Greensboro Daily Photo

Shiloh Baptist Church

Here we see a view of Shiloh Baptist Church located at 1210 South Eugene Street, near where the street turns into Elm-Eugene.  According to the News and Record's archives, Shiloh Baptist has been experiencing internal strife for the last fifteen years as evidenced by their frequent turnover in leadership. However, Shiloh Baptist, located in the Warnersville community, has a rich history and held a legendary place in the civil right struggles of the 1960's (reference and here). It would be great if the church would develop a website and post their history and share photos from their archives.

Shiloh Baptist has such an interesting roofline and adds to this view of a sunny Greensboro sky full of fluffy clouds. Have a great Sunday everyone. 

Glenwood Coffee & Books

Glenwood Coffee & Books, located at 1310 Glenwood Avenue, is a great resource and retail space in the heart of the Glenwood community. Not only can you get a good cup of coffee there and find a great book to to buy, you can enjoy music and get involved in community events. Occupy Greensboro made many posters in the back room and continues to meet there. The space is likely to appeal more to the arts-loving, liberal-minded crowd. Every community needs good, independent bookstores. If you are interested in learning more about the bookstore, "like" their Facebook page or stop by when you get a chance. We hope to get by, soon, and interview the owner. He has been involved in indie bookstores for several, several decades. 

The bookstore is located very near the community garden in Glenwood (featured here in 2009). Where do you go to learn what is happening in Greensboro? 

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.

MLK, Jr. Parade at Southside

Here is the tail end of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade yesterday with the iconic Jefferson Standard/Pilot/Lincoln Financial building in the background. The parade route took us north on MLK Drive, through Ole Asheboro and Southside and then downtown. The air was brisk but it kept everyone energized. Organizations were generous with tossing candy to children; the bands sounded great; and it was a nice way to remember our city's efforts towards equality. From church groups to postal workers to scouts to high school marching bands, to bystanders, a memorable time was had by all. 

These events are so good for community building. It would be nice to find a way to plan for these days with all public school children out and doing something with/for the community.

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.

Christmas 1944 & The Battle of the Bulge

While the popular media has been featuring holiday homes of "Deck-a-hall-ics" with over-the-top decorations, Greensboro has a house depicting a serious, historical event from Christmas 1944: The Battle of the Bulge. The house, photographed above, is located on Deep Green Drive, just off of Westridge Road, near Bryan Blvd. As seen in the sign, the three life-size soldiers (warming their hands over a fire) are replicas of soldiers of the 101st Airborne, "The Screaming Eagles." The Battle of the Bulge was fought in Bastogne, Belgium during World War II. With lawn after lawn brimming with blinking lights and inflatables, it is nice to find one that provides a different look at Christmas. 

If you are really interested in military history, and this event in particular, we encourage you to read an online journal of the event, as told by Eduardo A. Peniche. Peniche, a bilingual, Mexican-American, provides a first-hand account of the event. After his military career, Peniche went on to become a professor of Spanish in Texas. Unfortunately, Combat Veteran/Professor Peniche died in 2008; he would have loved this tribute. As we enter this week before Christmas and with Hanukkah about so start, let us take time to remember that not every holiday is Norman-Rockwell perfect and let us be thankful if it is!

Addendum: We have just learned that a sculptor modeled the three faces after a photo of the homeowner's uncle, father, and father-in-law, who all fought at the Battle of the Bulge. The uncle, represented by the figure on the left, came to view the display last weekend. Touching!

 

Christmas on Hubbard Street

Hubbard Street is located White Oak "New Town" community of Greensboro. White Oak, listed as on the National Register of Historic Places, is part of a mill community in northeast Greensboro. One hundred years ago, when Greensboro's textile mills were in full-steam production, White Oak Mills employed five thousand people. By the early 20th century, it was the largest denim factory in the world. Thanks to the Cone brothers, a thriving city-community surrounded the factory. This house is very typical of the mill houses in the neighborhood.

Also typical of the houses in this neighborhood is the connection to history and to community. While White Oak has changed somewhat in recent decades with the rise of rental property in the area, it is still easy to find a good old-fashioned home with great character. This little pink house on Hubbard Street, a block from Buffalo Presbyterian Church, is impeccably painted with a white picket fence and vintage, cement steps leading to a wreathed gate. This Christmas, the darling house on Hubbard reminds us that good things DO come in small packages.

Against the crisp, warm blue winter sky, the scene is heavenly and we are sharing it with Skywatch Friday.

View from College Hill

Ever in search of a great view of our city, we just found a new one: The view of College Hill from Spring Garden Street. To the right is the all new housing community, The Province, that was erected near UNCG on the property that was once Newman Machine Company. The whole character of the southeast corner of historic College Hill has changed with this new complex. For one thing, more people are out walking and riding their bikes on sunny days. On the horizon, we see the landmark, Jefferson Standard/Pilot/Lincoln Financial building; a point of reference not only for this neighborhood but also for the community at large.

Many a great Greensboro citizen has worked in the (now) Lincoln Financial Group building, including yesterday's Mr. Vanstory. Seeing our 233 ft. skyscraper from this vantage point reminds us that it and the 20 story addition really are the landmark/beacons of our city.  Julian Price, president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance and the person who oversaw the project from blueprint dream to granite structure, paid for the building in full as he did not believe in debt.* Even though much has changed around the 1923 building, once the tallest between Washington D.C. and Atlanta, it remains an icon in the Greensboro community. Recently, the time/temperature indicator at the top of the LFG building was repaired. Many a child grew up developing an awareness of time and temperature from that device. 

