Greensboro Daily Photo

Christman Building, Formerly Known As Cascade Saloon

Since we were already downtown yesterday, let's stay another day, at the railroad tracks just north on Barnhardt Street on Elm. Notice how the tracks flank the Christman building, which was known formerly as the Cascade Saloon. Christman has worked hard to maintain the integrity of the exterior of the building, while completely renovating the interior. There is a lot of history in the buildings south of the railroad tracks; none of them existed prior to the 1890s. The Christman building at 408 South Elm reflects the common look of the brick buildings built at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century.

This building, constructed in 1896, is a three-story Italianate building with granite lintels and and sills. It began life as a saloon and then became Clegg Grocery, and now has been completely structurally reinforced. Let's hope it lasts well into the next century- and beyond.  If you want to read a very informative history and description of downtown Greensboro, this government document, a National Register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form for the city of Greensboro is well worth bookmarking.

Downtown Fun Along Barnhardt Street

Today's photo leads us downtown, along the railroad tracks on South Elm Street at Barnhardt Street. The three people in the above photo were en route for a photo shoot back in the parking lot between Barnhardt and Lewis Street. Downtown Greensboro is a great place for photo shoots, whether one is shooting in color or black and white. Monochromatic photos like this one put more emphasis on lines and shapes. The triangular shape formed by the railroad tracks leads the eye to the horizon line, near the destination of the walkers.

To the right is the Jamison Building (which was recently for sale). This one-story, concrete-building was built in 1947 and it is the third on the site. The two previous buildings burned.* It will be interesting to see what kind of businesses open here. To be sure, it is a prime location, highly visible. So much has changed in this back area, just west of Elm Street and perhaps, the best is yet to come. Let's stay tuned!

 

*Reference.

South Battleground & Bellemeade Area

If you've walked along South Battleground and Bellemeade Street in downtown Greensboro, you've noticed the changes. The above photo was taken at Keto, just being the Carroll & Bellemeade Apartments.  The Zeto wine and specialty food shop just got a built in clientele with the addition of the apartments in their backyard. They have really brightened up the entrance and the signage is a stand-out feature. This part of town is looking very crisp and inviting. Of course, we are always happy when we can sneak in a view of the JP building, or, as the time and temp light on top remind us, the LFG- Lincoln Financial Group. Just think, those who live in the apartments to the right are only a block away from Zeto, Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, LeBauer Park, First National Bank Field, and more.

If we keep adding to this post, we just may convince ourselves to downsize an move to town! Happy Saturday! If time permits, head to town and explore!

Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street

Today, we're sharing another photo of our downtown excursion on Memorial today. Today's photo is of Chez Genèse at 616 South Elm Street. Chez Genèse is a French cafe that employs people with intellectual and development disabilities. They serve breakfast and lunch. Here is the menu if you would like to see the options. It is hard to believe they've already been open three years. You may remember when Charlie and Ruth held their community dinners down here. While they've move on to Missouri, the current owners try to maintain that same feeling of being with community while you are eating here. The atmosphere is relaxed, but lively at the same time. There is some seating outside in front of the café.

Monday was pretty peaceful and, if you look closely, you can see people indoors as well as outside. The two sedans market out front really add to the scene. Let's hope the restaurant remains successful for a very long time! They do so much to help out the community. Happy Wednesday!

Memorial Day 2021 (Day After)

Happy Memorial Day 2021. Yesterday, we were on an urban walk downtown and so were these three young men. The guy in the middle is a recruiter originally from Detroit. When we saw them, they were in the 500 block of South Elm Street. We took this photo, and they asked if I would take a photo with their phone, so they could have a copy. They seemed to be enjoying their venture, which they actually said was a hike. It was so nice walking around town. Many stores were closed; however, ssome were open. After about noon, Elm Street started getting a little more traffic. It was so peaceful earlier in the day and nice to see how clean the streets were.

So many people from Greensboro either head to the mountains or the beach for holidays. With Greensboro being in the middle of the state, we are about equal distance from the mountains and sea. However, just like the guys in the photo, we opted for spending the day pounding the pavement. How did you spend Memorial Day? Happy Tuesday, happy June!

 

Downtown Is Getting Lively!

Downtown was busy this past Saturday afternoon, and at 4:00 pm, parts of Elm Street were closed so that pedestrians could have some fun! Are you feeling a little bit like Rip Van Winkle, going somewhere and seeing things that are completely new? Pre March 2020, it seemed that LimeBike (now Lime) electric scooters were everywhere. Now, Blue Duck Micro-mobility is sweeping the streets. It is comforting that most of the established downtown businesses survived the pandemic year and seem to be doing well now. These scooters are especially popular with the younger crowd. Also, going strong on Saturday was Brew Peddlers pedal pub trolley.

Another fun thing about downtown this past weekend was the diversity of demographic; people of diverse ages and ethnicities seemed to be enjoying our town equally. The weather was in the 80s, the sun was strong, and rain was nowhere in sight. The weather was perfect for all of the schools that had proms this past weekend. Let's this trajectory of reopening and events happening in person continues for a very long time. Who wants to try out a Blue Duck with us?

