The Hudson Funeral Home was started in Apex in 1919 by Vance and Ora Hudson. In 1928, they opened a second facility behind Crabtree Pharmacy at Angier Avenue and South Driver St. in East Durham. In 1929, they moved into a house at 1800 Angier Avenue, pictured above.
Ed and Ollie Hudson, the second generation to run the business, took over in 1938. In the mid-1950s, they tore down the old funeral home and built a new Colonial Revival structure.
Postcard of the 1950s building
In the 1960s, they added a modern chapel to the east.
In 1986, the business, under the ownership of the third generation to run it, moved out to Miami Blvd.
The building has seen rough times since then.
1800 Angier Ave, 2003.
1800 Angier Ave., 04.04.11
The man who lives at 1801 Angier Avenue started up a conversation with me as I was taking pictures (he actually started coming down the block after me with a "Hey!" for taking pictures of his house. Not that unusual.) After chatting a bit and deciding I wasn't the nefarious type, he started telling me about a grand plan to turn this old funeral home into a local movie theater "for the kids." No idea if this could come to fruition, but a great idea.
Something's happening as of April 2012; I honestly don't know yet if it's good or bad.
04.07.12
Comments
Submitted by Elizabeth M. Johnson (not verified) on Tue, 6/7/2011 - 8:52pm
A movie theater "for the kids" might be a tough sell to "the kids", given the upscale nature of newer establishments, the huge expense of getting first run films, etc. etc. If it were me, I'd be inclined to go the opposite directions and try to attract older film goers with classic films. And I mean "classic" in the broadest possible sense. That would make it more of a destination spot instead of just one more movie theatre peddling expensive, B grade films to a bored public. Either way I will follow with interest what the owners decide.
Submitted by Ken (not verified) on Tue, 6/7/2011 - 8:52pm
This is not a "a classic" film neighborhood.
Submitted by WCS (not verified) on Tue, 6/7/2011 - 8:53pm
There is no way I would go to a movie in *that* building. The fact that it's a former funeral home just gives me the creeps.
Come to think of it, I don't know of any business that could go in there that I would feel comfortable enough patronizing!
It's a shame though. The building is rather pretty...
Submitted by Miles (not verified) on Tue, 6/7/2011 - 8:53pm
That place is the dead center of town.
Submitted by Renee (not verified) on Sat, 6/25/2011 - 2:00am
Really? Just because it was a funeral home, you wouldn't patronize a business in that building? Why? Do you think there's zombies in the basem*nt who want to feast on your brains or something? If there are restless spirits, which I doubt, I don't think they'd be hanging around a former funeral home. If you think about it, there's more respect paid to the dead in funeral homes than in most other places, so they have little for them to be attached to or angry about there. On the other hand, I could be completely irreverent and suggest that if a movie theater would work there at all, probably a theater for horror movies would be a good fit. There's a certain factor in that which might even appeal to the most jaded teenager.
Submitted by durhamite (not verified) on Tue, 4/10/2012 - 9:18am
What an idea! People are dying to go see a movie there!
Submitted by Ray Watson (not verified) on Thu, 8/4/2011 - 2:00am
A point of correction. The orignal house was never torn down. It underwent a major renovation in 1953-54. The second floor was expanded and the red brick front and sides were added. I have earlier photos of the house if you are interested on adding them to the web page. rwatson47@nc.rr.com
Submitted by willie george (not verified) on Fri, 5/16/2014 - 6:07pm
My parents owned a house on the property where the Chapel was built 1968 . They bought the property in the mid 50's from Mr.& Mrs. Crain. He was in Charge of the Durham Foundry In Downtown Durham. My father worked at Hudson Funeral Home.
Submitted by Perry (not verified) on Sun, 6/30/2013 - 4:38am
I would love to see earlier pictures of the house. I have photos of the house as well. I would love to see what you have to add them to my collection. You can email me at djpdogg@yahoo.com thanks
Submitted by gary on Sun, 6/30/2013 - 5:34am
Perry - what I have is what you see. Feel free to add your own photos to the entry for the benefit of all to see, or you can email them to me, and I will add them.
GK
Submitted by Perry (not verified) on Sun, 6/30/2013 - 1:17pm
I would like to add more than just photos. I would like to fill in the gap you have between 1986 and 2011. My grandfather actually bought the property from Hudson and moved his funeral home in the building. It was called "House of Reeves Funeral Home". It remained in operation until he passed away in 1989. Later my mother took over the property and we lived in the building for 12 years.
Submitted by gary on Sun, 6/30/2013 - 1:23pm
Perry - great. Just sign up for a login and password, and then you can read the "How to add content of edit existing content" how-to guide here:
http://www.opendurham.org/how-add-or-modify-content-open-durham
Then just hit the "New Draft" tab at the top of the post when you're ready to start editing. Looking forward to your additions!