*reference.

Tree and House; So Poetic

Once there was a tree and it was so beautiful that the owner of this house decided to remodel the house around the tree. The oak tree continues to grow tall and thrive on this Shady Lawn lot, located off Etney Ridge, in the neighborhood behind Earthfare (off Battleground). This neighborhood is very conveniently located to Bryan Boulevard and Battleground Avenue. Many people like it because it is quiet, the houses are reasonably priced and it is zoned for Grimsley High School. 

If you like houses built around trees, look at this 300 year old tree in Pasadena, CA that has a home built around it. That post reminded us of Joyce Kilmer's poem.

    I think that I shall never see

    A poem as lovely as a tree.

    A tree whose lovely mouth is prest

    Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

    A tree that looks at God all day,

    And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

    A tree that may in summer wear

    A nest of robins in her hair;

    Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

    Who intimately lives with rain.

    Poems are made by fools like me,

    But only God can make a tree.

Is there a special tree in your life? We're sharing this with Weekend Reflections.

Percy Inn: Dead and Breakfast

From ghoulies and ghosties and long leggety beasties and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us*...from 703 Percy Street. This house in historic Aycock District is one of Greensboro's many residences where Halloween is taken seriously.  Because Halloween is on a Monday this year, most of our community events have come and gone. Since tomorrow is a school & work day, it is anticipated that crowds will be light and that the evening will come to a close rather early. Even the infamous Halloween party on Franklin Street in Chapel HIll is expecting significantly less than their record 80,000 visitor crowd. Locally, Lake Jeanette, The Aycock Historic District, Sunset Hills, Westerwood, Westridge and New Irving Park are just a few of the many areas that get inundated with trick-or-treaters from all over. If you live in one of those neighborhoods, you know what to expect.

Nationally, one of the scariest Halloweens came in 1938 when Orson Welles presented "The War of the Worlds" on the radio; listeners were terrified. If you are home alone tonight, between trick-or-treaters, you can read the H.G. Welles script here or listen to free audio here.  If you are participating in trick-or-treating, we suggest reading the safety tips published by Greensboro's FIRE DEPARTMENT.  

Finally, if you came here today to see the Ai Cemetery, stop back tomorrow. We forgot that Percy Street was already in the hopper.  

 *Scottish saying

If you need some creepy music to play when trick-or-treaters come to your door, click on the you tube video below.

 

Hearty Orange Tree in the Arboretum at Lindley Park

After all the research we did for yesterday's post on John Van Lindley, we're not quite ready to drop the topic. By chance, on Sunday, we were sitting on a bench at the Arboretum in Lindley Park listening to Scotty Walker's band. Looking up, we noticed these spikey/thorny branches above us. Intrigued that some of the branches had leaves and others did not, we leaned over to see what kind of tree we were near. According to the sign, this is a hearty orange tree. How fitting that an orange tree is growing on land that formerly belonged to John Van Lindley who was an expert with fruit trees. The branch of botany that studies and cultivates fruit trees is pomology. Lindley was an expert pomologist. 

Down the road from Lindley Park is the Pomona Park neighborhood of Greensboro where Lindley had Pomona Nurseries and where his business, The Pomona Terra Cotta Works was located. In the same neighborhood, at the end of the 19th century, the Pomona Cotton Mill opened. In 1905, Pomona Baptist Church was built and soon thereafter, the nearby Pomona Cemetery opened.  Since Pomona is the ancient Roman goddess of fruitful abundance, we're thinking Lindley had his hand in getting all of these places named "Pomona."

Today, Pomona Drive has no houses and its surrounding area is gray.... full of businesses and industry. (See here for a photo).  We are especially thankful that Mr. Lindley left so much green space for us to enjoy today. We are thankful that organizations like Greensboro Beautiful and our master gardeners work so hard at planting and keeping things green. For a very long time, we hope to enjoy tranquil vantage points like the one in the photo. We suspect Lindley would be pleased upon seeing this orange tree thriving in a place for all to enjoy.

Down Home on Rankin Place

This buttery yellow house on Rankin Place is located a stone's throw from Tate Street and Greensboro College.  The 1,500 +/- square ft. house, built in 1900, is found in historic College Hill where houses are known to have distinctive personalities. The flowers and greenery in the front are typical of late summer gardens in older neighborhoods. The plants are spindly and leaning in all directions-- a picture of wild abandon.  It is as if plants and flowers are having their last hurrah before the weather turns cold. Just beyond the camera's view, the yard has a garden of edible greens growing on the left, near the cinder blocks. The yellow paint on this home is slightly different than the yellow house on Hendrix!

Walking  around Greensboro's historic neighborhoods is a great way to get ideas for plants and foliage that look nice into autumn. Before you know it, maple trees and blueberry bushes will be putting on quite a show. Pumpkin patch and corn maze time is just around the corner.... It is hard to be patient and enjoy soaking in this last few weeks of summer knowing the delights fall will bring!

 

The Westerwood Neighborhood

Every neighborhood deserves a proper entrance. Westerwood has just stepped up their identity with this new signage installed at the round-about near Benjamin Parkway, across from the park and under the big, old oak tree. The rounded sign consists of brick, stone, metal, and plaster. This neighborhoood, a mere .384 square miles with a population of 1,241, is one of Greensboro's oldest. It is well maintained and well established, has charming granite curbs, narrow tree-lined streets and plenty of architectural variety. The two spikes in demographics are for residents in their early 20's and 50's. College graduates and those with advanced degrees in this neighborhood are well above Greensboro's average. The neighborhood is known for its visual and performing artists. In early October, artists host an "art and sole" walking tour open to the public. The event is a great way to get to know the neighborhood and to commence your holiday buying with local and handmade purchases (more here). We usually start our shopping at the Fairies' Nest located in Westerwood.