West Market Street UMC

Today's photo is a view of the iconic Lincoln Financial Corporation building and the West Market Street United Methodist Church. It was taken from the northwest corner of the Governmental Plaza, near the Dr. George Simkins statue. The JP Building, now LFC. At one time, it was the tallest building between Atlanta and Washington D.C. Especially with the time and temperature at the top, it stands as a beacon in Greensboro. To the left in the photo, you see the south side of the West Market Street United Methodist Church. This vibrant, dynamic church offers traditional and contemporary services. They have something for everyone! Their music services are quite impressive. Dating back to 1873, West Market Street UMC is one of the oldest churches in Greensboro. Their stained glass windows are stunning and the sound of the Dobson-Rosales organ is memorable. There are approximately 2,000 members at West Market Street UMC, and do, if you are looking for a church that offers many programs and services for its members, this may well be the church for you. 

Fortunately, the church has an extensive history online. See their timeline and more photos here. Have a happy Sunday, no matter how or where you spend it!

Rainbow Alley... and Reflecting on the Concept

Historically, alleys served a very important purpose. The narrow passageways behind buildings facilitate the delivery and removal of things. They lead to service entrances. They a provide a quick exit. As the weather warms up, alleys have a way of staying cooler longer and providing much needed breezes for the buildings around it. Often they become great public spaces.* Greensboro is not really known for its use of alleys, although with a little intervention by artists, people are starting to take notice. Rainbow Alley, by Gina Franco, starts beside the Biltmore Hotel at West Washington Street and continues behind Scuppernong Books, Jerusalem Market, Deuterman Law, and other businesses. It changes character with the weather. Last week, the shadows cast on a sunny day punctuated the painted stripes. It was as if there were a railroad on the rainbow road.

This alley, and the alley behind Elsewhere Museum in the 600 block of South Elm Street are the two alleys that seem to get the most use in Greensboro.  Let's examine our Greensboro alleys and imagine the possibilities. What alleys exist in Greensboro? Google searches only yield links about the Rainbow Alley and bowling alleys! Is there a list? If you want to orient to the location of the photo, find that JP/LFG clock peeking at you.

 

* Here is a publication for Seattle, WA meant to encourage additional use of alley spaces for the public. Perhaps this initiative is worth considering for Greensboro (#DGSO?).

Greensboro Bound Virtual

Yesterday, on GDP, we celebrated Greensboro's public library system. Today's photo is the window of Scupperonong Books, advertising the Greensboro Bound Virtual Literary Festival begins tomorrow; another example of literary goodness in our community. Greensboro Bound is billed as a festival for "readers, writers, students, academics, and volunteers who are passionate about books, writing, and reading". It is a non-profit organization established in 2017 (reference and more information). The festival is the brainchild of  Steve Colyer and Scuppernong Books owners. The annual festival has hosted many writers, many of whom are known internationally. 

Here is a link to see the list of events and RSVP to attend virtually. Many of the topics are timely and something for everybody across genres from young adult fiction to short stories, poems, cookbooks, crime writing, and more. When community partners, businesses, writers, and volunteers come together, in an event celebrating reading and writing, everyone benefits and the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts! Drop into a session and enjoy!

Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library System

Have you been to a public library lately? Today's photo is of the Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library system, the children's section. It is so beautiful, clean, and inviting. We visited on Saturday and there were just a few people in the whole building. The public library system is one of the few places where anyone and everyone has the right to visit. Truly, it is for the public. They are back to regular hours, yet are still offering curbside pick-up. They are also starting to reinstate special events, although most are still online (see an example, HERE).

The Greensboro Library system was established in 1902. Construction for the Central Branch in the current location began in 1997. Previously, it was located in the building that currently houses the Elon Law School at 201 North Greene Street. That other building was completed in 1960 with the local architect Edward Loewenstein and Gregory Ivy involved in the design. But, this former property is history and the current building is built with the public in mind. We have easy access to all the books and there are plenty of computers to use. Dust off your library card; the amazing world of books is just a swipe away. Happy Tuesday!

United States Post Office and Courthouse

The Unites States Post Office and Courthouse is also known at the L. Richardson Preyer, Jr. Federal Building. It is located on the block between Market Street and Friendly Avenue at Eugene Street. It was built in 1931- 1933 in the Art Deco style. It is five stories tall. The base is Mt. Airy granite and the walls are Indiana limestone. See HERE for more interesting details about the interior and exterior architecture. The interior is also beautiful and we need to get inside to photograph it for you.

Today's photo was taken across the street at the Governmental Plaza. The beautiful spring foliage adds great color to today's photo. The building was built in direct response to the Public Building Act of 1926. Hopefully, there are plans for a centennial celebration. In the meantime, if you are out dodging raindrops this weekend, head downtown to see this beautiful building. It looks fabulous in all weather conditions. To be sure, it looks like if was built to last for centuries!

LOVE Is All Around!

The above photo was taken on Market Street, the road that leads into downtown. LOVE is a piece of art made by Frances P., a student at the Greensboro Day School. How wonderful that LOVE is what you see and think about as you enter our city.  Also in the photo is the Brown Building, Independence Center, and Lincoln Financial Corp. 

A lot of these utility boxes have artwork on them. It can be fun to walk around town and see all of the new artwork, whether  you like visual arts or architecture. For a town of about 300,00 residents, there is plenty to see here!

