Greensboro Daily Photo

D is for Dogs, People and Paws for Hope

In the above photo, we see the building that formerly housed the Central Carolina Convalescent Hospital at 710 Huffine Mill Road, between Summit and Bessemer Avenues. We drove by this weekend to see the former hospital again because there was a question about its location during Eugene Pfaff's recent book talk about the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro. During the sit-ins, the above facility served as a place to detain protestors. However, it was initially built in 1948 to quarantine and treat polio victims.* One woman vividly remembered it was "somewhere out off of East Market Street" said when her parents drove her past this facility, she held her breath for fear of catching polio. 

This facility is so important to the history of Greensboro, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Great Mid-Century Polio Epidemic. It is always larger in our memory than it is when we actually visit it in person.** Surprisingly, nobody has pursued getting it on an historic registry. While, a few years ago, it appeared to be abandoned and deteriorating, there is hope for its upkeep, however.

On Sunday's visit, we learned that the facility currently houses People and Paws for Hope. This non-profit organization helps youth between the ages of 5-18 with Animal Assisted Therapies and Activities. They also help dogs be socialized with humans so that they can be adopted into forever homes. So, as serendipity would have it, our trip to the polio hospital brings us in a round about way to today's ABC Wednesday cause: D is for dogs, our canine companions. As People and Paws for Hope reminds us, we need dogs and dogs need us! Good luck to this organization. Good luck to 710 Huffine Mill Road!

*read an interesting article about the polio hospital (here).

**Last time we were there it was painted blue. 

In Their Own Words.......

Last night, Eugene E. Pfaff, Jr. spoke at the local Barnes and Noble about the Civil Rights Movement in Greensboro. He was adamant that Greensboro deserves more credit for its impact and the involvement of its citizens in the movement-at-large. To that end, he assembled and published an oral history of the Greensboro Civil Rights Movement entitled, "Keep on Walking' Keep on Talking' ". Pfaff likens the role of the interviewees in his book to master chefs in the kitchen; the readers to the gourmets at the table; he sees himself as the waiter, merely delivering the feast. 

Pfaff attributes some of the power of Greensboro's civil rights history to the fact that there was significant interaction and cooperation between the black and white communities; interaction between students and adults; there was multi-generational representation; and many well educated, highly accomplished, local African Americans took place in the movement. Pfaff's knowledge of the issues, laws, people, places and events of the movement make him the perfect person to conduct interviews and document our civil rights history. That this retired librarian is the son of a history professor adds to his credibility!

In the above photo, Pfaff is signing a book for one of his former teachers from the Curry School on the campus of the Woman's college of the University of North Carolina.

Eller Memorial Baptist Church

We took this photo of Eller Memorial Baptist Church late Tuesday afternoon as we were leaving the parking lot of McDonald's Restaurant on Summit Avenue. However, when we came home and began researching the church, we're thinking that the church-looking building behind this one, on 4th Street, is actually Eller Memorial Baptist and this is simply an office building. This flat-roofed structure circa 1960, we're guessing, was formerly an office building. We cannot find a website for Eller Memorial Baptist; however, the name Eller  is connected to the church history of Greensboro in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

William Hamilton Eller was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina in 1842. His parents moved their family, by covered wagon, to Iowa in 1852 to be with relatives and to distance themselves from slavery. William was quite precocious and had the good fortune of being surrounded by people who saw to it that he received a formal education. William served in the military, became a minister, teacher, editor, lawyer and judge. He objected strongly to drinking alcohol and at one time was part owner in Keeley Institute, a national organization, based in North carolina that treated alcoholics and drug addicts. In 1896, he entered the baptist ministry in Greensboro. Eller loved establishing churches and was instrumental in starting eleven churches. In 1923, the year after Eller's death, Cherry Street Baptist Church was renamed "The Eller Memorial Baptist Church"  In 1925, the new building was built on the corner of Walnut and Fourth Streets with 24 of the 25 thousand dollars for Eller Memorial Baptist being donated by Cone Mills. Herman Cone, while Jewish, was an ardent supporter of religious freedom and wanted to fund a church that served his mill community. Read more about the Ellers published by Lynn Eller in 1990 (reference).

Now, we're anxious to return and photograph what we're guessing is the main church building. In the meantime, enjoy today's photo, and, if you have any information, please post it in the comment section.

Revolution Cotton Mills

We've featured Revolution Cotton Mills previously; however, we love this view of the red tower at the end of the street. Revolution Cottin Mills were built in 1899 and were part of a 2 million square foot complex in northeastern Greensboro and harken back to the day when Greensboro was a national center of the textile industry. If you ever get a chance to walk around the structure, you will be amazed at the strength and durability of the construction. For the safety of the workers and for insurance purposes, the mills needed to be built according to "slow-burning" specifications: Watertight floors, spaces separated by brick firewalls, and extra sturdy support timbers (read more here).

The facility is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and with the help of Historic Preservation tax credits, it continues to be renovated and repurposed. We owe you a look of the inside of the facility. We owe OURSELVES a look on the inside and we'll put it on our to do list. In the meantime, if you are looking for office, event, or meeting space, this is a great place to start! This brick facility is solid as a rock, and, with proper care, should last at least another century!

Paisley Street... Quietly Endures

Paisley Street is located downtown, near the Smith Street Diner and the First Presbyterian Church-- vestige of early 20th century Greensboro. The street is named for the Reverend William Paisley who was born in Guilford County in 1767, forty one years before Greensboro became a city. The Rev. Paisley was involved in early real estate transactions in the county. He purchased lots on West Market Street from Thomas Caldwell. The lots were located just beyond the western town limit, perhaps not too far from this street that bears his family name.  

