Benton and Moore (Ca. 1910-ca. 1915)

The Manufacturers' Record, Jan. 1, 1912, reported that F. S. Hargraves, secretary of a company interested in building a hospital, had plans from Benton and Moore for a hospital 47 by 80, mill construction, electric lights, slate roof, steam heat, to cost $8,000. Built by Dr. Hargraves to serve black patients, the brick building with Doric portico was soon named Mercy Hospital. After years of being endangered, it has been rehabilitated for a new use.

The large, columned building, a major work by the firm, was among the most imposing commercial structures in Wilson.

The Manufacturers' Record, of Feb. 5, 1914, reported that the firm had produced plans for an African Methodist Episcopal Church Building, 60 x 75 feet, $15,000. The handsome Gothic Revival church was erected in 1915 by local brickmason John Barnes.

The Manufacturers' Record, of April 2, 1914, noted that Benton and Moore had planned a brick veneered house for W. E. Pace.

The Manufacturers' Record of June 27, 1912, reported that the Wilson Hotel Company had plans by Benton and Moore for a hotel with electric elevator and asbestos roof, to cost $45,000. It is not clear whether it was built or what name it was known by.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 19, 1914.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 5, 1914. This was one of a several houses reported in the journal of that date as designed by this firm, including those for F. J. Forbes and B. J. Pully, for which no further information has been located.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 5, 1914.

The Manufacturers' Record of Jan. 2, 1913, reported that the Greenville Banking and Trust would erect a bank building from plans by Benton and Moore.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 5, 1914.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 5, 1914.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 5, 1914.

The Manufacturers' Record of March 5, 1914, reported that Dr. John Soliba and Benton and Moore, architects, would receive bids to erected the Elizabeth City Hospital, 3 stories, steam heat, tile roof, to cost $25,000. As pictured by Butchko, the edifice was among the most imposing hospital buildings of its day, a massive, generally symmetrical brick building, two stories on a raised basement with a Corinthian portico and dome more typical of a courthouse than a hospital. It was greatly altered later in the 20^th century. In 1988 the architects' original rendering was on display at the Albemarle Hospital. Its present whereabouts is uncertain.

The Manufacturers' Record of April 2, 1914, noted that Benton and Moore had planned a building for the Borroughs-Pittman-Wheeler Co., 50 by 106 feet, 3 stories.

Manufacturers' Record, Feb. 19, 1914.

The Manufacturers' Record, June 27, 1912, said that Benton and Moore were preparing plans for a 4-story hospital in Fayetteville. On Aug. 1 the journal said that the Fayetteville Infirmary Co. had awarded a contract to Wilkins Construction Co. of Wilson--a 58 x 88 foot, 3-story facility of "mill construction," with hot water heat, electric lighting, and a hand-operated elevator, to cost $15,000. It later became Cumberland General Hospital and still later a hotel.

The Manufacturers' Record of Jan. 14, 1915, reported that Benton and Moore of Wilson were architects for a hospital to be erected in Burlington, 75 x 80 feet, electric elevator, to cost $20,000. Sponsored by Dr. Rainey Parker and known as the Rainey Hospital, it is similar to but somewhat simpler than the Elizabeth City hospital. Later known as Alamance General Hospital and succeeded in the mid-20^th century by a new facility, the large neoclassical building has been converted to a new use and has been altered with the addition of large wings.

The postcard view of the hospital features a rare example of a drawing signed by Benton and Moore.