Cunningham Mill Architecture, Randolph County, NC, 1900s

This vintage photograph, captured by Frances Benjamin Johnston, showcases the rural architecture of Cunningham Mill vicinity in Randolph County, North Carolina. The image highlights the characteristic structures of the area, including well houses and sheds that were essential to the daily lives of its inhabitants.

Johnstons work is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, a project that documented the diverse architectural styles and historical significance of southern buildings. This particular photograph contributes to our understanding of regional craftsmanship and the integration of practical structures in rural communities during the early 20th century.

The photograph dates back to the early 1900s, a time when such buildings were vital for agricultural and domestic functions. This image serves as a valuable historical record, reflecting the construction techniques and materials used in rural North Carolina, and it is preserved in the Library of Congress for future generations to study and appreciate.