Greensboro Daily Photo

got Sourdough?

This is not an exclusively Greensboro story as much as it is a "slice of life" story. Do you make sourdough bread? Are you the keeper of sourdough starter? The above sourdough starter is one that we are babysitting in our Greensboro home. There are two jars because the mother jar was outgrowing her jar. We made pancakes and bread and then split it, so we could have some when the owner returns. The mother culture came from Europe over 160 years ago; yes, it predates the American Civil War!  That put us under a lot of pressure to not kill something that has thrived since the time of President Lincoln. 

To bring the story back around to Greensboro, we recently learned that Gardner Bob's Homestead Kitchen on Spring Garden Street sells starter for those who are ready to take the leap. Their starter has been active for over 100 years. If you are looking for a good business to start, consider this idea. In Ørestad, Denmark, they have a Sourdough Hotel. Yes, if you are going on vacation, you can take your starter to them and they will keep it going for you (see HERE)!  For about $44 a week, they keep your starter healthy, maintain the temperature at 20ºC, and rehabilitate it- if needed. They also offer pickup by cargo bike! If you have a starter dough story story, please share it with us. Even better, let's meet up and break bread together.

Happy Wednesday!

Daily Bread Flour

We love the Daily Bread Flour ghost sign on the building at the southwest corner of South Elm and West Gate City Boulevard. This is the area that houses the Continental Club, where there is great jazz music on Thursday nights. Also, it is the location of Greensboro's newest coffee shop, Back Stage. The coffee shop is so new, it doesn't even seem to have any social media presence. When we search it, a shop by the same name in Greenville, SC pops up. This area is known as the  Mill Entertainment Complex.

The building dates to 1912 and was renovated in 2008.  It was formerly the North State Milling Company an early 20th century industrial site.  Preservation Greensboro's Facebook page has the best explanation we've found about the history of the building. "he company was founded in 1912 and manufactured plain and self-rising cornmeal and flour, hen scratch, bran, and feed for livestock. Grain was brought to the site by truck and by rail where it was processed and held for distribution across the region. The original three-level building features a handsome corbelled brick cornice and exterior painted sign advertising Daily Bread Flour, but the interior of the building holds exceptional detailing as well. Remarkably well-preserved, these silos remain an integral part of the Mill. Recent renovations by building owner Eric Robert have exposed these silos in a way that is both historic, yet dramatically contemporary. Robert divided the tall vertical space by floor level, reusing the planks once part of the wall, as flooring. Although spaces are constructed of 100-year old wood, and conform to the dimensions of the original silos, the beautifully austere space is a minimalist setting that feels oddly futuristic."

Tonight and this weekend would be a great time to step inside and see this "oddly futuristic" look.

Happy Thursday!

Desegregation of the Greensboro City Schools

The Greensboro City Schools were desegregated in 1971. Last night, four local residents, who attended school during the early years of desegregation, shared their personal experiences  to Beta Delta, a Greensboro chapter of NC Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of key women educators. Chapter President April Dunovant and Andrea Green, Vice President and Chair of the Educational Excellence Committee, assembled the panel. From left to right, Elaine McRae, Ragsdale High School; David Moore, Dudley High School; Dr. Joanna Evans Lynn, Dudley High School; Francine Scott, Dudley High School (and UNCG).  Elaine spoke about how her high school experience in an integrated school was very good, but only learned recently that the experience was not always as positive for her African American classmates. David Moore and Dr. Lynn both have books about their experiences. Mr. Moore talked about how the Dudley students were not completely on board with the idea. He also said that many of the white students that came to Dudley were from the White Oak Mill Community. As it turned out, the White Oak students were grateful for their Dudley experience because of the great course offerings available at Dudley.  Dr. Lynn worked in the Virginia Public Schools teaching during the first year of integration. Francine Scott graduated from Dudley and also worked there.

The Beta Delta members were very engaged and had several questions for this informative panel.  It is  important to remember our history and use what we have learned to make the future better. Having conversations with diverse groups about their life experiences helps us grow in unexpected ways.  We are really lucky the above four were willing to share their wisdom.

Happy Thursday!

 

New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

The New Zion Missionary Baptist Church is a very large part of the footprint between Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and East Gate City Boulevard (formerly Lee Street). The above photo features the Greensboro Fire Department Hose Company No 4, Southside, which the church now owns and uses for community outreach activities. The building appears to have been nicely restored and the sanctuary is located to the right of the above building. 

William F. Wright, Jr. is pastor and services are held Sunday mornings and evenings, and there is Wednesday Bible Study. The origins of the church date back to 1897 in the nearby Warnersville community. The church is known for working hard to meet the needs of the congregation and the needs of the surrounding community.  It is hard to believe that the multi-million dollar sanctuary (to the right), built in 2016 is already almost ten years old. In checking our archives, we see we featured it under construction in 2016. (see HERE).  It is fun to look back and see these changes to Greensboro over the years.