Here is a house and a church in the neighborhood that we featured last year. This is a neighborhood with impromptu concerts, dog walks, music lessons, artists studios, and fun. Having front porches and houses close together help with neighborliness. How does your neighborhood rate on the neighborliness scale? Is there anything you personally could do to enhance its livability? Remember, change can start with one!

HOPE on College Hill

On the heels of the 9/11 anniversary, internet posts, including those on Greensboro Daily Photo, have been a little heavy-hearted this weekend. Today, we lighten the mood up with a microcosm of HOPE and greenery on a porch in College Hill. College Hill is the historic neighborhood between Greensboro College and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Walking around the neighborhood is fascinating as students have a way of customizing porches to reflect their personality, interests, beliefs, and worldview-- often on a shoestring budget.

College students are on the cusp of taking their place as society's leaders. In this case, we've got a co-ed who likes greenery and who radiates HOPE. "Hope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to the events and circumstances in one's life" (Wikipedia). Let's hope the best not only for this optimistic student but also for all of us!

This Saturday (September 17th) from 1-7pm, Tate Street will hold its bi-annual street festival. Music, food, crafts and clothing vendors take to the streets to bring you lots of fun (take a peek at last fall's festival here). If you come to the Tate Street Festival, take time to veer off the beaten path through College Hill to see the students' homes-away-from-home. The leisurely stroll among bicycles, peace signs, CO-EXIST bumper stickers, and conversation circles just may give you.....HOPE.

Bestway Grocery Store

Bestway, located near the corner of Walker and Elam Avenues, is the longest continuously-running grocery store in Greensboro. The location has been a grocery store since 1947. In 2008, Roger and Nancy Kimbrough purchased Bestway and have been renovating and sprucing it up ever since. They have kept the touch of nostalgia by doing things like leaving the old-font lettering and old-school shelving as well as carrying nostalgic food items (like boar and castle sauce) that can be hard to find elsewhere. However, new to Bestway is the expanded drink cooler as well as the commitment to keeping the store looking clean, well-organized, and local, when possible. Here we see an employee pulling cans and boxes forward so that the shelves will look orderly and full. If the buzz in the neighborhood is correct, the Kimbrough's major investment on renovation is paying off! You know you have a good thing when customers range from high school students to retired professors!

This little slice of updated nostalgia at 2113 Walker has a Facebook page. How 21st century is that?? We're sharing this photo with our friends at Weekend Reflections. Wouldn't it be great to feature it in a 60's or 70's movie?!

Z is for Zornbrook Drive

Today is ABC Wednesday (Round 8) and we're at the END of the alphabet. For 26 weeks, our theme has been A-Z streets in Greensboro and we've made it through the alphabet (here). As for Z, Greensboro has two streets that start with Z, Zola and Zornbrook Drives. We decided to feature Zornbrook, because it is not only a street but also a neighborhood. Zornbrook is located in southeast Greensboro, off of Highway 421 and Alamance Church Road, just South of Sharpe Road. Zornbrook Drive has 17 homes, is in a limited access neighborhood and dead ends into a cul-de-sac. During the day, it is not uncommon to see people out walking children and pets-- hopefully not in the 100 degree weather we're experiencing! If you're reading, Zornbrook, we'd love to see you get a new Z on that entrance sign.

Next week starts a new round of ABC Wednesday and we hope to feature people of Greensboro (past and present). We encourage our readers to contact us and help with ideas. Please do not be shy in sharing your ideas. Greensboro Daily Photo works best when readers interact with us! In the meantime, Saturday's Coffeeology post has received 12 comments (last count) and the peach photo from yesterday was one of the most-viewed photos this summer. Ornamental cabbage remains one of the most popular searches to bring people to GDP. Regardless of how or why you land on our website, we're really grateful you are here and will try to provide features that bring you back! Have a great rest of the week.

July 4th in Kirkwood

Every event needs a focal point and The Kirkwood July Fourth Parade has the larger-than-life flag in the middle of a road named Independence! This scene on Independence Road in Greensboro's Kirkwood neighborhood has been reenacted for sixty three years. Anyone can don a red, white, & blue outfit and participate. Yesterday, children on vehicles of all sorts--bicycles, wagons, trucks, tricycles, and even stilts-- rode along passing under the giant FLAG. 

Every year, the parade gets a little more elaborate while remaining consistently informal. This year The Honorable Howard Coble was in attendance, Robbie Perkins was handing out bottled water, and the floats of the Guilford County Republican Party brought a little bit of politics to the parade. The sense of family, neighborliness, and camaraderie was evident and more treats were tossed to onlookers than in most city parades. The five o'clock time slot was just perfect, allowing families to enjoy the Fun Fourth festivities downtown in the morning and fireworks at the coliseum/amphitheater in the evening. For those who were too tired to venture out at night, there was plenty of backyard sparkler twirling to bring closure to the festive day.