If you look closely, you will notice the JP Building peeking through in the background. If you are local, likely when you were little, you believed that all roads led to the JP Building, the city's time-and-temperature revealing epicenter. This sleepy little residential area of downtown is quite charming. Hopefully, it will survive the current construction boom at nearby Eugene Street. We're sharing this with Skywatch Friday, so that the world can see the sky over Greensboro.

Pet Dairy Building on Summit Avenue

Here we see the old Pet Dairy Building on Summit Avenue near the overpass down to Morrow Blvd. In an interview with John Schlosser, John Kincaid, Sr. remembers the 1930's when there was not only a plant, but also a retail dairy bar here. Kincaid and his (male) friends walked there for 10-cent milk shakes. Another option to go for a dairy treat here would be to come to the plant by taking electric street cars from nearby textile mill villages (reference). The plant was still thriving in the 1960's and we found this archived legal document regarding their efforts to furnish dairy products to a NC veterans' hospital in 1963. More recently, Kavanagh Homes purchased the building and 8-acre site in 2006, with plans to develop it for residential units (more here). We're not sure about the current plan for the building and site; however, it would be nice if the façade of the historic building remained. The architecture and signage on the building are worthy preservation. Additionally, Pet Dairy is a link to our city's textile-mill-village life.

Post a comment if you know anything else or have memories of this building east of downtown in a little area that reminds us that Greensboro's terrain is not completely flat. (By the way, we hope we're linking and referencing in a way that shows integrity. We love the ease of accessing information through the internet).

St. Phillip AME Zion Church on Ashe Street

Saint Phillips African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is located at 1330 South Ashe Street, in the heart of the historic Warnersville community. The church was organized in 1908 and rebuilt in 1966. Pastor James Robertson, Jr. has his name carved on the cornerstone. Likely, he was pastor in 1966, at the time the above church was built. The Warnersville community itself was established in 1867, about the time the AMEZ movement was taking hold in the USA and about a half of a century before the above church was organized.

According to AME's website, the religion began in 1796 and the Black denomination being chartered in 1801. Zion was added in 1848 to distinguish the group from the Philadelphia Black Methodist movement. Since its beginning, the AMEZ church has worked to nurture the whole person-- mind, body, spirit. The crux of the ministry is spirituality, sharing the gospel, racial justice, peace and harmony. Also, the denomination emphasizes education of its members. An early member is quoted as saying "In order to succeed in American society as productive citizens, we [the newly freed slaves] need to become an educated citizenry" (reference).

We wish this church had its history available online as it has been in the heart of a community that was the first to allow people of color to own their own homes, build their own churches, run their own businesses and educate children. The community attracted many African American professionals. Today, many of the businesses are gone, but St. Phillips  Church is here in all of its glory. Look at those stained glass windows that make you feel as if you are sitting in heavenly clouds when you are inside. If you are local, Rev. .J. Shuford, Jr. delivers his message Sundays at 11:00.

Z is for Zenke, Otto Zenke

Today is ABC Wednesday and we're closing out our People of Greensboro Series with Z is for Zenke, Otto Zenke (1904-1984). In the current issue of O. Henry Magazine, Deborah Salomon writes that Otto Zenke is the "hottest" interior designer North Carolina has produced and he has left his imprimitaur on many of the homes of his day. While the Zenke legacy endures, it is unfortunate that that he lived and worked in the pre-internet era. There is simply not enough written about him, nor enough available photos of his interiors for the public to enjoy. His elegant,English, estate-inspired style, infused with relaxed tones and motifs of the American south are as relevant today as they were when Zenke was at the peak of his career. One interior can be seen in a UNCG article on design (here). Additionally, his name lives on in the Otto Zenke Competition, sponsored by the Carolinas Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

In 1939, Otto Zenke moved to Greensboro from New York with his brother Henry to start Otto Zenke Interiors and they lived and worked in Greensboro until their death. Henry's wife Virginia was also a designer in the business. Today, Chris and Ginia, the son and daughter of Henry and Virginia, work tirelessly to oversee the needs of the estate, which have included relocating Zenke houses (see here and here).

The above room is not attribited to the now-deceased interior decorator; however, since we haven't been able to photograph any rooms that were decorated by Zenke, we found one arranged around a "fireplace", a Zenke hallmark. (The photo is  a grouping currently on display at Printer's Alley, at Westover Terrace). 

http://www.myspace.com/gborocollegeart

 

Tri-City Fish Market

For years, Tri-City Fish Market and the painting of the siren/mermaid adorned Lee Street near Elm Street downtown-- a central section of town bringing together patrons from east and west Greensboro. It was conveniently located with parking to the side. Tri-City was the main place in town for fresh fish, seafood and oysters.  It predated the big box stores like Wal-Mart and Costco and made fresh seafood available when grocery stores didn't have the large, iced seafood sections. A few years ago, Tri-City Fish Market relocated to Florida Street just south of the Warnersville community. As seen in the above photo, the siren-mermaid resumed her spot on the right-hand side of the building.  While you may be able to get your seafood elsewhere, for sure, you can't get Tri-City's freshness, expertise, and personal service. 