Happy Sunday!

Pfeiffer Chapel at Bennett College

Annie Merner Pfeiffer, born in Ontario, Canada, in 1860, was a philanthropist who later moved to the United States after marriage. She became affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1941, the chapel was built at Bennett College, and the college awarded her an honorary degree. Pfeiffer attended the dedication of Pfeiffer Chapel, which was named in her honor. See the order of service from  when the chapel was dedicated . The above photo shows a view of the chapel,  located on the quadrangle of Bennett College’s east Greensboro campus.

On February 11, 1958, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Pfeiffer Chapel when he was 29 years old. His speech, titled "A Realistic Look at Race Relations," focused on the importance of the ballot and discussed the limitations of the two major political parties. If you're interested, you can also read an interview with Dr. King conducted by student reporters from The Bennett Banner, archived at Stanford University. Here  the interview with Dr. King. It is just one example of the many significant Civil Rights events, issues, and conversations that took place in Greensboro.

Read more about Annie Merner Pfeiffer HERE.

Happy Sunday!

 

 

A Big Day in America

Today is a significant day for both Greensboro, North Carolina, and the nation. It marks a federal holiday dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the inauguration of President Trump.  Dr. King's birthday was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 1983. The last time this holiday coincided with a presidential inauguration was in 1997, during the second term of President Bill Clinton.

Today, we are proud to feature April Dunovant, a person who embodies the finest qualities of both America and its people. April is intelligent, reliable, and a model of integrity. In the image above, she holds her brass plaque of Dr. King, which features a copyright design from 1968 by the Timberlane Trading Company of Greensboro.

When we began searching for someone to highlight today, April was an obvious choice. With 14 years of experience teaching in North Carolina Public Schools, April has spent the last eight years teaching African American History. She also played an instrumental role in developing the African American curriculum for Guilford County Schools, collaborating with two colleagues to create a comprehensive program. Currently, April serves as an academic advisor at the Center for Academic Excellence at North Carolina A&T State University. Additionally, she has developed a course on the history of education for Black students in Greensboro City Schools, which she will begin teaching at Bennett College later this month.

Ever intellectually curious and globally minded, April will soon embark on a ten-day journey to Ghana with Dr. Tiffany Packer. During this trip, she will deepen her understanding of the crucial role Ghana played in the transatlantic slave trade—knowledge she will bring back to her classrooms. Dr. King would undoubtedly be proud of her ongoing commitment to education, history, and the pursuit of justice.

Trains Hamburger Square

The North Carolina Railroad was founded in Greensboro by John Motley Morehead. This view of the Hamburger Square area is located just across the railroad tracks of the historic marker we shared the other day, reminding us of our Gate City heritage. Our city was the perfect crossroads for north and south, east and west-bound trains.  The above Norfolk Southern train is headed east, going right past the former Southern Railway Station train depot. The city plans to renovate the building. Originally, it opened in 1899, the building has been closed for several years now. It will be fun to watch it come to life again.

According to Downtown Greensboro,  Inc., the plans are to return the building to a lively bustling, hub of activity (see HERE). While a change in the exterior brick footprint is not expected to change, the former awnings and roofline. This part of downtown has managed to keep its historic profile on the outside, even when interiors get modernized.  There is such beauty in those old brick buildings along South Elm Street. Of course if you venture downtown today, you will see snow and, quite possibly, some businesses closed. Check their social media or call for hours before venturing out.

Happy Saturday!

Remembering President Carter

As per national tradition, federal offices were closed since it was the day of President Carter's funeral.  Flags are still in the half-mast position. The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Veteran's Memorial, located downtown in the spot where Church St., Lindsay Street, and Summit Avenue converge. Specifically, the address is 301 North Church Street. The memorial honors fallen veterans who have died in battles since World War II. It was dedicated on November 10, 2014.*

President Carter won the 1976 election in North Carolina and many people remember him fondly. President Carter's term was from 1977-1981. In 1978, he visited Wake Forest University in Winston Salem to speak on his National Defense Policy. That is the only record we could find of his visiting the Triad during his presidency. While there aren't specific formal connections to Greensboro and President Carter, we're betting there are many personal ones, and if not for political reasons, likely for spiritual and humanitarian reasons. 

*see more information HERE.

Historic Marker Fun

Historic markers often go unnoticed, but they are so informative and very pre-digital age. Now, with AI and QR codes, you can access virtually any information. However, the old-school markers make us "one" with history, as in "on this very spot" or "near by" ...  But, now, in the digital era, if you notice that letter and number at the top, J-102, you can search additional information online.  See HERE where we searched for more information. The railroad system has been important to Greensboro since the 1800s.  The above marker was installed in its current location in 1996 and it is located at Hamburger Square, at the corner of McGee and South Elm. Below,  is the essay provided online at the above link. However, us this link to search by county in NC and any State marker can be found here, and there are a lot!

