GEORGE FRANKLIN HACKNEY (1905-1997)

Hackney was born in Siler City NC and graduated in Architectural Engineering from NC State University in 1927.  He came to Durham as part of the architecture and engineering staff working on Duke's West Campus.  Upon completion at Duke, he started a firm focused on high end residences via his connections to prominent Durham families as the Dukes, Biddles, Teers, and Kenans.  The firm grew and Hackney offered partnership to former intern Charles Knott.  During WWII, Hackney taught structural engineering at Duke and designed Duke's Rose Bowl float the year it was played in Durham during WWII. 

Hackney and Knott's firm continues as Sears, Hackney, Keener & Williams.  Company president Bill Sears joined the company as a student in 1961.

CHARLES FRANKLIN KNOTT, AIA (1912-1982)

Charles Franklin Knott was born in Durham.  He went to NCSU to study architectural engineering but did not graduate.  Instead he earned his license through apprenticeship with George Hackney.  Knott started with Hackney in 1932, a team that would last 50 years until Knott's death in 1982. Their commercial projects as Hackney and Knott included much of Campbell College (now Campbell University) and the main Durham County Library.

1952 - The Alex and Polly Davis Residence, 808 Kings Mill Road, Chapel Hill.  Nine acres.  Sold in 1954 to James C. and Nina G. Wallace who still own it as of 2011.  Construction by Van Thomas of Siler City, who built most of their houses.  Two additions:  1963 by Hackney and Knott.  The second was designed in 1972 by Bill Stewart.  The garage was converted to two bedrooms at some point.  Photos by Leilani Carter.  

Traditional Houses

1930 - 1106 Englewood, Durham. Owned by M. Sid and Jo Ruth Stallings. Sold to Kyle and Christina Chenet in 2002. Sold in 2006 to Alan and Erika Stone.

1934 - 1017 Demerius Street, Durham.  Previously owned by Robert McDuffie.  Sold in 2009 to Martin Steinmeyer and Janice McCarthy.

1936 - The George F. Hackney House, his own at 1012 West Knox Street, Durham. Sold in 1996 to Damian and Mary Craig.

1936 - Next door, 1014 West Knox Street, Durham.  Sold in 2006 to Kenneth and Christina Herold.  Sold in 2009 to James and Christine Edmondson.

1938 - The Friedman House, 1006 West Trinity, Durham. 
Sold in 2006 to David and Sarah Nevill. Sold in July 2010 to the GRSW Stewart Real Estate Trust. Sold in October 2010 to Carol Dianne Martin.

1941 - The Albert E. and Ruth Wackerman House, 3610 Dover Road, Durham.  Sold in 1967 to Clark and Karen Havighurst, who did several renovations and expansions.  Sold in 2006 to Diane Johnson and James Reynolds.  Sold in 2010 to Sarah and William Nicholson. Photo by Tad DeBerry.

1951 - 2201 Pershing Street, Durham. Built by Wade Cavin.  Sold to second owner Stephen Hiltner.  Sold in 2006 to Theodore Outwater. 

Other Houses Include:

The George Allen House, Warrenton NC.  He was head of the Duke Endowment.  Built for his sisters.

The Raymond C. Firestone House, Youngs Road area, Southern Pines.  Firestone built a second house in 1968 at 172 Old Mail Road, designed by architect Mott B. Schmidt.

The Cameron House, Hope Valley area of Durham.

The Barringer House, Dover and Avon, Durham.  Destroyed.  Photo by Tad DeBerry.

The President's House, Campbell University.

Hackney and Knott Project List, Houses:  First two digits are the year a project was commissioned.

Sources include:  Jim Wallace, Bill Sears. Charles Franklin (Frank) Knott, Jr.,
George Franklin (Frank) Hackney, Jr.