Dr. George C. Simkins, Jr.

 

Dr. Simkins (1924-2001) was a Greensboro native. By profession, he was a dentist, but he also dedicated his life to the Civil Rights Movement and social justice. For 25 years, Dr. Simkins led the Greensboro branch of the NAACP.  He worked tirelessly for desegregation of Greensboro.  This statue is located on the northwest corner of governmental plaza. The sculptor is Maria J. Kirby Smith. The statue was made possible by the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation.

The day we visited, a couple of young educators were taking selfie’s here at this statue. How encouraging that they were out interacting with a piece of art about an impactful Greensboro social justice figure. If you head down to visit Governmental Plaza now, you will see the plantings on the plaza in full bloom!

GTA Bus On Route #1 Heading East on McGee St

As we were leaving Just Be, yesterday afternoon, bus #782, the #1 West Wendover Avenue GTA bus was heading east on West McGee Street. It is one of the diesel-electric New Flyer XDE40 buses; it is clean, quiet, and a smooth ride. Today is Friday, a good day for taking the bus, and this one goes from Wendover, along Spring Garden, to town. Friday is always a great day to head to downtown Greensboro.

Notice the snappy ad for an ad on this bus and also worth mentioning is the reflection of the 300 block of South Elm Street in the windshield of the bus.  Can you spot the façade of the Green Bean Coffee Shop in the windshield? Everything looks better with a good dose of sunshine, including bus windshields!

Honk if you love Fridays!

100 S Mendenhall St.

This house at the corner of South Mendenhall and Market Street is one of the great historic beauties in College Hill. The above view is the Market Street side, not even the main entrance. However, this time of year, both sides of the house are so beautiful, especially with the trees leafing out, and the sun shining. That red tree looked like it was on fire as we ran past on our mid-day, 5K route yesterday.

In 1980, College Hill was designated the first historic district in Greensboro. In 1993, it was named to the National Register of Historic Places. That designation adds a very special feature to a neighborhood (reference and read more here). The above house is on the northernmost corner of College Hill, quite a welcome into the neighborhood! The colors of the house looked especially beautiful yesterday; they would have been deemed in compliance with the requirements of the historic district.  College Hill was settled in the mid 19th century by people, in many cases, affiliated with nearby Greensboro College. Even though this house is situated on one of the busiest streets leading into downtown Greensboro, when you are there, it is as if you are visiting a bucolic, country estate.

 

Jae-Mar at 102 Barnhardt Street, Just off South Elm

The last time we walked along Barnhardt Street in downtown Greensboro, we noticed that the building that the Jae-Mar Brass & Lamp Company building is for sale and that Jae-Mar is closed. This small, family business was started by James Forster in 1986. If you ever needed a lamp repaired or re-brassed, this was the "go-to" place in Greensboro. It is our hope that the Forsters are either happily retired or they have a new venture in the making. 

Looking on real estate sites, we learned that after being on the market for almost 100 days, the building has a sale pending. The single story, cinder block structure was built in 1949. It looks like it still has lots of life left in it. We will wait with great anticipation to see what it becomes. As the South Elm/Lewis Street area perks back up, 102 Barnhardt should prove to be a great location. If you want a little photo fun, see how many geometric shapes you find in this photo! Happy Wednesday!

South End Brewing Company

South End Brewery in located downtown on Lewis Street in the building that formerly housed Gibbs, and Lewis Street Antiques before that. This part of downtown Greensboro is actually called Southend now. The artwork on the building and the telephone pole is quite eye-catching as you approach from the Lewis Street Parking Lot. 

The business is part of the booming trend to brew beer on site. They actually have their own brewer, William Brown who got his start home brewing and as part of the Battleground Brewing Guild. With all of the local expertise in beer brewing and all of these institutions of higher education, likely, it is a matter of time until one of the colleges or universities offers a degree in fermentation studies. NC State offers a fermentation engineering continuing education course and Appalachian State offers a degree. To our knowledge that opportunity is not currently available in the Triad, but the infrastructure is here!

Stop by South End today and you will probably see lots of people here. We were there on a weekday. Happy Saturday! 

Electric Vehicle Charging Station at Deep Roots Co-op!

The passenger car plug-in market share is growing, albeit, not quite as fast in the USA as in other countries. As an example, the total plug-in new car sales for Norway in 2020 was 74.7% and for the USA, 1.9%. * The electric car revolution is coming to Greensboro, too. It is especially encouraging to find charging stations, like the one here, downtown at Deep Roots Co-op - 600 North Eugene Street. It makes perfect sense for a grocery store co-op to have a charging station. The station is located near the back of  the Deep Roots parking lot, in the grassy median on the Joymonger's side. Just behind the tree in the background, middle, is the Lincoln Financial Group building (to help you orient even more).

While Earth Day is not technically until April 22nd, every day should be Earth Day. Those who have converted to hybrid or total plug-in cars are leading the way on doing their share to reduce their carbon footprint. Happy Tuesday!

* reference and more information HERE. 

Petals Lining East Lake Drive Leading to Music at 100 McIver St!