One time Mrs. GDP developed an English course for immigrants who worked at a similar fish market in another city. After several days of on-site observation, we were teaching new employees to ask customers, "Do you want the heads left on the fish?" and to understand when the customers requested in English, "fillet the fish, remove the heads but save them for me." Then, the person working at the counter would shout back to the person cutting the fish, "Fillet, no heads, save all."  On a busy afternoon, you can hear similar lingo at Tri-City. Stop by, learn to speak 'fish-market-ese' and leave with the makings of a savory meal. If you are like us and you've made one of the 'eat-healthier' pacts for New Year's, visit Tri-City sooner, rather than later.

Greensboro Country Club

Today we take you to the Greensboro Country Club (GCC) in the heart of Irving Park. This member-owned, private club was incorporated in 1911 on 58.52 acres of land that belonged to A.M. Scales. The original goal of the club was to promote outdoor games, exercise, and healthful sports. Since the beginning, playing golf has been a major pastime for the members. The above clubhouse was built to replace the one destroyed by fire in 1920. Over the years, GCC has expanded in acreage and membership. Through a merger, the Carlson Farms course in northwest Greensboro became a part of GCC in 1969.

Since we have been featuring a Wednesday series on the People of Greensboro, it seems fitting to share a country club in which numerous, prominent citizens of Greensboro are members. Many deals have been negotiated and agreed upon with a handshake over a round of golf in this beautiful facility. As lovely as the weather has been lately, the fairways and greens at GCC have been busy. We even saw a few junior golfers trying out their new clubs yesterday! Sunny winter days in Greensboro are delightful.... on and off the golf course!

Golf in Greensboro and The Greensboro Country Club have interesting histories. Read more here.

U is for Us...All of Us

Today is ABC Wednesday and for this series we are featuring the People of Greensboro.

For "U", instead of an individual, we're featuring "us", ALL of us-- we, the people of Greensboro. Among us, are the known and unknown; the named and unnamed; the celebrated and uncelebrated. Nothing captures this dichotomy better than the historic Underground Railroad. As seen above, decades before the Civil War, Greensboro was involved in seeing that fugitive slaves were guided to a better life. Quaker Vestal Coffin was one of the known in the chain of assistance and Sol. John Dimery was the first known Underground Railroad passenger from Guilford County. Behind both of these great people were many who contributed without recognition. We are lucky to have so many great people in and from Greensboro; those for whom books are written and signs are erected and those for whom rewards are more intrinsic. Here's to all of us!

In case you are having trouble reading the microscopic letters at the bottom of the sign, the above historic marker was erected February 1st, 2000 by the 40th anniversary committee of the Greensboro Sit-In Movement  on the W. Friendly Avenue side of Guilford College.

Stop back next Wednesday for, "V".

Dr. Shubal Gardner Coffin's Jamestown Home

Today we are in Jamestown on Main Street at Dr. Shubal Gardner Coffin's house. Built in 1855, the home was constructed overlooking the railroad tracks that had recently arrived in Jamestown "to enjoy the improved access and visibility afforded by train travel." According to the nearby historic marker sign, the house features Greek revival details like board and batten siding. Dr. Coffin (1809-1881) established a medical school in Guilford County in 1840. Dr. Coffin, whose life spanned the Civil War years, was a member of the Coffin family that was involved with the Underground Railroad. Abolitionist Levi Coffin was the most well known family member. Recently, we found an internet article of the family's history (available on the internet here). 

A few years ago, when the bright yellow home had an antique store in it, one could explore all of the nooks and crannies. For sure, the residence overlooks the railroad tracks, allowing the Coffins to observe all the coming and going of rail cars. At one time, the Greensboro/Jamestown/High Point area was quite the crossroads for passengers and commerce in the south.

The FASHIONABLE Guilford National Bank

On Greensboro Daily Photo, we find inspiration when and where we least expect it. The above photo was taken at the Antique Marketplace in Greensboro. The black & white advertisement, nestled between Pyrex kitchen bowls and vintage cocktail dresses, is for Guilford National Bank, the Friendly Center Branch.

According to the archives of the News and Record, the Guilford National Bank opened in 1934 with capitol of $250,000 and merged with Security National Bank in 1960. Since Friendly Center opened in 1957*, we're guessing this ad was published in the late 1950's. The ad establishes the bank's locations as the following: 419 N. Elm; 301 S. Elm; 1301 W. Lee ; 1712 E. Bessemer; and Friendly Shopping Center. The text below the black and white photo of the girl with her poodle reads:

                            WHY IT'S FASHIONABLE TO SAVE

"I heard daddy say we should save for the things we want. That's why I started my savings account at Guilford National Bank. Now I have my own fancy poodle. You, too, can have the things you want to be fashionable. Open your Guilford Bank savings account today."

We love that use of the word fashionable. What would we say today? trendy? cool? a good thing? Why is it fashionable to save in the 21st century-- or not?  What are you saving for? We're sharing this post with Weekend Reflections. There is just a touch of reflection in our photo (inside the Pyrex bowls on the edge of the ashtray peeking out from the lower left corner); however, check out the reflection in the glass window & door in the advertisement.

*read more about the early years of Friendly Center here. 

P is for Preddy Brothers, George and William

The Preddy Brothers, George and William, were raised in Greensboro, at 605 Park Street, near Summit Avenue and War Memorial Stadium. As a young boy, the ever-resourceful George opened a concession stand at War Memorial Stadium. He called it "The Mouse Hole," a play on his nickname, "mouse." The precocious George graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1935 at age 16. He was passionate about aviation and became an Army air force pilot. Following in his older brother's footsteps, Bill also became an Army air force pilot. George was killed by 'friendly fire' in Europe on Christmas Day, 1944. Bill died of injuries sustained when his plane was shot down less than four months later, April 1945. Both Preddy brothers are buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in France. Imagine losing not one but both of your sons overseas in time of war.

