Durham, << DUR uhm, >> North Carolina (pop. 283,506; met. area pop. 588,911), is a city in the north-central part of the state. Durham is a regional center for education, health care, and industry. Its chief products are lumber products, machinery, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Duke University and North Carolina Central University are in the city. Research Triangle Park is a large research complex in the area.
The area was settled in the 1750’s. But the city did not develop until the mid-1800’s, when a railroad was built through what was then the small village of Durhamville. Tobacco crops flourished in the soil of the area. Durham produced an early smoking tobacco known as Bull Durham. In 1865, General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered his Confederate Army to Union General William T. Sherman at the Bennett Place, just west of the city.
Durham was incorporated in 1869. The city has a council-manager form of government. It is the seat of Durham County.