Today on this first day of April, we're featuring the petals that have fallen to the ground this week, in preparation for the leaves that are about to fill out on the trees. The petals reminds us that spring is the season of rejuvenation and abrupt change. There will be nothing subtle with what is about to happen to the landscape of Greensboro. From this ground level orientation, the eye moves to the horizon line. This view from East Lake Drive leads to Market Street and the UNCG School of Music is the brick building in the background.

The Music Building has been open since 1999- already 22 years ago!  As we enter April, many students will be holding concerts are part of their coursework and requirements for graduation. The concerts will delight you, if you get a chance to attend or to stream. UNCG is being diligent about following pandemic protocols and live concerts have very limited seating. Some can be watched online. Here is a list if you are interested. As a matter of fact, there are two tonight!

 

Mural and Signs of Spring at Barnhardt Street

The above mural is visible from Barnhardt Street and the Lewis Street Parking Lot. This is the area where Piedmont Winterfest is now held. The area looks so pretty with signs of spring and with all of the bright artwork. It is also visible from Spring Garden Street. This past Thursday, late afternoon, the area was eerily quiet. Hopefully, with the weather opening and COVID waning, outdoor events will start making a comeback and the businesses on the perimeter of the parking lot will once again be filled with people. The nearby Boxcar Arcade and SouthEnd Brewing, and other establishments will regain clientele. 

Here is a link to some of the Greensboro Public Art. If you get a chance this weekend, visit downtown and enjoy some of this public art in person. Also, if you know the artist of the above mural, let us know and we'll drop it in today's post! As always, we appreciate you GDP readers!

Quiet Afternoon At Hamburger Square

Hamburger Square is located in the heart of downtown Greensboro. This view is at the corner of South Elm Street and McGee Street. Some days, this very space is filled with people and performers during downtown events. At times, a state is set up here for performers. Yesterday, all was quiet here and sometimes a quiet and peaceful walk is so meaningful, especially after a long day at work. In the distance, you can see the trestle bridge that was recently refurbished and repainted. It sees a lot of train traffic daily. Since 1851, Greensboro has been a big part of the NC Railroad Corridor, the very reason the city is nicknamed The Gate City.

There are many open spaces in Greensboro and remember there are many great shops, restaurants, and other businesses just waiting for you to stop in for a visit. We hope you have a great weekend and that you find time to head downtown. Just in front of the magnolia tree on the left are free-standing DGSO letters. They are perfect for a photo opportunity. No doubt where the photo was taken when you are in front of those letters.

People of Greensboro: Zack & William Matheney

Greensboro is a great city for many reasons. However, the best aspect of all is the people here. Today, we're featuring Zack Matheny and his son William. Zack, President of Downtown Greensboro, is originally from Statesville, NC, came to Greensboro in 1996 to work for Cone Mills. Through that position, he relocated to California. However,Zack e missed North Carolina so much, he returned, deciding to settle down in Greensboro. In addition to raising his family here, Zack's mom has relocated to Greensboro. William is a 4th grader at Our Lady of Grace School. Last Thursday, he got to spend a little time visiting his dad at the office. You can tell by the heartfelt smile on his face that he was enjoying being there.

Zack, through the organization,  Downtown Greensboro.  (#DGSO ) works in so many ways to help downtown Greensboro thrive. He oversees a dedicated team that does everything from helping people find a place to live downtown, start a business, grow their business, and they even plan events to help people make great memories here. We can't wait to see what events get planned for the upcoming months- William is looking forward to them, too!

Happy Tuesday, dear readers!

Downtown Greensboro #DGSOTOGO

Downtown Greensboro Incorporated is an economic development organization. The staff works tirelessly to ensure that downtown businesses, venues, and public spaces have what they need to thrive. This has been no easy task during the pandemic. They also work to see that community events like Fun Fourth and the Festival of Lights operate, as feasible. Their committees include 1) economic development; 2) fundraising; and 3) events and entertanment. The Downtown Greensboro organization was formed in 1997, and has been in their current location (536 South Elm Street) for five years. The above photo features part of the staff, from left to right: Zack Matheny, Joy Ross, Keith Holliday, and Stacy Calfo.

We had the good opportunity to meet everyone when we went into their office yesterday to collect a prize. Downtown Greensboro is currently holding a drawing where people who make purchases of $25 or more downtown have the chance to win $500 and the business where they shopped also wins $500. While we didn't win the cash prize, we won a very generous shopping bag full of t-shirts and items celebrating Greensboro.

Downtown Greensboro does so much for the community; read about them at this link ( which was one of our primary sources for information). And stay tuned, when we were visiting, they had just finished a meeting planning future events for the remainder of 2021. Hats off to this fine group and organization. Let's all show them a little love and head downtown this afternoon. It isn't First Friday, but it is always a Fun Friday-  in downtown Greensboro!

Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear in the 200 Block of South Elm

Oscar Oglethorpe is a great place to get your eyes examined and to purchase trendy (and practical) frames, at a great price. They are located at 226 South Elm Street. So often, when we walk by, the window displays bring us big smiles. The display this month evokes fun in the sun and billowy clouds in the sky. The above photo is only a fraction of the display, but sunny days make the window decorations hard to photograph, due to glare. Last time we featured the window, in 2016, the person who worked this window magic was Tammy Pegram of Tammy Can Re-Design. Surely, Tammy continues to provide these fabulous displays. The 200 block of South Elm has the creative posters at Triad Stage, and across the street from both of these businesses is Thousands O' Prints. They, too, are known for fabulously curated window displays. 