The above memorial kiosk, dedicated to the Major George E. Preddy, Jr. and First Lieutanant William R. Preddy, is located at Piedmont Triad International Airport. At first, we tried to wait for this husband and wife team to leave so that they would not be in the photo. However, we were touched by the fact that they stood for a very long time, reading every single word and watching the video about the Preddy Brothers. Their presence shows the power and effectiveness of promoting the people and places of Greensboro in the airport where, not only travelers but also locals-- like us, learn about our history and culture. 

 Today is ABC Wednesday and P is for the Preddy brothers, George and William.  (See previous entries here). To see Greensboro from the perspective of the Preddy brothers, click here.

Ai Cemetery

On  Day of the Dead, today we are floating through Ai Cemetery in remembrance of those who are in eternal rest. The Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos, is a holiday akin to Catholicism's All Saints' and All Souls' Days. In Mexico, there is a decidedly indigenous/Aztec flavor to the celebration. The deceased are honored by gathering in homes, at churches, and in cemeteries. It is a time to remember the dearly departed with little offerings of the deceased family member's favorite food, beverages, and with little gifts. It is said that the final death on earth comes when nobody living remembers you.

If such a holiday were celebrated widely in Greensboro, the McGready descendants would be singing and dancing in Ai Cemetery right now. Nancy L. McGready, who was born in 1797 and died in 1858, is buried in this cemetery adjacent to Ai Church. The surname, McGready, is a variant of the Gaelic word meaning "trained" or "expert." The McGready's were some of the early settlers to Guilford County. James McGready migrated to Guilford County from Pennsylvania in 1778 and settled near David Caldwell's congregation. McGready, pious from childhood, became a minister and had congregations in Haw River and Stony Creek.* Now that we've learned about the McGready's, we'll need to return to Ai Cemetery to see if the preacher is buried there. As for where "Ai" got its name, nobody knows for sure.

For more information on Preacher McGready of Guilford County, read chapter 4 of The Great Revival: The beginnings of the Bible Belt by John B. Boles.

Ai Church: Preservation in Process

Ai Church, at the corner of Alcorn Road and Highway 68 in Oak Ridge, appears to be on the road to full restoration. Spring 2009, when this church was featured on Greensboro Daily Photo (see here), there was little indication that someone was making an effort to save it. Today, Preservation Oak Ridge is renovating the 1,400 foot structure that was built in the 1800's. Through fundraisers and donations from the local community, the church will be transformed into the gateway to Oak Ridge. Local lore indicates that the cemetery, on the eastern side of the property, came into being at the time of the Revolutionary War.

Estimates indicate that the cost of renovating this church and adding outdoor facilities, including a picnic area and restrooms, will cost at least 200,000. The price tag is hefty for this community, in the northwest quadrant of Guilford County. However, given its proximity to the Old Mill of Guilford, the combined effect of two historic properties will make one's entrance into Oak Ridge from the south truly grand.

Thank you for visiting us on Sacred Sunday when we feature something of a spiritual nature from one of the many religions of Greensboro and the surrounding area. Stop back tomorrow and see a pre-Civil War grave located in the Ai Cemetery. 

PTI Airport at Night

Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport is beautiful at night, especially in the rain. Here is a picture of the Fed Ex side of the airport just after a soaking rain when the asphalt took on the magical reflective quality of a lake. PTI is located eight miles west of Greensboro. The landing field is called Lindley Field, named for the Lindley family who owned it prior to 1927. It was the second official airmail route in the USA. Another great piece of PTI (not so trivial) trivia is the fact that Charles Lindberg brought the "Spirit of St. Louis" here in 1927. This summer, when we interviewed Greensboro lawyer Henry Isaacson, Chairman of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, he told us how much he enjoyed his involvement with the airport. We're betting he is an arsenal of PTI trivia.

Today, we're bringing you a David- Letterman-style top ten list. The top ten busiest domestic routes out of Greensboro's PTI are #10... Washington-Reagan, DC; #9 Washington-Dulles, DC; #8 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX; #7 Detroit, MI; #6 Newark, NJ; #5 Chicago O'Hare, IL; #4 New York- LaGuardia, NY; #3 Philadelphia, PA; #2 Charlotte, NC;..... #1....ta...da...Atlanta, GA (reference). 

This is our contribution to Weekend Reflections.

Weir-Jordan House

The Weir-Jordan House, located at 223 North Edgeworth Street, was built in 1846. According to their website, the house is believed to be one of the ten original homes built in downtown Greensboro. The house is built in the two-story, traditional, double-pile style. The home was first owned by Dr. David Weir, President of the Edgeworth Female Academy, and then by John F. Jordan who was in the tobacco business. Mr. Weir went on to found the first insurance company in Greensboro and Mr. Jordan was a local sheriff and eventually served as Director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Presently, the Greensboro Woman's Club meets at the Weir-Jordan House. They have owned it since 1921. Additionally, it is available for catering events and civic organizations can arrange to hold meetings there. While the home has undergone renovations and a few modifications, it still retains its yesteryear charm. It is believed to have been designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, the architect who planned the State Capitol in Raleigh as well as the Blandwood Mansion in Greensboro. Since 1984, the house has been on the national register of historic places. It is one of those places that is easy to drive by and not notice; however, this house is worth noticing. 

