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W. Duke, Sons and Company
The shift into Durham in 1874 and the
construction of the new factory there marked the beginning of a large
scale tobacco company that climbed gradually to the top of the
industry. At first, many of the basic hand methods used at the
homestead were employed at the new factory. Washington Duke's sons
took a more active role in the facility establishment. Brodie, who
had gained experience and become moderately successful as a manufacturer
during his four years in town, moved his business into one wing of the new
town factory. Benjamin and Buck Duke were given equal partnerships
and assumed much of the responsibility for company operation.
Washington traveled throughout the country, concentrating his efforts on
promotion of the company's products.
By now Washington Duke had established himself as
one of the wealthiest men in Orange County and was fast emerging as a
leading citizen of Durham. Affiliated with the Republican party,
Duke participated as a candidate in several local and state elections.
Aside from his interest in politics, a much
greater concern of Duke's was the stiff competition from other tobacco
operations in the town. The old established leader was W. T.
Blackwell and Company, with its "Bull Durham" smoking tobacco,
which became for a time the largest firm of its kind in the world.
The Dukes invited a new partner, George W. Watts of Baltimore, to join the
firm in 1878 and renamed the business W. Duke, Sons and Company. The
move was significant because Mr. Watts' investment broadened the company
capital, enabling it to be more competitive with the older, more
established firms.

The Dukes' first home (left)
and factory (right) in Durham. |