At Oscar Oglethorpe's, not only are the window displays enticing, the staff is super client oriented. They have this way of finding glasses that are perfect for you, helping just enough to steer you in the right direction, without actually making the decision for you. Do call for an appointment, though. They work really hard at keeping you safe from Covid! Get some new glasses or sunglasses, buy a poster, eat some good tacos, get a pedicure, and never have to leave the South 200 block of Elm... unless of course you want to slip around the corner and eat at Liberty Oak, which, by the way, serves breakfast now!

Carolina Theatre 2021

If you follow current events in Greensboro, you may have already known that Carolina Theatre named the auditorium for Betty and Ben Cone, Jr. Here is the Youtube video from 2018, where the announcement was made. As we are reminded in the video, Betty lead the campaign to save the Carolina Theatre back in 1976. Betty and Ben also donated significantly to the Setting the Stage campaign at the theatre a few years ago. That last big campaign really helped with technological amenities and upgrades, keeping the theatre current in the digital age.

It is hard to believe that it has already been almost six years since we interviewed Betty Cone for Greensboro Daily Photo (here). Please read (or reread) that post where we featured her. It really lets you know what Betty has meant to the Greensboro community. Noteworthy is the fact that the photo from 2015 was taken in front of the Carolina Theatre. Betty had suggested we meet there as she had something to do at the theatre. The banner in the above photo is currently hanging at the Greene Street entrance to this Greensboro, North Carolina treasure-  where people have gone for great entertainment since 1927. Thanks to Betty and Ben, the 100th anniversary will be a grand one and the Carolina Theatre should be a great place to enjoy performances well into the next century. 

If you want a quick overview of the contributions  of the whole Cone family in Greensboro, read Jim Schlosser's 2003 article in the News & Record (updated in 2015).  

Former Methodist Cemetery

Good morning, Greensboro!  A reader suggested we feature this sign explaining about a former Methodist cemetery. The sign is located at the 300 block of South Elm Street. The above photo shows a recent version of the sign. If the letters towards the center appear mottled, it looks someone took some red spray paint to them. That is so sad to vandalize a historic marker. When we featured it a few years ago, it had googlie eyes over the "O" on the word "original" resembling a German umlaut. Those googlie eyes are long gone.

This sign tells of a Methodist cemetery formerly located downtown and used for public burials. The unclaimed bodies were moved to Green Hill Cemetery, north of town. It is interesting that this sign would be placed so many blocks north of the location of the cemetery. Over ten percent of Christians in Greensboro are Methodist and Christians comprise the largest faith group in Greensboro. Historic markers are nice, because they help document events and help us remember our past, well into the future. Happy Sunday! It is a great day to drive around and read historic markers and HERE is a map, showing you where they are located.

L Richardson Preyer Federal Building Court House

This photo is of the north side of the L Richardson Preyer Federal Building at the corner of Eugene Street and Friendly Avenue. The entrance/address is on the other side at 324 West Market Street. Actually, however, entrances were built on all four sides. It opened in 1933 as a post office and a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The four-story structure is 60,980 sq ft. Twenty-four homes that were 2,500 square feet would fit inside of the Preyer Building. That is a big building downtown and to be sure, they take care of big business there.

The exterior architecture is Art Deco style and if you are an aficionado of architecture, there is plenty to see here, both inside and out! The foundation is Mt. Airy granite and the exterior is Indiana limestone. It is hard to imagine Greensboro without the Preyer Building. Imagine 1920 in downtown Greensboro, the Lincoln Financial Corp. buildings would not yet have been built, nor the Preyer building. Just that West Market Street United Methodist Church, now snuggled between the two imposing buildings, remain from the original footprint of those city blocks. The 20s and 30s were big times of growth for downtown Greensboro. It is looking like the 2020s and 2030s are times of big growth, too, especially if you consider what the local universities have planned! Happy Thursday... a little nostalgia day on GDP.

Community Garden at First Baptist Church on Friendly Avenue

Yesterday, at First Baptist Church, a group gathered to repair and refresh the raised beds to their community garden. With the church as a backdrop, the volunteers worked for several hours. Due to water runoff, the south side of the wooden frames rots first and they need to be replaced before the first seeds are planted. From Associate Pastor and Music Director Doug Vancil to other church members, volunteers had frames reinforced after a day of manual labor. The beds are planted and cared for by church and community members. The adjacent neighborhood is Westerwood. Soon, it will be time to plant and, before you know it, the watering, feeding, weeding, harvesting, and sharing of produce will begin to unfold. The plots are ready! Winds were strong and temperatures cool yesterday, but the glorious sunshine made working and being outside absolutely glorious.

If you want to hear a sermon from First Baptist, they are available on the website (see HERE). You can also log on to the Facebook page of  First Baptist Church of Greensboro and the service starts at 10:30. First Baptist is a liberal church. If you are looking for an active congregation that has something for everybody, at all ages and stages of life, First Baptist is a great church to consider. From what we hear from members, it is a great religious home. We learned firsthand, yesterday that the music director is kind and inviting. May their congregation and community garden thrive.