Aerial View of Southside

Here we see an aerial view of Greensboro's Southside neighborhood in all of its glory on a warm, summer day. If you want to learn a LOT about the neighborhood, located on the southeast tip of the city, please follow the link for the quote:

"Greensboro, North Carolina's Southside neighborhood, a 10-acre revitalization project, is one of the city's first significant mixed-use infill projects.Greensboro's Department of Housing and Community Development developed a traditional neighborhood district ordinance-- based on the Southside Area Development Plan adopted by the Greensboro city council in 1995-- to assist Southside's redevelopment" (Buntin & Low). Southside has been wildly successful and, Buntin and Low report that before re-development, this 10-acre area took in less than 1/2 million in tax revenue and post-development takes in around 10 million in tax revenue. 

If you are looking for something to do with so many extra hours of daylight, we suggest heading over to Southside, perhaps even to the Vintage301 Restaurant, to see what's cookin'. We're proud to share these clouds drifting through the radiant sky with our friends at Skywatch Friday. 

 

W is for Westridge Road

Today is ABC Wednesday and, by popular demand, "W" is for Westridge Road. Westridge is an east-west road between Battleground and Friendly Avenues.  To the east you have Village Tavern and to the west, Friendly Avenue Baptist Church and the Greek Orthodox Church. At the time it was constructed, Westridge really was at the western ridge of Greensboro. It crosses over Bryan Boulevard and Hobbs and the area between Westridge, Hobbs and Bryan Boulevard is known as Westridge Heights. 

The house in the above photo actually has its address on Smoketree Drive; however, this photo was taken on the Westridge side at the Bryan Boulevard West entrance ramp. When the home was built in 1996, many residents were in disbelief that someone would build so close to Bryan Boulevard. It was if the house were being built on top of this major access road through Greensboro. However, the owners did such a fabulous job of planting trees, shrubs, and perennials that today, fifteen years later, the mature plantings really do shield the property.

If you drive from one end of Westridge to the other, you will notice that it is actually very difficult to photograph the homes. They are not only set back from the highway, they are often elaborately landscaped and somewhat hidden from view. Even for this Victorian-style beauty with the stunning wrap-around porch, we had to duck under trees, as evidenced by the shadow line in the foreground.

Well, next week, we're going to have to do something creative because no street in Greensboro starts with an "X."    Suggestions? Also, if you're just joining us and you want to catch Greensboro's A-V streets, go here. Finally, click the button below if you want to see what the rest of the world dreamed up for "W" day.

                                                          

V is for Vanstory

It is ABC Wednesday and "V" is for Vanstory Street. The house above, located at 2019 Vanstory at the intersection of Murrayhill Road and near High Point Road, was selected because it looks like it is well-cared for by its owners and that it has served them well over the decades. Built in 1958, this split-level is probably as full of memories on the inside as it is on the outside. What we see from the street is a replica of a North Carolina lighthouse, outdoor seating and lighting, wind chimes, yard ornaments, perennial flowers, river rocks and much more. Can't you just imagine sitting in this yard, planning your beach vacation while watching lightning bugs rise from the cool grass? If this YARD could talk.....

Vanstory intersects Holden Road by Smith High School; it winds behind the Four Seasons Mall and Koury Convention Center and ends at High Point Road with a cemetery on the right and Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home on the left. In between, you will find businesses, apartments, churches, and private residences. We're not sure how the street got its name but Vanstory is a Greensboro name with much history. The Vanstory Clothing Company opened in downtown Greensboro in 1900. It was located in the Vernon Building (built in 1883) at the corner of Washington and Elm Streets. The LIberty Oak Restaurant is located in that building today.

We're hoping one of our readers will know the connection between Vanstory Street and the Vanstory Clothing Company. Surely there is one! See our earlier ABC streets here! Can you believe we're almost at the end of the alphabet?!

U is for Underwood Drive

Today is ABC Wednesday and U is for Underwood Drive. Underwood is located in the Friendswood neighborhood of Greensboro. Friendswood is sandwiched between Meadowood and Guilford College Road, not too far from Hamilton Lakes and about a mile from Wendover. The streets here are definitely the "woods." (Underwood, Virgilwood, Buddingwood, Friendswood, Big Tree Way, with nearby Spanish Oaks, & Sagebrush Trail).

The home above is fairly typical for the Friendswood neighborhood, in size and structure; however, unique is the ORANGE color that not even our Nikon could capture accurately! Underwood Drive, with its 22 homes, is only one of eight streets in Greensboro starting with the letter U. We're getting to the end of the alphabet for ABC Wednesday. Check out A-U here.  V-Z are still up for grabs if you have an idea or request!

Hydrangea Haven.... or Heaven

Today, we head a few blocks north from yesterday's photo to the corner of Tate sand West Market Street. This hydrangea is as beautiful as specimens grown by members of the National Hydrangea Society. This blue mophead is taller than the porch rail and the scene looks like grandmother's porch down a quiet rural road. In actuality, the intersection is very busy. The wrap-around porch is part of a house known as the Kennedy Chase House. Two lawyers, Chut & Brackett, and Swaim Tax Accounting have their offices here. Formerly it was the law office Mike Barber who was also a city councilman. 

We drive past this thriving-- yet, likely neglected-- hydrangea and wonder why ours in the back yard has half-opened blooms and wilts at the drop of a hat. It seems like the most neglected hydrangeas are the hardiest. We do know that the blue ones have more aluminum in the soil that the pink ones.

If it stays this hot in Greensboro (96 degrees yesterday), we might have to go calling on this business with iced-tea in arm so that we can rest a spell and enjoy the beauty of these flowers. How is your luck with hydrangeas? We're headed to this website to learn a little more about them.