Essay:

     Appropriately, ceremonies marking the beginning and end of construction on the North Carolina Railroad took place in Greensboro or its environs. The Guilford County seat was positioned near the midpoint of the 223-mile arch that the road followed across the state from Charlotte to Goldsboro. The early annual meetings of the stockholders were held in the Gate City. And, most importantly, Greensboro was the home of John Motley Morehead, former governor (1841-1845) and “in large measure the road’s founding father,” according to railroad historian Allen W. Trelease.

     The formal groundbreaking took place on Friday, July 11, 1851, following the annual stockholders meeting. Thousands attended, a crowd which the local paper judged to be the largest in the town’s history. Morehead spoke, voicing his pride in the project. Calvin Gravesof Caswell County, who had sacrificed his political career by casting the deciding vote in favor of the railroad, had the honor of turning the first spade of soil. Those assembled filled a chest that served as a time capsule. Five years later, the two track-laying crews met at “Hilltop” midway between Jamestown and Greensboro. David F. Caldwell of Greensboro, legislator and railroad backer, drove the final spike. The Greensborough Patriot of February 1, 1856, headlined “Finished!!” and the Greensboro Times of January 21, 1856, “The Road Completed!”

     The railroad proved to be a key factor in Greensboro’s, indeed the Piedmont’s, prosperity and industrial growth. During the Civil War the city was both a storehouse and a rail center for the Confederacy. Civilian refugees and wounded soldiers were transported and sheltered there. In April 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis arrived in Greensboro in the course of his flight southward.


References:
Allen W. Trelease, The North Carolina Railroad, 1849-1871, and the Modernization of North Carolina (1991)
Burton Alva Konkle, John Motley Morehead and the Development of North Carolina, 1796-1866 (1922)
Cecil K. Brown, A State Movement in Railroad Development (1928)
Ethel Stephen Arnett, Greensboro, North Carolina: The County Seat of Guilford (1955)
Greensborough Patriot, December 20, 1851 and February 1, 1856

Top Photos of 2024

Happy New Year!

In the City Daily Photo Community, we have the January 1st tradition of selecting the best photo of the year. We picked the one of  the Grimsley High School football team heading to Chapel Hill to play in the final 4A football championship.*  The Grimsley team won; they are state champions! This giant win represents the true spirit of community. Grimsley students had a dream, worked will together, and had great coaching. Between talent, discipline, and believing in themselves, they brought home the trophy. Parents and teachers alike accommodated  their schedules to allow this to happen. Players focused in a driven way that will take them far in life and the cheerleaders were there every step of the way, energizing the crowd. Community is comprised of people, places, and events. While Grimsley is only one of 30 high schools in the county, it is an example of the wonderful things happening in the Guilford County Public Schools. Grimsley was originally established in 1899 as Greensboro High School (see original post HERE).

In our annual reviews, we also like to share notable posts for each month. Greensboro has seen lots of change in 2024. This was the year we lost an outstanding public servant, Yvonne Johnson.  There were many construction projects underway. The Northern Lights also came to town. The News & Record building came tumbling down, signaling the end of our once prominent community newspaper. Here is a summary from the City of Greensboro of past projects and what's ahead. And now, our picks. Click on the month to follow the link for the event.

December-- Sad, but notable was the loss of Yvonne Johnson. Her service was held in Pfeiffer Chapel on the campus of Bennett College. Her casket was transported there in a horse-drawn carriage. Many family and community members shared their memories of one of Greensboro's greatest public servants. She was future oriented, yet with that old-school commitment to being ethical, fair, hardworking, and kind.

November--  We loved seeing the She Care Wellness Pods at Bennett College, constructed to help foster and maintain positive mental health in the community. Funding was made possible by Kate Spade New York and Tara P. Henson's Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. They are placed on campuses, and communities that provide evidence they can sustain the project.

October-- The Westerwood Chili Cook-off. Greensboro has many neighborhoods that work hard to build community; Westerwood is one such neighborhood. Every October, they have a fundraiser and chili contest. They have a string band that plays throughout the event. People bring lawn chairs, yard games, dogs, and friends and spend the afternoon in fellowship with neighbors and friends. While the event is intended for Westerwood residents, we've never seen anyone turned away.

September-- In September, the 10th annual folk festival came to town. Greensboro is so lucky to have been selected for this great weekend of music. This year, the majority of the music, venues, tents, food trucks, and vendors were held between LeBauer Park and The Gaylon Depot, with Church Street being a hub of activity. The sponsors work hard to keep the event free. 

August-- The Mojud Lofts are located in what was once the Rolane Hosiery Mill. For years, the building was empty and deteriorating. Now, it has been brought back to life and added energy to a part of town that has tremendous potential- just beyond UNCG to the east and Lindley Park to the north, 

July-- The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department does so much for the city.  They make a concerted effort to create fun things to do and places to enjoy while keeping prices reasonable, and often free. Every summer, we participate in one of the the night kayak adventures. When we went in July, all kayaks were rented, an indication that the event is popular.