Happy Sunday!

Green Is the New Green Bean!

The Green Bean at 341 South Elm Street  has been a downtown Greensboro institution since 2002, and was part of the revitalization os Elm Street. This past October, Amy and Galen Foresman purchased the Green Bean. In the few months they've owned it, they've made changes to the space, giving the interior a facelift. They are determined to revitalize downtown's first coffee shop (of the new millennium) and make it a hub of activity.  The plan to incorporate local art and music into the space. The Foresman family has built deep roots in the Greensboro community and should have the connections to make their dream a reality. Galen Foresman is a philosophy professor at North Carolina A&T State University in the Liberal Studies Department; this should be a perfect background to bring great conversations and discussions to the coffee shop. 

The 300 block of South Elm Street has so many great shops. It is a place you can start your day with a great cup of coffee, shop for a new pair of glasses, search for vintage, handmade, and fair trade items, eat great meals, share a pint with a friend, buy a good book, and then head over to treat yourself to a slice of cheesecake. The Green Bean was closed by the time we made it downtown yesterday; however, we plan to stop by this weekend, enjoy a cup of coffee and check out the vibe. We're wondering if the hot-pink walls with jumbo sharpie graffiti are still in the bathrooms. To be sure, the exterior is inviting and, as for the man and dog, it is wonderful to see people with their canine companions enjoying the city. People make a city and make gray days joyful. Happy Saturday, dear readers. It is a good day for coffee. The Green Bean's new hours are from 7:30 am- 3:00 pm.

Southern Railway Passenger Station

Yesterday, we posted a photo of a railcar. Today, we are featuring the first railway passenger station in Greensboro. We owe much of the early rail traffic through Greensboro to Governor John Motley Morehead. While he died before the above station was built, he played a major role in having the trains travel through Greensboro. Governor Morehead's home is just a few blocks northeast of this rail station. The Southern Railroad Company commissioned the Southern Railway Station, which opened in 1899. The exterior is made of brick with granite trim. The station served travelers coming in and out of Greensboro.

This depot at 400 South Elm Street was replaced in 1927 by the J. Douglas Galyon Station on East Washington Street. The above building has changed considerably over the last 122 years. According to Preservation Greensboro, the elaborate Victorian elements were removed.*  While the turreted roof is long gone, the round brick support feature on the northeastern side of the building is still a noticeable feature. Also missing is the 3rd floor which was built under a clay roof filled with dormers. As of 1980, the has been on the National Register as part of the downtown Greensboro Historic District. So, hopefully, the building will be around for a very long time and will be repurposed into something Greensboro fabulous. The neighborhing Cascade Saloon was rescued and brought back to life by the Christman Company. The depot deserves to be restored. You can tell by the above photo that is has good bones. Happy Thursday, dear readers!

 

*reference and more information HERE.

The Greensboro Greenway: Southeast Portion

Part of the southeast portion of the Greensboro Greenway passes along Bragg Street at Martin Luther King Drive. The above photo shows the asphalt trail that comes up the hill from Morrow Boulevard and crosses over East Gate City Boulevard. The downtown portion of the greenway is a 4-mile, multi-use paved trail. It is the only greenway encircling a city in North Carolina. This beautiful community resource actually connects to 100 miles of existing trails that will only continue to grow. Mr. Mapp's MLK bust (featured Monday) is found along this section of the Greenway. Two additional works of art are here. In the foreground is William Byer's "Reflection Rock" installed in 2019. In the background is the Monument to Dignity and Respect by Vandorn Hinnant. The arm, with a finger pointing to the sky, reads, "Dignity, United We Stand" a message that was heard in the Presidential Inauguration yesterday. Another quote on the Hinnant sculpture reads,  "I've always felt that the place where I live is the place I should improve" Dorothy Brown, Community Leader.

The greenway is a giant effort to unite and improve our community. Here is a detailed map, should you be curious, or even better, interested in exploring the greenway yourself. As you look at the map, you will learn that it was envisioned and inspired by the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission, to be the signature project commemorating Greensboro's 2008 Bicentennial. In 1891, Greensboro became known as the Gate City because so many trains traveled through Greensboro. It was the transportation gateway to the west and south. We're thinking that as of 2021,  Greensboro is on its way to earning another nickname, the Trail City!

In Search of a Perfect View

Where can you go in Greensboro to take a fabulous sunrise, sunset, or panoramic view photo? We've been going around town, in search of the perfect view. So far, we haven't found a spot that absolutely showcases the beauty of our city. Today's effort was taken at the Church Street Parking Deck, beside the Central Library and behind the Cultural Arts Center. As seen on the sign, in the lime green block in the top left of the photo, this bright building is the Children's Museum. It has been a Greensboro treasure since it opened on May 15, 1999. While this view of the Children's Museum is a nice one and you can see the tree-lined Dunleath Neighborhood off in the distance, we are still hoping to find a nice panoramic view.