T is for Tate Street

Today is ABC Wednesday and "T" is for Tate Street. Tate Street is located on the eastern edge of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and just west of Greensboro College. It has never gained the notoriety of Chapel Hill's Franklin Street as UNCG and Greensboro College, combined, don't approach the student population at Chapel Hill (approx. 17,000; 1,200; and 29,000 respectively). However, owners of businesses like Tate Street Coffee and Sisters Jewelry have worked tirelessly to bring special music events, art exhibits, and street festivals-- good, clean family fun-- to Tate Street. Weatherspoon Gallery and Aycock Auditorium also attract people from all walks of life to the area.

Tate Street is located in College Hill, a revitalized neighborhood that became an historic district in 1980. According to the city's website, the city and the College Hill residents have collaborated to refurbish and revitalize its streets (reference here). If you are interested in learning more about the College Hill Plan, read here.

We selected 309 Tate for our "T" entry today because, Greensboro Daily Photo is a member of the city daily photo community and we like to participate in the first-of-the-month theme day. For June, the theme is "under construction." 309 Tate, like College Hill, is under (re)construction. As can be seen by the ladder, the new porch ceiling boards and the paint-in-process, 309 Tate is undergoing a facelift. Speaking of "under construction" one has only to drive by South Mendenhall and Spring Garden and you will see a giant student housing compound under construction in College Hill. We only hope there will always be room for single family dwellings in this neighborhood.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants of CDP's  "Under Construction" theme day!

S is for Summit Avenue

Today is "S" day on ABC Wednesday and we've hit the "S" lottery with the symmetrical, Sigmund Sternberger house on Summit Avenue!  Sigmund Sternberger moved to Greensboro from South Carolina in 1899 when he was twelve years old. In 1926 (at the age of 39), Mr. Sternberger built the above house at 712 Summit Avenue. This green-tiled, Mediterranean-styled brick house was considered a masterpiece of construction in its day. Mr. Sternberger lived there with his sister, Rosa, and her husband, R. Mack Williams. Mrs. (Sternberger) Williams managed the home and oversaw the care of the home inside and out, including the formal and informal gardens. Still standing today, behind the house, is a brick carriage house and another small outbuilding that looks like it might have originally been a kitchen. Today, other than this landscaping visible in the front, not much remains of the original gardens. The interior woodwork is intact. Unfortunately, the furnishings do not do the house justice.

The Aycock/Summit Avenue residential neighborhood was founded in 1895 and developed by the Sternbergers, along with their textile-mill, business partners the Cones. The neighborhood was conveniently located between downtown Greensboro, the textile mills, and the thriving mill communities built for employees. Mr. Sternberger lived at 712 Summit Avenue until his death in 1964. The family did not want the house to be torn down to become office buildings or retail space, like the properties around it. To ensure that the home be preserved, it was a memorial gift to the United Arts Council of Greensboro by the Sigmund Sternberg Foundation in 1971. The home was placed on the national register of historic places in 1993. Today, it is studio and teaching space for local artists. 

The Sternberger home is well-documented (read here). If you are interested in history and biographies of Greensboro, Sigmund Sternberger was an amazing citizen whose philanthropic legacy and financial commitment to the arts continues today into the 21st century (here). School students in Greensboro would be well-served to learn about the life of Sigmund Sternberger. Even though his father and uncle (Herman and Emanuel Sternberger) founded Revolution Cotton Mill Corporation, young Sigmund worked his way up from errand boy through just about every job to treasurer and eventually to director. No job was too menial for the young Sternberger!  Also, his commitment to civic, charitable, and religious organizations was impressive. As an example, he served at treasure for Temple Emanuel for 47 years.

To see our A-R selections, go here. Also note that the house above is only about a block from the Bessemer Curb Market.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia and the Patriotic Barn

Today is Friday, the 13th. If just the sound of that day and date together has you shaking, you suffer from paraskevidedatriaphobia. The concept is cultural, as in some areas of the world (Spain Latin America, Romania, and Greece) Tuesday the 13th is to be feared. In general, 13 is a number often avoided in the USA; however, if you notice, our flag has 13 stripes, representing our 13 original colonies, an instance of a positive association with the number. Did you know that there are 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum?  On the dollar bill, there are 13 stars above the eagle, 13 levels of the truncated pyramid, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 arrows held by the eagle, and 13 bars on the shield? So, in a way, 13 is a patriotic number!

This patriotic barn is an example of the little surprises awaiting at many turns in the road throughout rural North Carolina. Located in the incorporated part of Summerfield, Guilford County, this barn predates the population explosion in North Carolina at the end of the 20th century. This once mighty structure is one wind storm away from ruin; however, while standing, it reflects the patriotism of the owner and is eye candy to photographers. This is one of our "you know you're a local if" shots. You know you're a local if you've driven past this structure!

Between natural disasters, tumbing economics, and political issues, the world has been swishing with change. We suspect that Americans aren't the only ones feeling patriotic. If you are flying your flag today, wherever you are in the world, please provide us with a link! We're sharing this photo with Skywatch Friday where we all display that patch of blue above our head with pride. HAPPY Friday, the 13th! Happy weekend!

