Located in Summerfield on Highway 150, also known as Oak Ridge Road, at the corner of Deboe Road, is the old Saunders Inn. It was a place where travelers or people relocating could stay, get a good meal, and keep their horse in the outbuildings. In the early 1800's, when Sydney Porter was relocating to Guilford County, he lodged here and actually stayed on to teach innkeeper Hezekiah Saunder's children*. Fast forwarding to 1862, this teacher's grandson, William Sydney Porter, would be born in Guilford County and grow up to become Greensboro's most celebrated writer, O.Henry.
The above property, a simple country home from the 19th century, could be transformed into a splendid piece of literary history. Imagine being able to attend a retreat for writers in a place with connections to O.Henry. The barn on the property was torn down not too long ago; so, it is hard to tell what the future has in store for this weary old place. Even in this state of decay, it remains beautiful. Reading Summerfield town council notes, it appears that this property will be compromised by the widening of Highway 150 as well as development. **
Today is ABC Wednesday and this round on Greensboro Daily Photo, our theme is "Alphabet Soup," a serving of whatever comes our way from week to week. We learned of this property from the man who sold us a book about O.Henry's life. B is for Boardinghouse, bed & breakfast, located in northeast Guilford County.
*reference and more about Summerfield, here.
** read more here in Summerfield's Town Council Notes from 10/29/2013. It is really interesting tracking the change to our county and seeing how it unfolds.
a nice old building
ROG, ABCW
Posted by: Roger Green | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 01:52 PM
Oh, I sure hope it gets renovated and not torn down! It's HISTORY, for heaven's sake!
leslie
abcw team
Posted by: leslie | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 03:09 PM
oh no, i hope someone will save it...we lost an old house down the street not long after i moved here...always meant to take a picture of it and then it was gone...now there's no sign it was ever there :(
Posted by: Tbreese823 | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 03:29 PM
Love your painterly capture! Yes, it's good to preserve history!
Posted by: jesh stg | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 04:28 PM
Even in its current state, it exudes dignity. Kudos on the light you captured.
Posted by: Oakland Daily Photo | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 08:51 PM
We wish the inn would be renovated; however, it would be a dream to have it returned to its original splendor.
Posted by: Janis & David | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 09:47 PM
Good old structure!!
Posted by: Nevin | Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 10:22 PM