Ongoing Research
There has been little discovered on mortgage discrimination in Watauga County when compared to more metropolitan counties. However, work continues, particularly through deed searches, and researchers have discovered some examples of racially restrictive covenants in deeds and plat maps.
The Villavue Subdivision In Blowing Rock
A proposed racially-restrictive covenant was found in a Blowing Rock plat map of the Villavue Subdivision from July 7, 1947.
This map depicts the Villavue development and specifies: "1. Each lot shall be used for residential purposes only, and shall be occupied and owned by people of the white race only."
A current map showing the Villavue development in 2022.
The second plat for the Villavue development was created in August 1947. This plat contains no racists language or mention of Villavue being a racially restricted subdivision.
Most plat maps do not include much text or anything other than survey information, making this one unusual in that it explicitly states a racially-restrictive covenant.
Annie B. Smith and Louis H. Smith obtained this land in July of 1945, and this plot map was the first map created to set boundaries for the Villavue subdivision.
However, this same map was redrawn a week later by a surveyor and did not contain the racist language. Any deed that was to reference a plat map is directed to this map (right), and not the hand-drawn one containing the racially-restrictive covenant.
The Daniel Boone Park Subdivision
There is ongoing research highlighting the racially-restrictive covenants placed in various deeds from the Daniel Boone Park subdivision. So far, research has shown nine properties with deeds between 1923 and 1976 that contain racially-restrictive covenants. It should be noted that the most recent deeds for these properties no longer contain these covenants or racist language of any kind.
Most of the racially-restrictive covenants of the Daniel Boone Park subdivision stem from an August 1923 deed of fifty-two lots between W.H. and S.L. Matthews to J.N. Davidson. The August 1923 deed clearly states: "The grantee nor his heirs or assigns shall ever convey the same to any person or persons of African descent."
August 1923 Deed with a racially-restrictive covenant.
In research thus far, nine properties on Grand Boulevard have racist language and discrimination found in their deeds. The majority of the properties stem from the August 1923 deed discussed above. Below is a map of the eight properties.
While much has been uncovered over mortgage discrimination and racism in housing in Watauga County, research is still ongoing. The Villavue and Daniel Boone Park subdivisions are one small area of the county, and with more research into various neighborhoods, there might still be more to be discovered.
Properties which have deeds with a racially-restrictive covenant in the Boone Park Neighborhood.
August 1926 Deed for 524 Grand Boulevard
September 1925 Deed for 455 Grand Boulevard
July 1975 Deed for 482 Grand Boulevard
While much has been uncovered over mortgage discrimination and racism in housing in Watauga County, research is still ongoing. The Villavue and Daniel Boone Park subdivisions are one small area of the county, and with more research into various neighborhoods, there might still be more to be discovered.