Q is for Quaker Run Drive

Today is ABC Wednesday and "Q" is for Quaker Run Drive. This house, one of 27 on the street, is located in the Quaker Run neighborhood off of Horse Pen Creek and New Garden Roads. The street names-- Meeting House Drive, Friendsview Drive, Shaker Drive-- evoke Greensboro's Quaker heritage. Throughout the 1990's, many homes in Greensboro were built in a similar architectural style with hardy board exterior like the one above. In this neighborhood, residents spend considerable effort keeping their lawns and flower beds healthy. Not everyone, however, has an attitude fit for a yellow house. Living in a yellow house, could one be anything but cheerful?

Since only 21 streets in Greensboro start with a "Q", let's dim the screen and roll them out: Quad Oak, Quail Canyon, Quail Cove, Quail, Quail Oak, Quail Ridge Ct., Quail Ridge Dr., Quaker Landing Ct., Quaker Landing Road, Quaker Run, Quate, Queen Alice, Queen Beth, Queen Victoria, Queenanne, Queens, Queensberry, Quick Silver, Quincemoor, Quincy, and Quinlan. Well, its time to grab the camera and map and start visiting "R" streets. Visit our A-P streets here and leave a comment if you have an "R" request!

One More for the Road

We just can't get yesterday's featured street, Pamlico Drive, out of our head. This photo was taken in front of the white fence in yesterday's yard across the street (here). Can you imagine being in this white house and looking out to see these flowers in all their glory? Can you imagine tending your roses and looking up to see that crisp-as-linen white house? Reciprocal beauty is the ultimate in neighborly love. You keep your home and garden beautiful for me and I'll do the same for you. 

In preparing a second post on Pamlico Drive, the play on words, "One More for the Road" came to mind. Granted, the song is a sad saloon song; however, it evokes the beauty of the voices of Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, and Billy Holiday. The song was originally written for the 1943 movie, The Sky's the Limit, a contemporary of this little, white house, built in 1947. Do you think maybe a soldier returning from World War II, bought this house for his new family with money loaned to him through the G.I. Bill? 

Hats off to Pamlico, and, one more for the road!

Going, Going, Soon-to-be Gone

Across the street from yesterday's "Martha Stewart green" church/house on Horse Pen Creek Road, you see the following: an approximately 1,200 square ft. flat-roofed, square, brick house, sitting on a little over an acre of land-- prime real estate. The property recently sold and has the BIG Z in the yard. Of course the BIG Z stands for the zoning meeting that must take place to rezone this house for another purpose. We'd love to know what it will become. Properties on Horse Pen Creek are being rezoned right and left for businesses, schools, churches, apartment complexes, sports facilities, and even a fire station.

Perhaps we should go to the zoning hearing on May 9th at 5:30 pm to learn more about Case Z-11-05-002. Perhaps we should just wait and see what this duck-out-of-water will become. In the words of Doris Day, "Que será, será/whatever will be will be" which, coincidentally was first published in the year this house was built, 1956. If you've got 2 minutes, follow the link and watch Day's peppy performance, here. In the meantime, we're going to observe that glorious tree with the big hole in it and to the right of the house. Surely, at night, when traffic dies down, a raccoon family hops out to peruse the neighborhood! Anybody got a critter relocation service?

O is for Olive Street

It is ABC Wednesday and "O" is for Olive Street,  located in historic Fisher Park just east of Elm Street. The residential part of Olive Street stretches between Wendover Avenue and Isabel Street and has 22 homes. North of Wendover, near Moses Cone Hospital, Olive Street has mostly medical offices.

The houses on Olive Street and the surrounding cross streets exude the enthusiasm of the individual residents. For example, many of the Fisher Park families are wild about gardening, with azaleas and irises everywhere. The family in the above home is passionate about the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Not only do they fly a Tarheel flag, their Mercedes-Benz is painted Carolina blue! We North Carolinians take our university loyalty very seriously as exemplified by this Fisher Park family. 

Fisher Park is one of Greensboro's early 20th century neighborhoods. We've featured it several times over the last three years. See one of the neighborhood's most famous homes, here. The First Presbyterian Church is another great Fisher Park landmark. Finally, to view A-N of The Greensboro ABC Street Project visit here. Stop back next week for "P" and feel free to make suggestions for P-Z! 

 

 

M is for Morehead Avenue

ABC Wednesday has rolled around once again and "M" is for Morehead Avenue. Morehead splits near Fulton and Spring Garden Streets downtown. This well-maintained, pink, Victorian house is located in College Hill at the south side of Morehead near Fulton Street, just across from what formerly was Newman Machine Company.

The street is named for John Motley Morehead, the 29th Governor of North Carolina.  Some consider him the "father" of modern North Carolina. After his term in office, he returned to his home in Greensboro, the Blandwood Mansion, located very near Morehead Avenue. You may also recognize the name Morehead from the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program. According to The University of North Carolina's website, it is the oldest, most prestigious merit scholarship program in the United States. It was established in 1945, "inspired by the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University (and it) provides an undergraduate experience without peer." It is a four-year, four-summer, fully-funded scholarship. 

The letter "M" is popular for street names in Greensboro. Two hundred and ninety seven streets start with the letter "M" and they are spread throughout the city. Mcknight Mill Road has 239 homes; East Montcastle Drive has 274; and, if you consider East and West Market Street together, with 304, it wins for most houses. See some of our Market Street posts (near airport and West Market Street UMC). If you are new to GDP, see the A-L properties here.  Thank you for your visit to GDP today. If you are local, try to visit Morehead Avenue. If you have a child in high school, start investigating the Morehead-Cain!

