NCModernist Architecture You Love

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Donald Ellsworth
Statham

(1934–2026)

Statham grew up in Bartlesville OK and graduated from high school in 1952. He attended Northeastern A&M Junior College, Miami of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State. Before coming to Raleigh he worked for Millard Buck. From 1956 to 1960 he attended the NCSU School of Design and had a design business on the side, even as a student. Statham tells the story of being in an early studio with a French design professor. Statham presented his project using metal trusses - which the professor had not yet covered in class. The professor asked, "Mr. Statham, why did you use these materials?" Statham produced a sketch and said "the architect of this shopping center (on Hillsborough Street) used them very successfully." The professor said, "What makes you think you're as qualified as the architect of this shopping center?" Whereupon Statham replied, "I am the architect of this shopping center."

From 1957 to 1958, he worked for Terry Waugh and Raymond Sawyer building models including the 26-year Master Plan for NCSU. Statham freelanced for architects Ross Schumaker, Frank Simpson, and Bruce Cauthern through 1962. At that point he began designing and building Modernist houses as partner and VP of S&S Construction with Harold Stephenson. Statham also had a partnership with Charles Shaw called Bryn Mawr Builders. S&S went out of business in 1964 and the houses under construction were foreclosed on by First Citizens Bank. Statham moved back to Bartlesville OK in 1964 and formed Ross/Statham until 1968. From 1968 to 1972 he ran Don Statham and Associates then moved in 1972 to work for Don Cowan, Starcrete International, and Matthew Bodo in St. Petersburg FL until 1981. Next, Dallas TX, where he worked for Gary Adams and Partners through 1987. After that, he lived in California and died in Nebraska.

The last street in the Raleigh subdivision containing Airline and Sandia Drives is Debra Drive, named after his daughter Debra Kay Statham.

Donald Ellsworth Statham Donald Ellsworth Statham
1960

The Harold B. and Betty W. Stephenson Residence

1406 Creech Road, Garner NC

Sold to Godwin Building Supply. Sold in 1969 to Fred W. and Joyce Piper. Sold in 1976 to Margaret B. Coleman.

The Harold B. and Betty W. Stephenson Residence The Harold B. and Betty W. Stephenson Residence The Harold B. and Betty W. Stephenson Residence The Harold B. and Betty W. Stephenson Residence
1962

The B. A. Jones House

2912 Sandia Drive, Raleigh NC

Harry Weiss bought it in 1964 out of foreclosure from Dixie Development Company. The builder was S&S Construction, a partnership between Statham and Harold Stephenson. Sold in 2017 to Michelle and Jon C. Parsley. Bottom photo by Leilani Carter.

The B. A. Jones House The B. A. Jones House
1962

The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence

4914 Rembert Drive, Raleigh NC

It was the 1964 Raleigh Garden Club Tour House of the Year. The roof has steel beams and has solidly withstood many storms. Sold in 1988 to Jack Preston who still owned it as of 2017. 2018 renovation designed by Brian Shawcroft, built by David Ballard. Bottom three photos by John Suddath.

The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence The Frank B. and Patricia Y. Day Residence
1962

Untitled

3004 Sandia Drive, Raleigh NC

Sold in 1965 to J. Arthur and Melba S. Jones. Sold in 1995 to Sandra and James Jones. Sold in 2001 to Christopher Hunter. Sold in 2005 to Joseph Kelley and Jennifer Quirk. Photo by Leilani Carter.

Untitled
1962

Untitled

2408 Rockridge Court, Raleigh NC

Sold in 1987 to Howard and Pamela Buckholz. Sold in 1980 to Robert P. and Katherine M. Holding. Sold in 1991 to John F. Monehan and Karen Lynn Johnston. Sold in 1993 to Karen Lynn Johnston. Sold in 1995 to Stuart and Mary Deibel, still owners as of 2022.

Untitled Untitled
1963

The Solomon and Rosalie Hersh Residence

2314 Weymouth Court, Raleigh NC

Sold in 1999 to Allen M. and Kim Weiss. Sold in 2006 to Elizabeth and Brian Gullette. Sold in 2013 to Jennifer Moore and Raleigh Myers.

The Solomon and Rosalie Hersh Residence The Solomon and Rosalie Hersh Residence The Solomon and Rosalie Hersh Residence
1963

Untitled

3700 Swann Street, Raleigh NC

Sold at auction in 1964 to First Citizens Bank. Sold in 1966 to Jerald H. and Shirley M. Tucker. Sold in 1972 to Leonard and Katherine E. Smith. Sold in 1988 to Murray H. and Patsy A. Bolt. Sold in 1991 to John R. and Joan E. Davidson. Sold in 1999 to Gilbert F. and Jane Jarrell Jr. Sold in 2014 to Katherine B. Moore.

Untitled Untitled
1963

The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House

2409 Rockridge Court, Raleigh NC

Remodeled in 1975. Sold in 1981 to Sally and Christopher D. Baker Jr. Elouise England was added as an owner in 1984. Sold later in 1984 to David P. Coward. Sold in 2003 to Cymbre Q. Raub. Sold in 2013 to William H. Dodge and Shelley Kimball-Dodge. 2014-2015 renovation designed in collaboration by the owners and Raleigh Architecture & Construction Company. Subsequent major phased renovations 2017-2021 by the Dodges with construction by Don Morse. Landscape architect, Gregg Bleam. Sold in 2021 to Kayle Dubeshter and Corbin Magee.

The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House The Herbert (Herb) and Sophie Friedlander House
1964

The Donald L. Dean House

3005 Sandia Drive, Raleigh NC

Sold in 1979 to Oren F. and Sue J. Painter. Sold in 1990 to Homer L. Monk. Sold in 1998 to Sandra L. Jones. Foreclosed 2012. Sold to First MTG Strategies Group who did a complete renovation. Sold in 2015 to Ilenana Cazan and Lobo Ruben. Top photo by Leilani Carter.

The Donald L. Dean House The Donald L. Dean House The Donald L. Dean House The Donald L. Dean House
1964

The Charles and Ruth Dysart House

3401 Caldwell Drive, Raleigh NC

Sold to Ali and Jaleh Panahi. Sold in 1984 to Paul and Linda Jenkins. sold in 1988 to Sidney and Patricia Young.

The Charles and Ruth Dysart House The Charles and Ruth Dysart House The Charles and Ruth Dysart House The Charles and Ruth Dysart House
1967

The Bruce and Margaret Chester House

1205 Glen Eden, Raleigh NC

Sold in 2012 to Christopher Rouse. Sold in 2025 to Linnane Construction, which destroyed it.

The Bruce and Margaret Chester House The Bruce and Margaret Chester House The Bruce and Margaret Chester House The Bruce and Margaret Chester House The Bruce and Margaret Chester House

Somewhere in North Hills, Raleigh NC. Do you know where it is?

Somewhere in North Hills, Raleigh NC. Do you know where it is?

Sources include: Don Statham; Patricia Day; Harry Weiss; Kim Weiss; Regan Burns; Ryan Frank.