X is for Ten Miles

Today is ABC Wednesday and, as you may know, for this series, we've been featuring streets. Well, what to do? There is not even one street in Greensboro that begins with the letter "X." Many of you were kind enough to suggest that we feature a major crossroad of two Greensboro streets. That was our intent, when, serendipitously, we stumbled upon this street-related  X at the Greensboro Historical Museum. In the above photo, you see a stone marker with an X carved in it. The brass plaque below the X reads, "Last stagecoach marker in Guilford County. Formerly located at Sedalia, the "X" indicated that Greensboro was 10 miles away. Such markers were common on the main roads prior to 1860."

So, for ABC Wednesday, X, Roman numeral 10, marks the spot. This stagecoach marker and X in the road was located very near this diner in the eastern end of the county, 80 miles west of yesterday's post.

View our previous, ABC Wednesday ( A-W) posts here. Two more weeks until we think of a new theme for Round 9 of ABC Wednesday.

The North Carolina Museum of Art

While the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) is located in Raleigh (not in Greensboro), it is a public, state museum which means that, from Manteo to Murphy, ALL North Carolinians have a vested interested in it. In 1947, when the state first earmarked funds for an art collection, it was the first state in the U.S.A. to do so. NCMA's history dates back to 1924; however, the first permanent venue opened in 1956 in downtown Raleigh and the current Blue Ridge Road location opened in 1983. In 2010, a second building opened on the 164-acre Blue Ridge Road property. If you want something fun, educational, and recreational to do this summer, grab your family, friends, walking shoes and bicycle and head to NCMA. Unless you dine in the wonderful restaurant or go to one of the exhibitions on loan, the museum is FREE. Read more about all that NCMA has to offer HERE.

The visual art in the photo above, by Devorah Sperber, is called Mona Lisa 2. It is made from 5,184 spools of thread-- fitting for a textile state. If you look through the crystal viewing ball in front of the piece of art, not only is it right side up, you can also move the sphere around to see if Mona Lisa's smile follows you. See more of Sperber's thread spool works HERE. They range from a few hundred to 60,000 spools of thread. We are so lucky to have not only one of Sperber's installations but also this wonderful museum with exhibits ranging from Ancient Egypt to the digital age.

We decided to feature Raleigh today, ninety miles to the east, because tomorrow's post will be ten miles east of Greensboro, where, years ago, stage coaches stopped en route to town. Stop back by to view this little piece of history.

 

Judaism 101

If you want to learn about Judaism in general, Judaism in Greensboro & North Carolina, and contributions to the local community by Jewish residents, visit the Greensboro Historical Museum and view this free exhibit. It starts with the above display of items important to a religious service, along with an 8 minute overview of the names and significance of the parts of a sabbath service. You can also see how a kosher kitchen is maintained. You can watch a video of a family seated to begin the sabbath meal and hear of its significance in linking the family members to each other as well as helping them connect to the the Jewish community at large. The Greensboro Historical Museum is open on Sundays from 2-5 in case you are looking for something to do today. Go see a yad, tefillin, tallit, Havdalah spice box and more!

Although for Jews, Sunday is not the sabbath, it is the day on GDP when we share something spiritual and significant to the Greensboro community. In 2 1/2 years of Sundays, we are nowhere near short of running out of things to feature. See previous posts here.

You've Got Mail

Yesterday, we featured a part of Randleman Road that is holding on to old-time ways. Today, we see a mailbox that evokes memories of yesteryear. It is located on Immanuel Road near Hunter Elementary School. In North Carolina, we like colorful mailboxes and like to grow clematis vines on them. While you see the rusting, green country mailbox in the foreground, in the background, the city, highway signs of Merritt Drive are slowly choking out the rural feel of this part of town. However, we can't drive past 3438 without wanting to stop and share a glass of iced tea and reminisce with the owners. Is your personal style represented in your mailbox? Does your mailbox make people smile? Do you look forward to daily surface mail delivery or are you more interested in your electronic in-box?

Like Greensboro's landscape, the US Postal Service is undergoing changes. If we're reading the data correctly, revenue is down in fiscal year 2011 (here). Perhaps that reflects the increase in electronic communication. However, in North Carolina, what's gone is not forgotten. The North Carolina State Archives has a postal history project available online! No stamp necessary-- yet.

Mother's Day 2011

Today is Mother's Day; hopefully, you are celebrating the day with your mother-- either in person or in spirit. The above photo of a mother and her children was taken at the Revolutionary War reenactment in Country Park this past March. The mom walks with her sons tethered to her side. (During the colonial era, little boys wore loose gowns until they were potty trained). Leading the way, her daughter walks confidently a few paces ahead. The picture represents motherhood at its best-- a rewarding, uphill, hike, enjoying your little miracles of life every step of the way. 

In honor of all the moms out there, we'd like to share a few Sacred Sunday quotes:

Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living ~~Genesis 3:20

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all of my life. ~~Abraham Lincoln

If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been. ~~Robert Brault.

I miss thee, my Mother. Thy image is still the deepest impressed on my heart. ~~Eliza Cook

                                                                                                                        (more quotes here).

K is for Kemp Road

Today is ABC Wednesday and "K" is for Kemp Road. Located in Hamilton Lakes and flanking Lake Euphemia, Kemp Road is really two roads: Kemp Road East and Kemp Road West, with 55 and 71 homes respectively. The property above, located at 302 Kemp Road West, backs up to Lake Euphemia. Today's featured property was built in the 1920's for Joseph Reece Morton, founder of Morton Chemical Company. Through several acquisitions, including one by Pfizer in 1957, Morton Chemical Company today is Greensboro's  Morflex, Inc.