June-- Summer Solstice Festival. 2024 was the 20th festival with over 5,000 people attending. Held in the Arboretum, it truly brings people together. From early afternoon to the fire show finale, the event is non-stop fun.

May-- Can you believe the Northern Lights came to town? Seeing them has been on our bucket list and to think they were visible in Greensboro is something we will always remember.  May also saw the dismantling of the News & Record building which was nothing more than a sign of the times; indeed, to quote Bob Dylan, The Times They Are a Changin. 

April-- Judy Woodruff, part of the Guilford College, Bryan Speaker Series. Since 1996, Guilford College has hosted the Bryan Speaker Series. The event format is an intimate community conversation. It is another opportunity for an Institution of Higher Education, business, and community members to come together. Guilford College is working hard to see how they can remain viable and relevant as the interests and actions of this younger generation shift. If you have a chance to support the college in any way, their roots date back to the early 1800s, making it the first college in Guilford County.

March-- Spring in Greensboro is nothing short of spectacular. From the humblest of neighborhoods to the fancy homes, dogwoods abound. 

February-- The Corner Farmer's Market has become a Saturday morning must for many people. St. Andrews Episcopal Church welcomes the market onto their parking lot, another fine example of people, businesses, and an organization coming together for the good of the community. We finally got to talk to Kathy Newsome who works tirelessly to see that everything goes well, keeping vendors and customers happy.

January-- Tanger Center is a breathtaking community resource. No longer do we need to head to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Durham to see nationally and internationally renowned performances. Greensboro has its own  state-of-the-art facility. It even has more bathrooms than Buc-kees (if you know you know).

And that, dear readers, is a recap of some of the people, places, events, and nature in Greensboro. Thank you for continuing on this journey with us. Check back tomorrow as we begin Year 17 of this daily photo site.

Happy New Year!

Irving Park United Methodist Church

Irving Park United Methodist Church opened in the 1950s at a time when the Irving Park and Kirkwood neighborhoods were expanding. It is located at the corner of West Cone Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue on three acres. Not only do they have a thriving congregation, they host a boy scout troop and many other groups. The above photo is of the sanctuary one Saturday morning when one person was inside, possibly the preacher or the music director preparing for Sunday service. The stained glass windows were so beautiful and cast a warm glow in the sanctuary. The windows are an abstract design, as opposed to windows that teach about the Bible. The church looks very different when filled with people. With or without people, however, it is lovely.

Happy Sunday!

150 Trees Recently Planted at Bennett College

Do you see that young magnolia tree? It is one of 150 trees planted on the campus of Bennett College on November 2nd. In collaboration with with Greensboro Beautiful, volunteers planted these trees-- a combination of willow oaks, white oaks, cherry laurel, sugar maple, and southern magnolias. They were planted to help restore historic and native trees that have been lost over the years.  Bennett staff member, Dr. Anne Hayes, Executive Director of Global & Interdisciplinary Studies at Bennett,  coordinated the partnership with Greensboro Beautiful.  

Greensboro Beautiful is a 501 (c) 3 organization founded in 1968 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the beauty and ecology of Greensboro. According to Christina Larson, Chair of Greensboro Beautiful's Executive Committee, there was actually enough space on the Bennett campus to plant over 200 trees; however, 150 seemed very special since this is the 150th anniversary of the founding of this historically black college for women in east Greensboro. Current Bennett students should take their photo with these trees, return to Founders Weekends in the future and monitor how much the trees have grown. They can show their children and grandchildren their photos with the trees over the decades.  Bennett College is a small, liberal arts college that provides students with many special experiences such as the tree planting, interaction with Fulbright scholars, and the She Wellness Pods we wrote about last week.  By the way, the green container is the back of the wellness pods.

Happy Wednesday, dear readers!

Ruth Rachel Roberts

Ruth Rachel Roberts died on August 16, 2017, at the age of 96. She would have been 103 this year. The above photo was taken at the estate sale held at her home on 4235 Ashland Drive. We wish we'd met Ruth*  and interviewed her for GDP; she lead such a long and interesting life.  We are grateful for our friend, local singer/performer Jessica Mashburn, for urging us to attend the estate sale.  Jessica was right. The house and its contents are quite a time capsule and window into Ruth's life that was as full as her house. Ruth graduated from Greensboro Senior High School (Grimsley)  in 1938 and went on to work for and retire from the United States Internal Revenue Service.  One of eight children, in her family, she was the last living member of her generation. The contents reflected a century's worth of household items and collections.

