Captain James Hamlin
Captain James E. Hamlin (1859-1924) was an amazing man whose name is synonymous with Raleigh's Black history.
A graduate of Shaw University, he operated several businesses in the Raleigh area, and worked as a clerk at the Post Office. The businesses included:
- Green Front Saloon on S. Wilmington Street (1890's)
- People's Drug Store with partner Walter T. Harris (more on that later!)
- Ideal Cafe
- Billiard hall
The Green Front Saloon served as a recruitment center for Blacks who wanted to participate as a regiment in the Spanish-American War (1898). He helped create the famous Black Third NC regiment of US infantry in the Spanish-American War and became a Navy Captain. Stationed in the Philippines, they fought bravely in El Caney and Santiago de Cuba. After the war, he adopted a native young man, Valentin Cortez Hamlin, who became a pharmacist.
People's Drug Store, which was at 13 E. Hargett Street, was the oldest Black pharmacy in the country and the 1st licensed drugstore in...
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Raleigh Black Historian
Carmen Wimberley Cauthen
Author
Born at St. Agnes Hospital on the grounds of St. Augustine's College (now University) to a pharmacist and educator who were family fierce and community proud, I have heard, read, and researched Raleigh's Black history for most of my life. Join me here. I'll share what I have learned with you!