The Morton house, one of the early homes in Hamilton Lakes, blends Tudor Revival and French Eclectic styles (Fripp, Greensboro Neighborhoods, Volume II, 1998, p. 109). In recent years, and under new ownership, the house has been made significantly larger. When first built, Mrs. Morton developed elaborate, formal gardens on site. Even with the expansion of the house, the landscaping remains lovely. Below, see another view and more details of the roofline. Use the bay-window-birdhouse feature on the façade as a point of orientation between photos. Finally, Greensboro has 108 streets that start with the letter "K."  Learn about Greensboro's A-J Streets here. See another house in Hamilton Lakes here.

Battle of Guilford Courthouse This Weekend

This weekend, Guilford County will be reliving the late 18th century and the Revolutionary War. Reenactors will be pouring into Greensboro right and left for the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. If you are anywhere near Old Battleground or New Garden Road at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, you can be part of the 230th anniversary weekend. Already, the Revolutionary War Lecture Series is in full swing. Tonight at 7pm Historian Randell Jones will present "Before they Were Heroes at King's Mountain" at the park's visitor center. Call 336-288-1776 (like that catchy phone number???) to ensure there will be a seat for you. Same time/same place on Friday, you can attend "Old Ninety-Six, Crossroads and Revolution."

The schedule for this weekend is filled with camp activities, battles, crafts, music, guided walking tours, lectures, performances and demonstrations. So much to do here; so much to photograph. Call ahead as events might be cancelled or relocated due to weather. The above photo is from last year and the haze is smoke from a nearby battle that was in process. Below, check out the 1:30 video clip.  

Joseph M. Morehead

In our wellness effort to move more and eat less, today, we'll be traipsing through Guilford Courthouse National Military Park on this inviting path. We want to learn every inch of the battleground before the reenactment weekend March 12th and 13th. Today's photo takes us past the monument to Joseph M. Morehead who lived from 1840- 1911 and was an office holder in the Guilford Battle Ground Company. Mr. Morehead wrote the book,  "The battle of Guilford Court House, North Carolina, and the preservation of that historic field" (published 1909). "Morehead" is a prominent name in Greensboro. North Carolina even had a Governor Morehead. What we really love about (this) Mr. Morehead's statue is the shadow cast onto the tree to the right on this crisp, sunny blue day.

Information about more great statues, some of which are in this National Military Park, can be found here.

African American History Month: Greensboro Style

As African American History Month winds down, we wanted to share another photo of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade last month. The woman in the photo above marched the entire length of the parade down Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive with Dr. King's image held high. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been a national holiday since 1986.

African American History Month is one of America's efforts to pay tribute to "the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society" (Library of Congress, here).  This month, one of the most thought provoking tributes we've seen to the contributions of African American citizens was found on the door of a middle school classroom. All of the students selected and wrote a heartfelt thank you note to a different African American. May we all make an effort to respect the inherent worth and dignity of everyone, regardless of where we live. May we express these efforts through actions, words, and writing. Whom would you thank?

"Sail with the Pilot"

For years, "Sail with the Pilot," the jingle of Pilot Life Insurance Company, was featured prominently during the ACC Basketball Tournament in Greensboro. Today, this bust, reminiscent of a bygone era, remains at the helm at 1010 Elm Street in front of Pilot Financial Advisors. 

If anybody remembers anything about this bust, please post a comment. We don't recall how it landed it its present location or who made it. Stop back tomorrow to see what the sailor is looking at.

Greene Street Parking Deck

The 70th anniversary of the Weatherspoon Art Museum has inspired us to share more art today. This ceramic car is part of a collection of vehicles across the ages found on the Green Street Parking Deck in downtown Greensboro. The project was commissioned by the Cemala Foundation and executed by Burnsville artist Ron Fondaw. Cemala was founded in 1986 by Martha and Ceasar Cone II. The Cone family has maintained a commitment to supporting the arts in Greensboro for more than a century. The artist of the above project,  Ron Fondaw, originally from Kentucky, has developed an international reputation for curating, home designing and creating visual arts, the latter of which includes over fifty public art projects.

As you walk around the Greene Street Parking Deck, you see: a steam locomotive, a trolley, a tractor trailer, cars, and a HondaJet. The timeline of glazed, ceramic vehicles emphasizes the interface between the evolution of modes of transportation and the growth of Greensboro. If you are local, you will notice the large, colorful, lighted wheels on the side of the garage. They are part of the same installation. We'll try to bring you more photos from this parking deck. Given the length of the deck and the fact that it is six levels tall, it is virtually impossible to capture in one photo.

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Weatherspoon Art Museum

Run, don't walk to the Weatherspoon Art Museum to see the 70-year anniversary show. From now until May 1st, the museum will feature 100 pieces from their permanent collection. The museum, located on the campus of UNCG,  is a prime example of collaboration between local businesses, benefactors, townspeople, foundations and university faculty. The 42,000 square ft. space is filled with works of art by famous artists like Alex Katz whose painting is in the background above. On Sunday, patrons were captivated by the well-assembled anniversary exhibit. Also, the reception in the downstairs lobby was an enjoyable way to kick-off the exhibit and a place for members and friends to gather and socialize.

From the News and Record, we learned the the Weatherspoon was the first art museum in the UNC system and the second in the state. This is one more thing Greensboro has to be proud of. Best of all, entrance to the Weatherspoon is free. So, even if you only have 20-30 minutes, you can walk through the gallery and have a quick look-- daily. Don't take our word for it, head on over to the museum, if not in person, then virtually. The museum's website about the exhibit is a work of art in itself (see here).