We photographed the wooden skate in the living room as Ruth was a competitive roller skater, traveling for competitions. She also officiated for competitions. Ruth was a master seamstress, making her costumes as well as clothing for daily wear. She was also an avid doll collector and was a member of Piedmont Doll Club. We're estimating there were still 300 dolls for sale in the last hours of the last day of the estate sale.  In addition to sewing, Ruth was a talented crafter. Boxes and boxes of crafting supplies and yards and yards of fabric were available at the sale.  Among other crafts, Ruth was known for making Chrismon ornaments-- ornaments with Christian symbols on them to remind people that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. **  Ruth was a lifelong member of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant and taught Sunday school there. Signs of her spirituality were seen everywhere in the house, from her craft projects to her book collection. 

The four bedroom 2.5 bathroom house was built in 1920, the year before Ruth was born. Wendover Avenue, built in the 1930s, ten years after the construction of the house,  is literally in the backyard of this 1/3 acre property. We're betting some of their property was taken to construct the road which grew and widened over Ruth's life. Somehow, when walking through the tan stucco house with minimal, if any, remodeling over the years, you imagine women in cotton dresses cooking and sewing; and men sitting, reading the paper, and smoking a pipe.  The sights and sounds of Wendover are hardly noticeable. Here's to a life well lived.

 

*  as she is referred to in her obituary,  the source of information shared in this post.

** The word is a combination of the words Christmas and monogram. Frances Kipps Spencer of Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, created the first Chrismon tree in 1957. 

 

 

Oscar Oglethorpe Eyewear

Earlier in the week, leaving the celebration for Justice and Mrs. Frye and heading to our car, we noticed this window at Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear at 226 South Elm Street. Seeing those eyes staring back at us in purple and burgundy caused us to reminisce about a time, decades ago. Back in the day, storefronts were the Internet and social media for a store. Grocery stores posted ads of what was on sale, what was not available. Clothing stores dressed mannequins that drew y ou in. Consumers went "window shopping." Doing window displays was a popular profession.

In the 21st century, storefronts simply don't have that same allure. But look at how the Oscar Oglethrope Eyewear window draws you in. Their windows are always so creative and change often; same with their trendy glass frames. Their inventory is constantly changing. Decorating a downtown window  seems so appropriate. As for the 200 block of South Elm Street, here is what the documentation for the "National register of Historic Places Inventory- Nomination Form" has to say about the 200 block of South Elm.

"This area contains the most architectural diversity of any part of the district, Here are found the simple Italianate structures of the late 1880's, 1890's and early 1900's, as well as the Art Deco buildings of the 1920's and 1930's and the modern structures of the 1950's and 1970's. The entire area is included because all structures fit together so well to form a complete sereetscape of both sides of the street and show such a wide range of architectural styles. Most of the structures are two-stories in height, although a few do rise to three and four stories."

Happy Saturday, a perfect time to go window shopping and reflect on what you see.

911 Memorial Stair Climb

It has been 23 years since the terrorist attacks in the USA. Around this time Greensboro holds an annual stair climb to honor the first responders who lost their lives that day. Greensboro has held this stair climb for 5 years. Greensboro firefighters, community members,  and police participated. Initially, the stair climb was held at the Bellemeade Parking Deck, recently, it has been held at the Eugene Street Parking Deck, at 215 North Eugene, directly across from the Grasshoppers stadium- First National Bank Field. The happening of the event usually coincides with the NC Folk Festival. The memorial for Sandy Bradshaw, the Greensboro flight attendant who died on United Airlines Flight 93 is located beside the stadium.

It is hard to believe that some of the first responders had not yet been born in 2011. The Eugene Street Deck opened a little over three years ago, in June of 2021. As this part of downtown sees more growth, this public parking deck will be a great asset to the community. Even though the run is over, let us remember 9/11 and hope an event like those on that day in 2001 never happen again on US soil

113 Kensington

This house at 113 Kensington Road always catches our attention when we walk to the Corner Farmers Market. This brick home was built in 1925, has almost 1/2 an acre, a 3-car garage, and four bedrooms and three baths. That is a might big house for 99 years ago in Sunset Hills. It even has a basement, and a walk-in pantry. We're betting that the original owners had help for entertaining in this house.

About the time this house was built, Cone Mills was firmly established in the textile industry.  Burlington Industries had opened in 1923. The Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Co. had been in business for 20 years.  Greensboro had many tobacco-related operations in the 1920s. Also, at that time, railways were a primary mode of passenger traffic as well as transporting freight.  Being so close to West Market Street, this house would have had easy access to downtown, including  street car service. The Sunset Hills neighborhood is now 100 years old. Every home owner of a house from 100 years ago should maintain records of the history of their home's history- since the walls can't talk. The history museum and public records are two great places to find information.

Happy Tuesday!

