Greensboro Daily Photo

This Old House... 2101 Oak Ridge Road

2101 Oak Ridge in Oak Ridge, also Highway 150, is just northwest of Greensboro. The two story, two bedroom 1 bath house is 1,300 square feet. The small lot house size are not impressive statistics. However, the most notable point of interest is that it was built in 1863 during the Civil War. This old house must have so many stories to tell. Embraced by bamboo, the house has an air of mystery and intrigue.

Nearby Oak Ridge Military Academy was build in 1852. a little over 10 years before this house. At that time, the Oak Ridge area was pretty remote and undeveloped and Greensboro had only been a town for about 50 years. There are several historic homes in Oak Ridge from that era; some even have their own historic markers. The above humble house, at the corner of Linville Road, doesn't have a marker and doesn't even seem to have much about it available online. There are tax records and a mention of updates in 1963. The usual real estate pages doesn't even mention the last time it sold. Could it be that this old house has remained in the same family? If you know about its past, please let it know. If you know about its future, we'd be interested in knowing that, too. Happy Saturday. What adventures await?

Thank You, Postal Workers

Thank you, poster workers is a little sign in the front yard of a house at the corner of Mayflower Drive and Wright Avenue. This part of town, just west of UNCG is one of those walking routes for carriers and it is so nice to feel appreciated. This neighborhood, near West End/College Park and Sunset Hills Historic areas,  is very walkable with sidewalks and plenty of shade trees. While the above view looks very summery, soon, fall colors will be coming out on this street and those crepe myrtle will lose the pink flowers and the leaves will turn bright yellow.There is a lot of history in this neighborhood and property values are soaring. People value that cozy, neighborhood feel, and are willing to put major investments into expanding and upgrading the living space in these homes. 

Do you get mail delivered to your door daily? If you were a postal worker, would you want a walking route? To be sure, it would be nice to be thanked! Let's all make an effort to thank people and show appreciation... in Greensboro and beyond! Our thank you is to you for being a loyal reader. Happy Friday! 

Black Lives Matter

The signage at the corner of South Eugene Street and West Gate City Boulevard can be a lot to take in. There are street signs, billboards, signs for businesses, and the the signs crafted by the Forge Makerspace on Lewis Street. The BLACK LIVES MATTER sign is the latest in the series. The Forge is a non-profit makerspace that started in 2012, incorporated in 2013, and then found a space on Lewis Street. Their building is actually the green one visible from the above vantage point. The FORGE gives classes and workshops and provide machines for members to make things on. If you want to hone your maker skills, there are plenty of people around to give you pointers, too. We're betting that if you had a good idea for the next iteration of the sign, in all white capital letters, they would consider forging it! Happy Thursday!

Halloween Is in the Air

Greensboro has quite a few houses that go all out for Halloween. The above photo was taken on Wright Avenue, between the two-story White House (1609) and a small brick house (1611). The White House, built in 1944 is multiple occupancy as it is right across the street from UNCG. It is not entirely clear who has done the decorating, but the nearby parked car is decorated, too. In this era when so much has been cancelled, it is fun to walk through neighborhoods and see who has what decorations out.

The first day seems a little early for Halloween, but not if that is your favorite holiday and you have been waiting all year for it to come around. By day, this scene is not too scary; but, imagine stumbling upon this doll at dusk- or, perhaps bumping in to it! It is looking like some fall events are still on the calendar. The annual fall and Halloween themed event, Goulash, by  Greensboro Youth Council, is still scheduled by Saturday, October 24th. Keep up with the event, here. Also, it appears that Casa Azul will host their 2020 Day of the Dead fall celebration this year. Stay posted by visiting here. Regardless of what happens between now and the end of October, you can bet fall themed things will be hanging in trees and sticking in yards.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL from DOWNTOWN GREENSBORO

Happy first day of fall. The above scene is of the start of the east side of the 500 block of South Elm Street. The mural on the side of the building celebrates Downtown Greensboro, with bright green as the dominant color. Downtown Greensboro has added so many murals and street art over the past few years. The above mural is one of the newest.

If you notice, the trees in the photo are starting to show color. Before you know it, they will be dropping their lovely leaves. However, for the next few weeks, strolling Elm Street will really have a feel of autumn. Mullled cider and pumpkin spice will start appearing on food and beverage menus. Cheesecakes by Alex will have cheesecakes in fall flavors.  Stores that sell clothing have some great fall sweaters. One way to keep up with some of the happenings downtown is to look for the hashtag #MYDGSO. Have a great Tuesday.

Available

If you've driven on West Market Street lately, chances are, you've seen this strip of about 6bbusinesses in the 700 block, just down from Plants & Answers. The businesses are located near Moore Music, Greensboro College, the Bryan Y, and Weaver Academy.  This space for rent is an end unit. It seems like this area has a lot of potential, if the right business goes in. However, it could be that once people get this close to downtown that they focus on their destination and not what they need along the way.

What could you imagine there?  The strip already has a frame shop, a hair salon, a tattoo parlor, and a convenience store.  It is fun to dream and imagine about what businesses go where. Happy Monday and tomorrow is the first day of autumn. We are starting to fall it in the air! Could be a good time to start a business!

Glenwood Presbyterian

Glenwood Presbyterian Church is located in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood at 1205 Glenwood Avenue. The church is due south of Gate City Boulevard and UNCG.  According to the cornerstone, the church was established in 1916, and rebuilt in 1943. The education building on the left was erected in 1960. The lawn is beautifully maintained and the lot is ample, the church is right across the street from Morris Farlow Park, adding to the open feel of the property.

We're sure the church has a lot of interesting history, and one curious thing is that on the northwest corner of the property is a tombstone of an E. Gray, son of W.G. & Tracy Smith who died just before his third birthday on January 23rd, 1923. It appears to be the only grave on the property. Another curious aspect of the property is that there is a set of stone stairs that don't appear to lead anywhere. We're betting they were part of the property that was once the Glenwood Park Sanitarium. The Greater Glenwood Neighborhood Association has done a nice job of maintaining and sharing some of the neighborhood's history (see here). If Glenwood Presbyterian has maintained written down any of its 104 year history, it would be wonderful if they would share it online. Happy Sunday and enjoy this cool, fall-like weather.

Trains in the Gate City...

Greensboro is known as the Gate City because of all of the trains that used to come through town. There were several routes going east to west and north to south and it was known as a gateway town. People compare the Greensboro of yesterday, with all of the rail traffic, to the Atlanta airport today. By 1890, there were over 60 trains a day coming through town. (reference and more, here).

Today's photo is South Elm Street as the train was crossing yesterday at 3:50 p.m. The train was a long one hauling a little bit of everything, including Fex Ex truck cargo. For pedestrians and cars that don't want to wait, they can always go around and underneath on McGee. It is charming to stand near the tracks and see what kind of cars and cargo are on the train. Also, if you look between the cars, you can see the Lincoln Financial/JP Building. There is something intriguing about rail transport. If you are ever looking for a fun weekend adventure, consider taking a day trip on the Amtrak passenger train. Happy Saturday!