strolling and exploring downtown durham

We went to an art walk/gallery hop this weekend and I think I enjoyed photographing the amazing architecture and street art as much as I did seeing the "official" art that was on display. Historic downtown Durham is filled with the remnants of old tobacco campuses and other great old structures and community leaders have thought it important to save their historical treasures rather than tear them down. The result is a thriving, creative, innovative community. 

We walked all over downtown that afternoon and came upon wonderful old murals such as these two: 

and at one point we rounded a corner and found this new wall mural. It reads: "True Community is based upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together." What a wonderful message for every community! 

We walked up close and I was awed by the number of colors and swirling patterns that make up this gentleman's face. Enlarge the photo below to see it for yourself!  

Towards the end of our day we walked along the tracks after a train blew by and got to see the backs of some of the old buildings, not visible streetside. I think that the old painted store signs are equally wonderful and I'm glad that some still survive. Although you can see that the building has been re-muddled at some point in it's life, there still is a lot of character. 

And look at the signage on this old grocery! On the ground floor, again somewhat re-muddled, you can still see the wide open entranceway for the horse & wagon to come through to deliver goods. I don't know what Lemon Kola was, but at 5 cents I bet it was a cool, tasty treat on a steamy southern summer day!