Hail Mary (Ave Maria) on North Church Street

This statue of Mary is found on Church Street near Pisgah Church Road. We have driven past it for years but have never stopped to ask the homeowners about this front-yard shrine. The yard decor dates from a pre-covenant era in Greensboro when people showed more individualism in their yards. This yard is across from what we like to call the world's tiniest house (here) and very near Eternal Life Baptist Church (here). Yard decor can be very polarizing. Let's hope the Virgin Mary brings out the best in neighbors and passers-by.

Some Christian religions place more emphasis on the Virgin Mary than others.  While, likely, the keepers of this shrine are Catholic, today, we offer this Church Slavonic version of the Hail Mary (Ave Maria) prayer: "Theotokos Virgin, rejoice, Mary full of grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for though hast borne Christ the Saviour, the Deliverer of our souls" (from here). Some of the language of the prayer comes from the Gospel of Luke.

If you want to hear a fabulous version of Ave Maria, listen below to this one by eleven-year old Jackie Evancho from Pittsburgh, PA. Can you believe this perfect, angelic, mature voice comes from a young girl........ Ave Maria was inspired by the woman depicted in the simple plaster statue in the yard above.

 

L is for Lakeview Street

Today is ABC Wednesday and "L" is for Lakeview Street, a small street with only seven houses in the Westerwood neighborhood of Greensboro. Developed in the 1920's, Westerwood was one of Greensboro's first planned neighborhoods. The tree-lined streets have many charming details: sidewalks, granite curbs, and well-thought-out landscaping. Alleyways  were built to accommodate home deliveries of coal, milk, and ice. The bungalows and homes in Westerwood have unique character and architectural details like the roof in the photo above. The close proximity to Greensboro College and the downtown business district add to Westerwood's charm.

Yesterday, we were driving around Westerwood to assess the damage from the windstorm the night before. On nearby Lake Drive, a large tree was uprooted. As we continued up the hill, approaching Lakewood Street, the sun came out and the budding azaleas were glowing in the late afternoon light. It was as if this home were an untouched oasis surrounded by a sea of broken tree limbs. We just had to share its beauty with you and we hope your home was spared.

Greensboro has 224 streets starting with the letter "L."  Lawndale Drive tips the scales with 234 single family homes. However, we did not select Lawndale for this Wednesday's  "L" since we've featured it many times before (as examples: a unique home here, a business here, an artist here, the science center here, a church here, a holiday display here,). If you want to see GDP's A-K for ABC Wednesday, visit here!

By the Shores of Lake Euphemia

Yeserday, we featured the Morton House in Hamilton Lakes. If you stand in their back yard and look southeast across Lake Euphemia, you will be looking at this structure. It is located in the common area of Hamilton Lakes where residents stroll and interact. From above, the rock and mortar structure has the appearance of an amphitheater.  Surely, little children are convinced that trolls and fairies live in the grotto and, it must be an amazing place for teenagers to socialize. We'd love to know who built the stone structure AND who named the lake after the Great Martyr Euphemia (read about her here).

If you are local, you might be interested in knowing that "Hamilton Lakes is a large  neighborhood park with over 60 acres of recreational opportunities. The natural wooded area is filled with trails, and has a stream and a playground on the northern end of the park" (GSO Parks & Rec). Bird watchers love this area year-round as it is reputed to have a wide variety of birds from Eastern Screech Owls to Yellow Bellied Sapsuckers. According to Denise Burnette of the Carolina Bird Club, spring is a great time to view neo-tropical migratory birds at Hamilton Lakes. Denise has written an informative article about the birding highlights of Hamilton Lakes (here).  

By the Shores of Lake Euphemia..........

 

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.

"I" is for Isaac's Place

For ABC Wednesday, "I" is for Isaac's Place, a short street with 56 houses that begins at Pisgah Church Road, across from Mt. Pisgah Church. Isaac's Place parallels Battleground (near Earthfare) and ends at Martinsville Road near Rice Toyota. This hidden gem of a street is within walking distance to Country Park and the Greenway. Houses on the street range from new construction to older homes like the above home that remind us of the days when Battleground Avenue was a little more rural. This country-looking yard has mature, budding trees and yellow forsythia blooms welcoming spring. The above property even has a raised-bed garden. By late spring, it will really be hidden from the street. This home also comes with neighbors who watched with a concerned look when we were photographing. Hurray for diligent, alert neighbors! It is hard to believe that this well-maintained, rustic retreat is one just house away from Battleground Avenue. 

As we considered "I" for our alphabet street series, we only had 36 streets to choose from. Other residential "I" streets include Independence Road (in Kirkwood) and Immanuel Road (near Hunter Elementary School) with 84 and 113 homes respectively. 

'H' is for Hobbs Road

Today is ABC Wednesday and 'H' is for Hobbs Road. The brick, colonial house in the photo is typical of the houses on Hobbs and and is actually the first house on Hobbs as it begins at Beverly Place near Friendly Center. Far from a straight line, Hobbs winds through the city; it is the road that grew and grew and now measures 4.2 miles. As Greensboro's borders changed, Hobbs got extended. Crossing over Friendly, Holden, Westridge, Jefferson, past Temple Emanuael, the American Hebrew Academy, and Kathleen Clay Library, Hobbs becomes Garden Lake Drive once it crosses New Garden. Hobbs has so much to share with the Greensboro. David Caldwell Park and Interpretive Museum, Tanger Bicentennial Garden, and The Bogg Garden are all located there.