The Children's Museum is temporarily closed due to Covid. When open, it is a place that inspires hands-on learning and according to their website, they have more than 20 exhibits and a 30-foot tall climber. The museum has continued to grow over the years, having added an edible garden and an outdoor play plaza. The cost of admission is $10. If you want to help them through the COVID times, you can donate, here. While the streets look empty, if you look closely you can see a few people walking on the sidewalk in front of the museum.

Remembering J. Kenneth Lee

The above mural features a Greensboro civil rights great, J. Kenneth Lee. In her News & Record article in 2018, Nancy McLoughlin wrote a befitting title to remember this great man, "Remembering a quiet 'giant' Fighter of racism. Mentor to many. J. Kenneth Lee 'stood at the front of the line all the time'."* Mr. Lee was a civil rights attorney who came to Greensboro to attend North Carolina A&T State University. Mr. Lee went on to obtain a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill and returned to Greensboro to practice and to play an integral part in the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Lee worked hard to dismantle Jim Crow laws, to help desegregate public schools, and to open doors for African Americans that had previously been closed . As an example, Mr. Lee founded a federally chartered savings and loan, American Federal in Greensboro, making it possible for African Americans to secure loans. As mentioned yesterday, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. stayed at Mr. Lee's house on Broad Street. While Mr. Lee called Greensboro home for most of his 94 years, he grew up in Hamlet, NC (Richmond County) and remembered fondly his time with his grandmother, who had been a slave. Here is an interesting entry on J. Kenneth Lee in the Carolina Law Oral History Project.

The above mural of Mr. Lee is painted on the Studio 503 building just beside the Point Dance Studio. The mural is located on Washington Street- at the corner of Pastor Anderson Way. Mural artist "Aches", who hails from Ireland, painted the portrait-mural in 2018. Here is an article showing "Aches" during the painting process. It is fascinating how quickly and efficiently these mural artists work!

* Reference and more information in Nancy McLoughlin's article.

Honoring and Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Always observed the third Monday in January, MLK Day is a federal holiday. Government offices are closed, as are public schools. The above photo features the bust originally cast by Wilber Lee Mapp in 1994 and originally installed at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street (see it here). This iteration of the bust is installed in Ole Asheboro at the corner of Bragg Street and Martin Luther King Drive. Mr. Mapp's sculpture was recast in bronze and installed here in 2019. The ribbon cutting ceremony was on January 21st. Here is the link from when we attended the ceremony two years ago. During yesterday's visit, we noticed that the greenway is now completed just to the right of this monument. There are two other pieces of artwork at this greenway juncture and the view is really pretty. We'll feature more from this area soon. 

Usually, Ole Asheboro and Southside would be teeming with people today with a parade and other celebrations. Today it will be COVID quiet. Perhaps people will walk or bike by and take time to reflect on the the teachings of Dr. King. As stated on the plaque in front of the bust, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., planned to speak at Trinity AME Zion Church in Greensboro (a few blocks from here) on April 4, 1968. He canceled his visit to Greensboro to remain in Memphis where he was assassinated on that day." If you are here in east Greensboro, just over the hill, you will find Bennett College, where Dr. King spoke at Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on February 11, 1958. Dr. King also stayed at the Broad Street home of civil rights attorney, Kenneth Lee.* 

*reference and more information. 

Skateboarding in Greensboro

This photo, taken in December, is of teens skating downtown on Barnhardt Street. It is so hard for teens to find things to do for entertainment and to find ways to socialize with schools closed. Skateboarding is a way to get outside, get a little exercise, and have fun with friends. These skaters were just off Elm Street, trying to master pop shuvits, ollies, grabs, and more. Historically, Greensboro hasn't been known as a skating town, but, popularity has been increasing over the years. If you know of young people looking for places to skate, there is the Above Board Skatepark on Greengate Drive. Also, Latham Skatepark offers skateboarding, as does the Glenwood neighborhood. Skaters should wear helmets and pads (and masks).

If you have ever been the parent of a skateboarder, you know how easy it is for accidents to happen. However, parents also learn that that the determination comes from practicing skateboard moves, which is good for helping kids learn to focus and work towards goals. Skateboarding is now a Summer Olympic sport and will debut in the games in Tokyo this summer. Who knows, maybe the above skateboarding trio from Greensboro someday will compete in the Olympics. If these guys need a new board, wheels, or trucks, Stolen Skate Shop at 534 South Elm Street is just down the street. Stolen adds yet another opportunity for entertainment in the 500 block of South Elm- arcade, bowling, ice skating, and skateboarding supplies all within the block.

Happy Saturday. May you find something fun and safe to make your day memorable.

Bus #1 Reminds Us: Mask Up!

The bus in the photo above is leaving Greene Street, has looped around the Holliday Circle roundabout, and is heading to Spring Garden Street in downtown Greensboro. Notice the "MASK UP!" reminder on bus number 1. The drivers work hard to keep riders, and themselves, safe.

Of course, the tall building in the background is the Lincoln Financial Group building. While the name of the building changes as the occupants change, this skyscraper remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greensboro. Actually, it is two buildings. The whiter building to the right in older Jefferson Standard building. It was built in 1922. The grayer one with the green roof and the time/temperature sign is the more recent building, initially Jefferson-Pilot and, as of 2006, Lincoln Financial Group.  At 233 feet, the building is still the tallest in Greensboro.

