This week Flashback Friday takes a postcard tour featuring the modest dwelling that is the birthplace of our country’s 17th President — Andrew Johnson. The Goodnight Raleigh postcard collection reveals that President Johnson’s Birthplace is the third most popular view card depiction of a Raleigh landmark, behind only the State Capitol and Fayetteville St.

Andrew Johnson was born  on December 29, 1808 to Jacob and Mary (Polly) Johnson, employees of Raleigh innkeeper Peter Casso. Andrew, his parents and older brother lived on-site at Casso’s hostelry.

Given its architectural styling and construction details, the gambrel-roofed structure probably dates to the late 18th century. The kitchen-dwelling was among several outbuildings which stood in the service yard of Casso’s Inn on Fayetteville St.

While there is no conclusive evidence to support it, long-time oral tradition maintains that this building was indeed Andrew Johnson’s birthplace

Since its erection  more than 200 years ago, the tiny structure has been moved from one site to another no less than four times.

Moved Once, and Moved Again

The Andrew Johnson Birthplace remained on its original site until the early 1880s (Casso’s Inn had disappeared decades earlier). Sometime between 1880 and 1884 the structure was purchased and moved to the 100 block of E. Cabarrus St., where it was used as rental property.

State Archives of North Carolina photo

The Andrew Johnson Birthplace as it appeared at its E. Cabarrus St. location.

The color-tinted postcard below was printed by the Souvenir Post Card Co. (New York City) and mailed more than 100 years ago. Obviously, the early photo seen above was used as the foundation for the application of the color.

July 8th ’08
My dear Emily,
I didn’t hear from you yesterday and I didn’t hear from you to day. Does that mean you are going with us? I truly hope it does.
Lovingly, Janice

Here is another card showing the house from a different angle when it stood on E. Cabarrus St. (Published by J. Murray Jordan, Philadelphia)

Friday
I can send more [illegible] if you need them. Mary is O.K. and great. [illegible] Love to all. W.

In the late 1880s the house was first identified through oral tradition as the birthplace of Andrew Johnson. The designation was promoted by Raleigh historian Fred A. Olds, who in 1902 founded the ‘Hall of History’, now known as the North Carolina Museum of History.

Thus associated with the 17th President, the Wake County Chapter of the North Carolina Society of the Colonial Dames moved to purchase the house in 1904 and have it relocated to Pullen Park, where it was to be maintained by the City of Raleigh as a memorial.

State Archives of North Carolina photo

Andrew Johnson’s Birthplace at its first location in Pullen Park — down by the tracks. 

Curiously, the city moved Andrew Johnson’s Birthplace to a site near the railroad tracks which bisect the park. Apparently the house was poorly maintained, as its remote location invited vandalism and temporary habitation by train-hopping ‘hoboes.’

The unmailed postcard below was published by the Rotograph Co. (New York City, printed in Germany) sometime before 1911.

On the Move Again — Twice

In order to better preserve the historic landmark, it was moved in the late 1930s to a site in Pullen Park closer to Hillsborough St. There the sadly neglected building was stabilized and restored, and opened to the public in 1940. Although closed during the World War II years, The Andrew Johnson Birthplace reopened in 1948, and remained a popular site for visitors for the next 27 years.

Jan 20 / 39
We are very cold here / saw snow part of the way, Raleigh is cold but no snow. We hope to hear from mother or dad when we reach Jacksonville. We are well, seemed good to get our car in Richmond. N.Y. was very cold [illegible] Love Nana

Dear  Eva;
Sure seeing the country / didn’t realize it was so big. Washington D.C. is lovely.
Judy has been a good girl so far.
As always, Clara.

In 1975 the Andrew Johnson Birthplace was moved a fourth time — to Mordecai Historic Park, where it was meticulously restored  in accordance with historic preservation guidelines.

The humble two-room cottage is furnished with many period artifacts from the Mordecai Collection and the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greenville, Tennessee. It also houses an exhibit dedicated to the 17th President and his family’s long ago occupancy.

Finally, at long last, after more than 200 years on the move, the Andrew Johnson Birthplace has found a permanent place as a jewel in the crown that is Raleigh’s Historic Mordecai Park.

This photochrome postcard depicting Andrew Johnson’s Birthplace at its current site is sold in the park’s gift shop.

The Andrew Johnson Birthplace has been designated a Raleigh Historic Landmark.

Our Flashback Friday postcard tour this week includes representative examples of linen finish, color-tinted, white border, photographic halftone and photochrome postcard types. The publishers include Souvenir Post Card Co. (1905-1914), New York City; J. Murray Jordan (1901-1909), Philadelphia; The Rotograph Co. (1904-1911), New York City; E. C. Kropp Co. (1907-1956), Milwaukee; and Curt Teich Co. (1898-1978), Chicago.

“Flashback Friday” is a weekly feature of Goodnight, Raleigh! in which we showcase vintage postcards depicting our historic capital city. We hope you enjoy this week end treat!