library and a large Court Room on the second floor.


The town tax rate is $1.50 per $1.00 valuation. The total assessed value of taxable property in Benson is $2,663.566.00. The basis of assessment is approximately 30 percent of esti- mated value. Benson has a bonded indebtedness of approxi- mately $74,500.00.


Fire protection is provided by a modern fire department staffed by 20 volunteer firemen. The department has two trucks, and complete auxiliary equipment. The water pressure is 55 pounds and the insurance rate is NB 8.


Police protection consists of a force of 5 officers. This de- partment is equipped with the most modern equipment avail- able.


Water facilities are excellent. The town's water supply is obtained from deep wells through pumping stations with a to- tal capacity of 650,000 gallons per day. Average consumption is 125,000 gallons daily. Water hardness is classified as CACO3 is 65.8 parts per million.


The town has a modern sewage disposal system. The facil- ities are considered adequate, although plans are being formu- lated to increase the capacity of the present plant.


xiv


INTRODUCTION


Utilities


The town purchases electric power from Carolina Power and Light Company with headquarters in Raleigh. The supply of electric power is virtually unlimited, both for commercial and industrial representative to work closely with communi- ties seeking new industry.


Telephone service is provided by Carolina Telephone and Telegraph Company with headquarters in Tarboro. This com- pany is continually expanding service to meet new needs.


Finance and Trade


Over 100 retail stores and service concerns employing ap- proximately 300 persons provide Benson and the surrounding areas with ample facilities of the purchase of goods and ser- vices.


Benson is served by one commercial bank, a unit of First- Citizens Bank & Trust Company with total resources of more than $237,702,864.19.


The community is served by one of the nation's most pro- gressive weekly newspapers.


Churches and Civic Clubs


Benson is served by 10 Protestant and 1 Catholic Church.


The civic organizations include a Junior Chamber of Com- merce, Lion's Club, Woman's Club, Kiwanis Club, and a Key Club for teenage boys.


Other organizations include: Public Library, Kindergarten, American Legion and Auxiliary, Junior Order, Masonic Order, Eastern Star, Explorer 'Post, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies, Woodmen of the World, Parent-Teacher As- sociation, 'Ministerial Association and a Chamber of Com- merce.


There are a number of social clubs including the Garden Club, Modern Study Club and Teenage Club.


The civic, veterans and social organizations work together very closely in promoting progress through joint and co-oper- ative action on the part of its member organizations.


A community center building is in the planning stages for the use of civic and social organizations and for public meet- ings.


A National Guard unit is located in Benson and a site has already been secured for the erection of an Armory Building. Construction will begin very soon.


Medical Services


Benson is served by two modern hospitals. Johnston Me- morial at Smithfield, the county seat, is 18 miles away. This hospital has 200 beds. Betsy Johnson Hospital at Dunn is 7 miles away. This hospital has 87 beds.


In addition, three medical doctors, two dentists and one optometrist are located in the town.


There are three drug stores operating in Benson.


Transportation


Benson is located on U. S. Highway No. 301, a major artery for the north and south traffic. U. S. Interstate 95, passes through the eastern edge of town. N. C. Highways 27, 50 and 242 also intersect the town.


Adequate railroad, passenger and freight service and Rail- way Express service are provided by the Atlantic Coast Line


XV


INTRODUCTION


Railroad Co. Their main north and south line passes through Benson. Three bus passenger lines serve Benson: the Atlan- tic Greyhound line, the Carolina Coach Company and Seashore Transportation.


The town and county are served by a number of roadway express companies with daily pick up service.


Daily air passenger and air freight services are available at the Raleigh-Durham Airport, 35 miles away.


Recreation and Amusements


Benson has three parks and three theatres. A modern nine hole golf course together with a swimming pool is located in the immediate vicinity. On the last Saturday and Sunday in June an international singing convention is held in Benson. This event attracts thousands who come to hear old time and modern singing. For 3 days in September a unique event is held called "Mule Day." As many as 40,000 visitors have come to witness this entertaining spectacle.


Hotels and Motels


There are two hotels in Benson with 40 rooms available. There are also five motels with 30 rooms.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.