Open Pasture on Highwoods Boulevard

We learned from a Triad Business Journal article (3/22/23) that a planned community of 136 single family homes will be built on the above 16.2 acres between Hobbs Road and Jefferson Village Shopping Center. Yesterday, we noticed that a road has been cut through and machinery is being put into place. This is one of the remaining undeveloped parcels of land that is part of the 414 acre property on New Garden Road.  The Jefferson-Pilot Club was located there for 73 years. All employees were entitled to use the club. It was open from 1924- 1997.*  Nearby Price Park and the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library are two small parcels of the land that are open to the public. The public school, Jefferson Elementary, was also built on the Jefferson-Pilot land.

The road reveals the rocky, red clay soil so common around here. The land is fairly flat, so it should be relatively easy to build and homeowners will be surrounded by plenty of shopping.  It was such a beautiful day yesterday. Look at those clouds and notice, dead center in the photo, a bird is flying overhead.  As Greensboro, and all of North Carolina, really, continues to be developed. we hope there is some kind of master plan for green spaces and for land to remain undeveloped. Everybody deserves to sit and take in nature as seen here.

Happy Monday!

* see Jim Schlosser's article in the News & Record, HERE.

Mojud Lofts

Mood Lofts are located at 1001 South Lindell Road, back between the railroad tracks at Oakland Avenue and Spring Garden Street, behind Hops Burger Bar. The apartments will offer, not only housing, but also communal space and many amenities, including a fitness room, a saltwater pool,  and a courtyard. This building has been empty for so long, it is nice to see it being repurposed and put to good use. The building's roots date back to the 1920s when Greensboro was a thriving mill town. At first, we thought the name came from another language, possibly Arabic. However, it appears to be a mix of two of the original hosiery mill executives: Mock and Judson. One, two, and three bedroom apartments. The architects have designed floor plans that keep as much of the historic elements as possible while adding new, clean, and modern amenities. Here's what the property looked like a few years ago when the transformation was getting underway. The view from this photo in 2014 is the same corner of the building you see in today's photo. It is hard for us to realize when we were out taking photos ten years ago that we were actually documenting some of the history of Greensboro. If you follow the links, you can see some "then and now" shots. 

If you get a chance, drive to Hyatt Street, back by the Sherwin Williams Paint Company and see the change to this part of town. Now, we're wondering what will become of the empty lot across the street of the MoJud Lofts, the place that formerly housed a mobile home community. Can you think of anything we should photograph now that will look entirely different another ten years from now? If so, let us know.

Read more about the interesting history of the mill, HERE.

Happy Wednesday!

Relics of the Past

Relics of the past. We love finding memorabilia of items related to Greensboro. The above leather, metal-zippered, envelope pouch likely insurance policy papers. It was used at the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company which was located in the building they built at 101 North Elm Street, at the corner of Market Street. The building was completed in 1923. Jefferson-Standard became Jefferson-Pilot and in 2006, the company was sold and became Lincoln Financial Group- what you see on the building today if you are in the area.*

In 1967, Jefferson Standard merged with Jefferson Pilot, to form Jefferson Pilot Corporation. Therefore, we are concluding that this zippered envelope can be dated between 1923 and 1967. We're hoping that someone who worked there or who had one of these can share details with us. We saw an old listing for one on eBay, but no information comes up about it.  Now, with so many transactions being online  and so few "give aways," this is a relic of the past, not unlike those zippered pouches for transporting cash to and from the bank. Do you have any Greensboro artifacts that tell stories of the people and places? Be on the lookout for them when you are out and about this weekend. Even if you don't purchase them, snap a photo. If you have something you don't want, see if the Greensboro History Museum would like it. 

See you downtown at FIRST FRIDAY tonight!

 

* See more details in the archives of the Greensboro History Museum, HERE. 

New Light Missionary Baptist Church

New Light Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history, dating back to 1891.  In the earliest years, it was in a different location. The above building, that also has a family life center behind is located at 1105 Willow Road, across from Dudley High School. The pastor, loved by the community, is the Rev. Dr. Cardes Brown Jr. who has served New Light since 1975. While originally from Rocky Mount, the son of a preacher, he first came to Greensboro to attend North Carolina A&T State University, and decided to make Greensboro his home.  He is so loved by the community that the City of Greensboro has named the portion of Willow Road where the church is located, Rev. Dr. Cardes Brown Jr.  Rev. Dr. Brown serves community not only in a spiritual way, but also by serving many groups committed to social justice. Read more about him HERE.  His wife, Diane Piece Brown, serves alongside him.

Service times are 7:30 am and 10:45 am on Sunday mornings, with Sunday School at 9:30 am. They also have mid-week opportunities to worship on Wednesday with lunch served at 12 noon and a service at 7:00 pm. And, for those who can't get out, or in need of another opportunity for prayer, there is an 8:00pm prayer line on Thursdays. This is one of those churches committed to helping the community in any way it can. As a missionary Baptist church, they evangelize both locally and globally. In a world where everything is changing so quickly, it is refreshing to learn of a community like New Light that has had decades of stability.

Happy Sunday!