While Hobbs is a somewhat busy road, most of its houses are placed comfortably back from the street. Of all 246 streets in Greensboro beginning with the letter 'H,' Hobbs has the most houses: 231. Last year, we featured the Easter Bunny's house on Hobbs and, if you are interested, here are our previous ABC Wednesday offerings. Thanks for reading folks; we're out of the office planning for 'I' and 'J.'

"F" is for Friendly Avenue

Today is ABC Wednesday when we share a street a week. This Wednesday and "F" is for Friendly Avenue.

Friendly Avenue begins and ends with Market Street. Near NCA&T University and Murrow Blvd., Market Street splits off into Market and East Friendly. At Elm Street, it becomes West Friendly and continues all the way out to the airport where, just past Chimney Rock Road and Old Friendly, it merges into Market Street again. Along the way, there are 698 homes, making Friendly Avenue the most residential street in Greensboro.

The house above is located on the narrow part where Market and Friendly create a little island of houses just west of UNCG. The roofline of this house has a bungalow/Asian appearance. The mixture of wood and granite provides a glimpse of what residential Greensboro looked like in the 1920's and 1930's. 

Friendly Avenue has been mentioned frequently on GDP, particularly in the Guilford College area. Given its importance to the city, its link to Guilford College, and the fact that is has so many homes and businesses, Friendly deserves recognition. After all, what would Greensboro be without it? Unfriendly? We can't imagine! Out of the 200+ streets that start with the letter "F," today,  we celebrate Friendly!  If you want to follow our weekly parade of streets, start here. 

"E" is for Elm Street

Today's letter on ABC Wednesday is "E" and, as we are featuring A-Z streets this round, we felt compelled to feature Elm Street. Elm Street is the heart and pulse of Greensboro. It separates east from west and runs almost the entire length of the city. In the southern extreme, Elm merges with Eugene St.; to the north, at Lake Jeanette, it becomes Bass Chapel Road. Along the way, Elm Street passes through downtown, Fisher Park, Irving Park, State Street, Cornwalis, Cone Boulevard, Buffalo Lake, New Irving Park, and Pisgah Church Road.  Of all 138 streets starting with the letter "E," Elm has the most homes listed: 374.

The house in the above photo is located at 1007 North Elm Street, at the northern end of Fisher Park, just south of the Wendover Avenue overpass. The house was completed in 1919 for the John M. Galloway family. It was designed by Greensboro architect Harry Barton and constructed under the supervision of Andrew Schlosser, Greensboro's premier stonemason (G.H.Fripp, p. 58). Noteworthy are 1) Schlosser's fine stonework; 2) the chocolate mortar and 3) the ballroom on the top floor of the home.

1007 North Elm provides a glimpes of how the street looked before it became commercialized. Today, these older homes are mostly offices of professionals, organizations, or locally-owned, small businesses. The sculpture in the foreground was done by Frank Holder whose dance training echoes in the sculpture's movement.

D is for Dogwood Drive

D is for Dogwood Drive, a residential street that parallels Friendly Avenue and intersects Holden Road just south of Christ United Methodist Church. Dogwood is one and a third miles long, starting at Beverly Place and ending at Woodvale Drive. Most of the intersecting street names are related to the theme of woods and trees. Out of the 172 streets in Greensboro starting with the letter "D", Dogwood Drive has 135 homes, second only to Drake Road with total number of properties. Drake Road, in the Southern end of the county and where Southern High School is located, has 142 homes.

If Dogwood Drive has one best attribute, it is the residents' efforts to enhance their front porches and front-yard gathering areas. Adirondack chairs, expanded porches, and benches invite neighbors to stop and chat on this "walking" street. We selected the above Dogwood Drive house for today's post because it exemplifies the street's drive for enhanced curb appeal. Recently, the front porch of this older home got quite a facelift. The bungalow-style columns and wide, winding sidewalk beckon.

The street is named for North Carolina's state flower, the dogwood, not for the dogs that walk their owners up and down the street. Recently, we spotted two whippets and two Jack Russell terriers showing off their owners as they socialized with neighbors. This spring, the neighborhood will be brimming with dogwood trees and azalea bushes. ABC Wednesday, "D" is for Dogwood.

A is for Arlington Street

Arlington Street is the western border for the Southside neighborhood of Greensboro. According to public records, Arlington Street has 37 properties on it, two of which is are historic homes: the William Fields House at 447 Arlington and nearby Kesler House at 437. Arlington Street begins at Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive downtown and ends at Butner Street, just before the Elm/Eugene confluence.

This house, located at 631, while less glamorous than the historic homes, is typical of the houses in the section south of Lee Street. Although humble in size, the house is JUMBO in enthusiasm. This may well be the purplest house in Greensboro. Pampas grass grown on the border of the yard also defines the property.

For our ABC Wednesday group (Round 8), we're featuring a street-a-week in Greensboro that begins with the given letter of the week. So many streets that begin with the letter "A" are on our list to photograph. Some, we have done already (see, for example, Arcadia here).  Arlington was chosen, partially for convenience as we were at the MLK parade in the neighborhood on Monday. However, this street has been a part of the fabric of Greensboro since the 1800's. Can you guess how many streets in Greensboro begin with the letter "A"?  We will tell you that five streets that begin with "A" are listed as having only one property. They include: Addison Point Drive, Airport Road, Albert Pick Road, Allerton Circle and Aspen Drive. The "A" street with the most residences is the lengthy Alamance Church Road, with 296 listings. Now, for your office trivia, taa daaa, in Greensboro, we have 182 streets that begin with the letter A. That's a half a year of a photo a day of streets that begin with the letter "A"!