A. H. Watkins Papers, PC.5097
Abstract
Allen H. (A. H.) Watkins (1906-2003) was a Greensboro, North Carolina business man. In 1936, he began corresponding with Frank Stick and Theodore S. Meekins regarding the purchase of land on the Outer Banks in order to build a summer home. He bought land from the S. E. Tillett Company and began constructing a house in Kill Devil Hills in 1939. The structure was designed by Louis Voorhees, an architect based in High Point, North Carolina. Watkins corresponded with Frank Stick during much of the construction of his house. The A. H. Watkins Papers contains correspondence, blue prints, bank statements, canceled checks, and construction crew payroll records.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- A. H. Watkins Papers
- Call Number
- PC.5097
- Creator
- Watkins, A.H. (Allen H.), 1906-2003
- Date
- 1936-1941
- Extent
- 1.800 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.5097, A. H. Watkins Papers, Outer Banks History Center, Manteo, N.C., U.S.A.
Collection Overview
The A. H. Watkins Papers contain materials related to the building of a summer cottage located in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. It contains bank statements, account books, correspondence, blueprints, canceled checks, deposit slips, receipts, payroll records and blueprints. Also included are three aerial photographs of Coastal Patrol Base 16 and U.S. Navy Base operations at the Dare County airport in Manteo, N.C., during World War II. One of the images depicts Watkins's plane, the Curtiss-Wright A-14-D. There is considerable correspondence between Watkins and a number of local businessmen, including S. E. Tillett, E. W. Baum, R. Bruce Etheridge, Theodore S. Meekins, and Frank Stick. The correspondence deals with the purchase of land and building supplies, accounts due, and the possible purchase of the Croatan Hotel.
Arrangement Note
This collection is arranged into two main series: Correspondence and Personal Papers.
Biographical Note
Allen H. (A. H.) Watkins (1906-2003) was a Greensboro, North Carolina business man and a graduate of Sewanee University in Sewanee, Tennessee. Watkins, an aviation enthusiast, received his pilot's license in 1923. He served during World War II as a base commander of Coastal Patrol Base #16, at Manteo, North Carolina. After the war he had a career in business as secretary-treasurer of the Bogle-Watkins Corporation and president-treasurer of the Watkins Oil Company. He later worked for Triangle Hosiery. He married Elizabeth Adams of Greensboro, daughter of John Hampton "Hamp" Adams and his wife Elizabeth. In 1936, he began corresponding with Frank Stick and Theodore S. Meekins regarding the purchase of land on the Outer Banks to build a summer home. He bought land from the S. E. Tillett Company and began constructing a house in Kill Devil Hills in 1939. The house was designed by Louis Voorhees, an architect based in High Point, North Carolina. Watkins corresponded with Frank Stick during the much of the construction of his house.
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
The bulk of the collection was purchased through an Ebay auction in 2006. The photographs of World War II air bases in Manteo were donated by LeVern Davis Parker in January 2019.