Continental Club

How will you spend the weekend in Greensboro? The above photo is of a banjo player, yes, a banjo player, heading into the Continental Club on 816 South Elm Street. This is a great place fore music and dancing. The venue is located in a building that was originally "The Mill" a landmark and historical place. It is so great to see those historic buildings put to good use. It sold in 2016 and has been a hub of activity since then. If you are out this weekend, head downtown Greensboro and check out some of these historic properties that are getting a new life. The above property was originally the 1910 North State Milling Company. See a wonderful 2 minute video HERE.

Happy Saturday and happy exploring historic Greensboro.

Learning about Local Women Veterans with Dr. Beth Ann Koelsch

Beth Ann Koelsch, Associate Professor at UNCG, curates the Women Veterans Historical Project.  This project documents women's participation in the armed forces of the USA. There quite a lot of women who have served over the years at Woman's College, now named the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Dr. Koelsch spent the day last Saturday (July 6th) talking to people at the Forties Flashback Family Fun Day at the Greensboro History Museum. This event is an example of the fine programs available to us in the Greensboro area. It is also an example of how university faculty members can conduct research and organize documents and artifacts in a way that tell a rich story that otherwise might be lost. If you are interested in learning more about the collection, you can contact Jackson Library. We learned so much from Dr. Koelsch and from our day we spent at the museum.

Happy Tuesday!

Paperhand Puppet Intervention at Summer Solstice

The Paperhand Puppet Intervention is an inspiration to all who see it. Saturday, at the Summer Solstice Festival in the Greensboro Arboretum, was no exception. The above photo gives you an idea of the craftsmanship that goes into making the larger-than-life puppets. There were at least 25 of them at the solstice event, and many of the people handling the puppets were volunteers, bystanders at the festival. 

The Saxapahaw group was founded 26 years ago in 1998 by Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger. Zimmerman was inspired after having seen the Bread and Hand puppet performance in Vermont. Bread and Puppet was established in the early 1960s in New York City by Peter Schulman. The name derived from the fact that great and oil were served at the puppet shows. Fast forward 60 plus years and Bread and Puppet is still going strong and so is Paperhand Puppet Intervention. This latter group is always a special feature of the solstice event. A but thank you to all involved in bring them to the festival. Imagine the eyes of the little children when these larger-than-life puppets come walking by. The person navigating the stilts and monarch butterfly is likely  trained, as she navigated those stilts beautifully.

We completely in awe of all involved in the Summer Solstice event.

Happy Tuesday!

Donna Barrier: Member/ Historian, Guilford Park Presbyterian Church

A couple of weeks ago, we had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Donna Barrier who is a second-generation member of Guilford Park Presbyterian Church. Donna, a Page High School graduate, was a lifelong educator in Greensboro. Now, in retirement, she dedicates much of her time serving her church. Donna is the archivist/historian, documenting all the major events of the church each year.*

Above, Donna is standing beside one of the carvings made by her dad, Harold A. Barrier. Her dad made more carvings because every pew has a different wooden carving at the end. There is documentation for each carving, the symbolism, and carved did it. According to Donna, woodcarving provided many hours of fellowship for the men involved in that project. This carving by Mr. Barrier is extra special because it is the descending dove. It is the symbol of the Holy Spirit's presence, and the story of the descending dove and Jesus' Baptism is found in all four Gospels. The carving is actually the seal of the Presbyterian Church of the United States. The four symbolic elements are a dove, the cross, a book symbolizing scripture, and flames. When we find a person who values documenting history and archiving, we know we have found a kindred spirit. It is the people that make Greensboro a special place to live and people like Donna who make Guilford Park Presbyterian a special place to worship. May we all have a "Donna" in our life.

Happy Sunday, this the first Sunday of Summer!

* See the yearly history HERE.

Stained Glass Windows at Guilford Park Presbyterian

In early May, we published an exterior photo of Guilford Park Presbyterian Church (see post HERE), commenting that we'd love to get inside to see those beautiful stained glass windows. Well, Guilford Park has a fabulous historian and archivist, Donna Barrier, and she reached out and invited us to come see the sanctuary.  Not only did we receive a personal tour and a couple hours of questions and answers, Donna shared with us the original 1955 contract from The Willet Stained Glass Company for the agreement to make and install the twelve windows. Collectively, it is a twelve panel chancel window, depicting the symbols of eleven disciples and Paul. (Judas is noticeably absent). The technique used was one perfected by medieval glass artists.  

From a distance, the overall impact of the windows is spectacular. However, the close-ups are breathtaking. See below the panel honoring St. Paul the Apostle to appreciate more fully the vibrancy of the painted and kiln fused slabs. As we sat there in awe of the windows the and acoustics of the sanctuary, we were even more impressed with church members giving so freely of their time. In addition to Donna Barrier, Linda Fitts, wife of  Brian Fitts, Director of YES Music for Casual Worship, and Church Administrator Jane Sharpe were there. It was a special treat when Director of Music Ministries Dr. Bill Allred came in to practice the organ. We left with enough information for at least a month of Sundays!

