2422 West Club Boulevard
When state Senator Sumter C. Brawley moved into his new home, it was the first house at the western end of the street.
Club Boulevard, or “E Street,” as it was then known, was just a dirt track at the terminus of the streetcar line.
There was no reservoir or waterworks, and there were no trees, but there was a golf course, and the clubhouse was going up next door.
The Brawley house is a very large example of the fashionable Colonial Revival style. The exterior is simple and the interior is divided into large rooms opening onto a large central hallway.
Once the wide front porch extended across the whole length of the front of the house; however, in recent years, the end portions were enclosed when the house was converted into a sort of boarding house.
In addition to being an attorney and politician, Senator Brawley was an unofficial spokesman for the neighborhood. He frequently appeared before the City Council to protest increases in streetcar fares or cuts in service.
Mrs. Brawley was very interested in the appearance of Durham and fought successfully to have street trees planted along West Club Boulevard and elsewhere.
Written by Tom Miller.