Triangle Modernist Houses

Compiled by George Smart, Jr.                                                          

George Harrell was born in Norfolk but grew up in Rocky Mount NC. After receiving his bachelor's degree in architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1930 and his master's of architecture in 1931 from the University of Pennsylvania, he served in the Navy reserve.  After WWII, he had a private practice in Dallas until 1950 when he became a partner in Gill and Harrell. In 1956 the more prestigious Harrell and Hamilton firm was formed with E. G. Hamilton and Harrell began to design many well-known buildings, particularly banks. Harrell's designs include the U.S. Steel Building at the 1939 New York World's Fair, the Ouachita National Bank and Parking Structure in Monroe, Louisiana (1958), the Republic National Bank complex in Dallas (1960), and the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas (1969). Harrell was president of the Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Texas Society of Architects.  His firm is now called Omniplan.

1952 - The Jesse Dowdy Residence.  1720 Co-Ah-Bar Street, the finest surviving example of modernist architecture in Rocky Mount NC.  This address exists only for mailing purposes.  The real entrance is around the corner at 1800 Hammond.  The current owner is Cash Hagerty.  For sale, $365,000, here.