As for the bus, if you are interested in using this community transportation resource, here is a link to the routes.

When taking the photo, we didn't think there were any people in the photo. On closer inspection, we noticed two people. Do you see the couple?

Hamburger Square: What a Great Backdrop

Hamburger Square, at the end of the 300 block of South Elm Street, is where many community events take place. There have always been businesses here, especially sandwich shops. In the time of WWII, soldiers gathered here to travel by train. Currently Natty Greene's, Just Be, and Little Brother Brewing surround the square. The Southeast corner, just below the railroad tracks, doesn't have a business; it has some green space. The above photo is of Natty Greene's in December.

In January of 2019, an article in the News & Record stated that The Christman Company, located nearby in the former Cascade Saloon, donated $50,000 to help rejuvenate this area* It looks like at least some of the work has been done. To be sure the overpass got painted. Next time we're downtown, we'll look more closely to note changes. In addition to sprucing up the area, one of the goals is to make it more pedestrian friendly. Today is Friday; weather permitting, it could be a day to explore the Hamburger Square area.

One of the perks of taking lots of photos of Greensboro is that we have plenty to choose from for Zoom backdrops. We are currently using the above photo and the "zoomer" (person), is nestled snugly in the middle with the blue sky overhead and the lights in the background. Doing something silly, like trying to find a good Zoom background adds a little levity to the day. We've even had a request for a photo with trains as a Greensboro-themed background. Well see if we can take one this weekend for our science-teacher friend. Enjoy your weekend!

• read the article, here. 
• more information about Hamburger square from the 1940's, here. 

Guilford Court House in Greensboro

The above photo is of the Guilford Courthouse, built in 1917 at 301 Market Street. It replaced the courthouse building at the corner of Market and Elm Streets as, in the days before air conditioning, that location was too noisy to when windows needed to be open for ventilation. The Jefferson Standard building of the Lincoln Financial complex is no located on the site of the courthouse that pre-dates the above location.

The building material is  Mt. Airy granite and textured terra cotta tile that has the appearance of granite. Harry Barton was the lead architect. The style is Beaux-Arts/Neoclassical Revival.* The government complex has expanded quite a bit since this building was constructed. If you have ever had to go to the Clerk of Courts office, you have been to this building. This is also an early voting site. Often, these buildings go unnoticed, until we need the services therein. This building exudes strength and stability. The doves of peace are a symbol of love and peace and are symboled in many religions. Today we wish you peace and love, whether you are conducting business at the courthouse, or elsewhere. Happy Thursday!

* read more about the courthouse here.

Boxcar Pizza at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Ten years ago in 2011, when we interviewed Greensboro entrepreneur,  Dennis Quaintance, we talked about "small" being the new "big".  After years of biggie sizes, smaller glasses, plates, and portions have gained popularity. Today's post is one such example. Boxcar Pizza is a tiny space, specifically boxcar-sized, in the South Elm/Lewis Street area. This outdoor pizza kitchen is the perfect place to get some hot food quickly, whether you are in one of the South Elm establishments or just out walking. It is a way to eat without having to go inside an establishment. You can, however, eat inside the Boxcar Bar & Arcade. It serves as the kitchen for the bar and arcade.

This outdoor pizza kitchen serves Neapolitan style pizza with traditional toppings. It also serves unique toppings like bison sausage and pickles. Savory and sweet soft pretzels are available, too. The boxcar option has been popular with people skating at the adjacent pop-up ice rink. On the day we were on site, the Boxcar employee (in the window) was so busy, we didn't interrupt for an interview.  Boxcar is a unique addition to the downtown Greensboro landscape. See the hours, menu, and more, here.

Triad City Beat & Thomas Sayre's Greenway Art

Today is a special day on so many levels. First, a loyal reader suggested we photograph the above Greenway artwork and mentioned that it is especially attractive near sunset. Second, we serendipitously met up with Carolyn de Berry, staff photographer for Triad City Beat (TCB), who was on location taking photos for TCB. Carolyn was with her son, Lliam Robinson.  Third, we found something new being constructed downtown, fulfilling the request of a loyal reader.

Carolyn and Lliam: Carolyn relocated from Connecticut to Greensboro to attend Guilford College, where she majored in psychology.  Also trained as a commercial photographer, Carolyn has been a photographer at TCB since the paper was first established seven years ago. Carolyn looks for good, interesting, and newsworthy Triad subjects to feature. Her photos are published in TCB weekly. The intellectually curious, outdoor-loving Lliam is a student at New Garden Friend's School.

The artwork: The earthcastings, the trio of sculptures to the righ,t are by Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre. Sayre and his team installed them in late November. They are located near Guilford Avenue and Westerwood Tavern on the path of the Downtown Greenway. In the News & Record article about these concrete structures, Sayre is quoted as saying, "The greenway is about finding your way through downtown Greensboro [and i]n some ways I see the cairns as stacked stones that for centuries humans have used to find our way" (Kane, Nov. 17, 2020). The greenway project is progressing nicely and is anticipated to be completed in 2022.

If you are looking something fun to do, you can't beat urban exploring. And, who knows, you just may run into Carolyn and Lliam or David and me! It was so special finally meeting each other.