Researching property history

Case

K wanted to know the story behind an address in Raleigh, North Carolina. The building had clearly served as a storefront at some point, and a pipe was located underneath it, prompting theories about early refrigeration or waste disposal. They wanted to understand the history of the property: who had lived or worked there, what it had been used for, and how it evolved over time.

Findings

• Built a detailed timeline from 1922 to present, showing that the property housed a series of small grocery stores, each run by different families

• Traced the residency and business records of over ten individuals connected to the property, including grocers, carpenters, military veterans, and restaurateurs

• Confirmed the building was converted into a private residence in the late 1980s by a couple who restored it and earned a historic preservation award

• Found that it’s now home to a dog training facility

• Verified and corrected historical inaccuracies in a local Historic Property Survey using primary-source newspaper records and census data

Outcome

K received a comprehensive, visually organized research file including:

• A full property history timeline

• Photos, clippings, and census details for each owner or business

• Notes on architectural changes, restoration efforts, and zoning changes

• Speculative but grounded analysis of the 36" pipe theory