Revolution Park

The sun rises over the three-acre Revolution Park at 2200 Yanceyville Street, at the beginning of Cornwallis Drive. If this softball field could talk, it would recount many fun times. For decades, workers from Revolution MIll, just down the street, came for picnics with their families and played ball from dawn to dusk. Workers at Revolution Mill were a close community; living, working, enjoying recreation, socializing, and attending school and church all within a few miles of the mill. Owners saw to it that their workers' children had access to a sound education and to family-friendly recreation. 

The park is a still-active city facility and, while textile looms were silenced in 1982, in 2003, the mill was purchased and renovated for office space. Preserving the integrity of the buildings, the $40 million dollar renovation has resulted in nearly 100 businesses opening within the structure. The owners endeavor to make the new facility the heart of the community. Many families on Maple, Cypress, Walnut, Fairview and surrounding streets have memories of Revolution Mill and Park that are as strong as the sun reflecting and refracting in this photo. When the weather warms, families will be filling up the field and the bleachers.

This post will be shared with Skywatch Friday.

"Just a Cup of Coffee"

February 1st, 1960 four students from Greensboro's North Carolina A&T University ushered in a movement of non-violent protests when they led the Greensboro Sit-Ins. The protest began with the actions of David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr (Jibreel Khazan), and Joseph McNeil. They insisted on sitting at the lunch counter in Woolworth's Department Store on Elm Street, even though they were African Americans. Getting a cup of coffee "to go" was not acceptable. Their brave act contributed significantly to the Civil Rights Movement and to reversing policies of racial segregation. The poster in the photo is a reference to this significant event. The young girl and her mentor were doing their civic duty and marching in the cold in Greensboro's recent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day Parade.  A piece of artwork, related to their poster, can be seen here. 

Over the years Greensboro, North Carolina has played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. Last year, we opened the International Civil Rights Museum. Additionally, we have two historically-black institutions of higher education: NC A&T and Bennett College. Ensuring equal rights and equal opportunities is important to our city and, if you want to learn more about the Civil Rights Movement, Greensboro is a great place to start. See related posts here on Greensboro Daily Photo. See here the front of the statue at NCA&T dedicated to the February 1 Movement and here for a different view.

Listen to a short audio segment of "Lift Every Voice and Sing,"  a poem written James Weldon Johnson and put to music by his brother John. The song is often called the African-American National Anthem.

 

B is for (East) Bessemer Avenue

Out of the 234 Greensboro streets beginning with the letter "B", this week's featured street is East Bessemer Avenue. Prior to the 1957 annexation into Greensboro, Bessemer was actually a town east of Greensboro. Bessemer School was a 1st- 12th grade public school for the Bessemer community. (Read its fascinating history with great links here). Until the eastern section of Wendover Avenue was constructed in the 1960's, Bessemer Avenue was the main artery to and from the east side of town. The Summit/Bessemer Avenue intersection was just north of the homes of some of Greensboro's most prominent citizens.

Bessemer residents billed themselves as blue-collar and working-class families. Many were mill workers. These families formed a tight knit community that valued the education of their children, almost above all. Teachers were respected community members and school athletics did a lot for uniting the community. Graduates of Bessemer schools remain active today, meeting in person as well as on Facebook. In the WWII era, a great community memory was built when actor Charleton Heston spent part of his military career at the army's Overseas Replacement Depot (O.R.D.), located in the East Bessemer/Huffman Street/Winston Street area.

East Bessemer Avenue has 86 homes; West Bessemer has 65 homes. Today's photo, located at 932 E. Bessemer Avenue, is a curb market in the business section. It has been an E. Bessemer landmark since 1955. For our friends at ABC Wednesday, "B" is for Bessemer!

L. Richardson Memorial Hospital

L

Today, as we reflect on the great life of Rev. Martin Luther King,Jr.  we bring you the following:

L. Richardson Memorial Hospital, at 603 South Benbow Road at the corner of Washington Street, has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1992. In May 1969, the history of the facility appeared in an article in the Journal of the National Medical Association (available here). According to the article, it was  a "Negro hospital to serve the needs of the city" (p. 205). Before it opened, Greensboro only had six hospital beds for African American patients. The history of the hospital and the benefactors is fascinating. If you are interested in the history of health care or African-Americans in Greensboro, please read the article.

The Mission Revival Style facility, shown above, was formally dedicated as a hospital May 27, 1927 with "a baby show, track meet, and May Pole dance at World War Memorial Athletic Stadium" (p. 207). During its time as a hospital, Richardson Memorial trained nurses and had several important clinics, including one for nutrition of newborns, one for artificial sun therapy to treat rickets, and one to treat tuberculosis. In June, 1966, this facility ceased being a hospital when patients were transferred to a new, nearby facility. Babies were transported in station wagons. The elderly were transported by ambulances supplied by local funeral homes. The transition, like the hospital was a grand community effort. The facility is named after its first major benefactor, Lunsford Richardson of Vicks Salve Fame. Back in the day, it was the only fire-proof hospital in Greensboro and was an impressively supplied and staffed facility.

Today, L. Richardson Hospital Apartments, the 32-apartment facility is intended for residents 55 or older. Rent prices start at $419 a month. Kudos for retaining the façade and the name, lest its history fade forever. (See more pictures with a dash of yellow on Mellow Yellow Monday).

U is for Urban Greensboro

Today for ABC Wednesday, we feature "U" is for "Urban Greensboro."

With an estimated population of 260,083, Greensboro is the third largest city in North Carolina. In 1808, we were known as Greensborough, a town planned around a central courthouse square. Greensborough was developed so that the Guilford County courts could be located closer to the county's geographical center. Since our pragmatic start two hundred years ago, if you consider our extended Piedmont Triad community,  the Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem area, we are than a million people strong. The above sign still stands today at the corner of Elm and Washington Streets. Someone feeling a little urban pride, PLEASE replace that "2"!

Other "U's" for Greensboro include the United Way, universities (University of North Carolina Greensboro, NC A&T University), the Undercurrent Restaurant, & Urban Loop. Can you think of any more?

Phone Home

Pay phones are quickly becoming a thing of the past-- recent, ancient history. In the era before cell phones, these public phones were found in every high traffic area. Pay phones have an interesting history, "In 1889, the first public coin telephone was invented by William Gray and installed at a bank in Hartford, Connecticut. The invention quickly caught on and by 1902, there were 81,000 pay phones in the United States" (reference here). Pay phone stations, where a person mediated the call, predated the stand-alone phones and the phone booths. Wonder how many pay phones are in the US and in Greensboro today? London has always been famous for its phone booths..... As we enter this holiday season, we encourage to pick up a phone and call those people who have touched your life.

If you are in Greensboro? Can you guess the location of this phone? Click here to see if you are right! When you click through the location will make perfect sense.

'Tis a Gift to be Simple

This is a photo of the inside of the New Garden Friends Meeting space located at the corner of New Garden Road and Friendly Avenue. The Society of Friends, New Garden Friends Meeting in Guilford County (Quakers) was established in 1754. As a religion, the Society of Friends traces its origins to mid-century England and Wales and believes that ordinary people can have a direct relationship with Christ. Neither priests, nor the Pope, nor preachers are needed to mediate the relationship with God. Therefore, above, you don't see a pulpit, fancy icons, crosses, or paintings. Pews, crisp white walls, and plain blue carpeting are the backdrop for the Friends' gathering here in Greensboro. In this religion, simplicity is highly regarded. Our Quaker friends practiced "reduce, reuse, recycle" long before the green movement. Quakers eschew titles (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Reverend), favoring, instead, the use of first names. As stated on Quaker Finder dot org, "(c)ommunity is a central part of the Religious Society of Friends." Together, the religious experience is deeper than when alone. If you are interested in attending a meeting, start here.

Yes, we know the title of this post is not Quaker but are lyrics of a Shaker song. However, that is the title that kept coming to mind as we roamed the hallway of the New Garden Friends Meeting and, again, as we were preparing this post for Sacred Sunday.

Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise

The Cedear Grove Tabernacle of Praise appears to be attached to and affiliated with the Cedar Grove Baptist Church. They are located together at 612 Norwalk Street, just off West Wendover between the car dealerships and Costco. The church got its start in 1923, nearly half a century before Wendover Avenue even existed. In the 1920's, this would have been a rural Baptist church. The first church was actually constructed in 1926 and rebuilt in 1966. We are so thankful that Cedar Grove has archived some of its history on their website. We'll share some of it here and provide the link in case you want to read more.

The tract of land for the original Cedar Grove Baptist Church was donated by the Boren Family of the nearby Pamona Terra Cotta Pipe Company.  Back in the 1920's, in order to raise money for the church, there were several fundraisers. Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown of the Palmer Institute was a guest speaker at a fundraising banquet held at the Terra Cotta School. Rev. J.T. Hairston also spoke. Dr. David D. Jones, former president of Bennett College sang at the fundraiser. Later, to celebrate the construction of the new church, the entire congregation marched down Red Road (now Wendover) to Buffalo Creek for the first baptism (excerpted from here). Today, reverend James Johnson and his wife co-pastor the church. We offer this photo and text to you for Sacred Sunday!

Blumenthal's Big & Tall

Blumenthal's Clothing Store, formerly at 358 South Elm Street & presently at 4620 West Market Street, has been a Greensboro institution since 1926. A great photo of the former downtown location is seen here. Also, the Greensboro Historical Museum has on display the neon sign from inside the Elm Street store. The sign tells about the offer of the customer receiving a free pack of cigarettes if the last letter of their receipt matched the number on the sign. It was always so much fun to see if you had a winning receipt, even after cigarettes fell out of favor as a prize!

According to a News& Record article September 2010, Blumenthal's is closing everything but the Big & Tall portion of their business. For us, it is always sad to see the end of those old Greensboro businesses. In the above photo, you see the Blumenthal's mobile as well as a view of the Market Street location. While the Market Street store has great products at reasonable prices, gone is the provenance of the downtown store-- squeeky wooden floor boards, old wood and glass counters from the 1920's, converse tennis shoes and Dickies work pants (when nobody else had them), the chance of a prize with purchase, employees with tape measures around their neck.

This is our contribution to Ruby Tuesday! With that bright yellow vehicle, the photo could have worked for Mellow Yellow Monday! Honk if you love Blumenthal's!

Old Greensborough

The Old Greensborough Gateway Center is located at 620 South Elm Street, at the corner of Lee Street, in the heart of "Olde Greensborough." At one time, the building was owned by Greensboro's blue jean giant,  Blue Bell, Inc. Currently, it is a renovated, mixed-use space with offices, storage, shop areas, studios, light manufacturing available for rent (here). 

The façade was renovated, 2000-2004, by Jo Ramsay Leimenstoll. Professor Leimenstoll is Director of Graduate Studies for the Interior Architecture Program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 1982, the Olde Greensborough district was placed on the National Register. We would like to learn moare about the history and lore of this building. Today, our "O" is for old, as in Old Greensborough.