If you are looking for a church that will be a spiritual home, this inviting, social-justice-minded gem of a church in the Kirkwood neighborhood is a good one to consider.

Happy Sunday!

Greensboro's Four Area Codes

The above photo was taken at Design Archives in Downtown Greensboro on South Elm Street. We are always looking for items of historic interest  from Greensboro. The above cup "GUILFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES' CREDIT UNION" (GCECU) fascinated us. We tried to research the credit union. So far, we have been unable to find a lead to this specific credit union. We'd love to know how long that credit union was in business, where the branches were located, and what replaced it. The next step was to sleuth out area codes, which change as population grows. Here is what we learned.

Area codes were first assigned in the United States in 1947. At that time, all of North Carolina was assigned area code 704. In 1954, as the population in the state grew, another zip code was added. The Greensboro area code became 919.  The 919 area code was used in Greensboro from 1954 until 1993. Therefore, GCECU, on the cup above ( in the window of Design Archives), was in existence sometime in that 38 year time period. In 1993, Greensboro's area code switched to 910 and on December 15, 1997, a mere four years later, the area code switched to 336 and so it remains to this day. So, to recap, seeing a Greensboro phone number on an item can help you date it.

704    1947- 1953

919    1954-1992

910    1993- most of 1997

336    1997- today

Since April 23, 2016, using the 10-digit phone number has been mandatory for users of the 336 area code. Maybe you didn't get out of bed this morning planning to learn about Greensboro's area codes, but now you have it. Which area codes have you had?  This post is brought to you thanks to a hard plastic cup for sale in Downtown Greensboro. 

Happy Thursday!

Sears Demolition Is Well Under Way- 2024

2024 has been a year of change in Greensboro. We already showed you a photo of the razing of the News & Record building downtown. Today's photo is of demolition in progress Sears in Friendly Center at 3200 West Friendly Avenue. This is the east side with the main entrance. When it closed in 2023, the Friendly Center store was the last remaining Sears store in North Carolina. Nationally, Sears has roots dating back to 1892 (see history HERE). The year 1928 was a banner year for Sears in North Carolina when the first Sears opened in North Carolina. In that year, Sears stores opened in Greensboro, High Point, Asheville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem- a year before the stock market crashed. In Greensboro, Sears relocated in 1934, 1940, 1948, and 1973.*

Sears remained in Friendly Center for fifty years, from 1973- 2023. In 2012, Whole Foods took over part of the Sears building in Friendly. At one point, there was discussion of renovation of the above building, but as it stands now, it looks like it may be headed for total demolition. D.H. Griffin has the contract. We are wondering how they will address the common wall, shared by Whole Foods and Sears. While we are sad to see this business close, it is always refreshing when a lot gets rebuilt, as opposed to destroying unimproved, rural land.

What Sears memories do you have? Likely it will date us, but yes, we have great memories of looking through the Sears catalog to pick out school clothes and Christmas toys. We remember going to the catalog department and picking up (and returning) items for our grandparents and parents. For many, there is some real nostalgia associated with Sears. Here's to new beginnings.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*read the timeline for Sears stores in North Carolina HERE.

Dismantling The News & Record Building 2024

Today, we wanted to share another view of the back side of the former News & Record building. This close-up shows the extensive metal that was used in the building.  We would love to see Jim Gallucci make a sculpture out of some of this rubble. Does anyone know about the green metal doors, seen above? They are intriguing; as are all of the gears, which likely had something to do with printing presses In this closeup, you can see former offices. Also, on the right, you see one of several I-beams. This is a lot of history of a bygone era.

We've got to find a way to read local news and get people writing it. Triad City Beat, Yes Weekly, and the Carolina Peacemaker are three of our lifelines now. As of 2018, Rhino Times ceases publication. The printing of the News & Record moved to Winston-Salem in 2017.  Please continue to read it and send in letters, editorials, and articles for print. It is so important for us to hear from people in our community. How do you get your local news?

News & Record, Going But Not Forgotten

The weekend started with acclaimed author and journalist, James McBride praising the fine journalism in Greensboro. The weekend ended with our heading over to see what was left of the Greensboro News & Record Building on East Market Street. The front of the building is still intact, but demolition is well under way on the back side. You can still see office space from this back view. Demolition should be finished by the end of the summer. While the newspaper traces its roots back to the late 1800s, the above building was completed in 1976. After 48 years, with the diminished state of print journalism in the digital era, no longer needed were the above in-person think tank and printing presses. D.H. Griffin began demolition on 4/22/24. They are the local company that played a major role in clean up after the 911 tragedy in New York City. 

While on site, we noticed pieces of steel I-beams, chunks of bricks and cement, and many interesting metal pieces (e.g., several small metal doors that looked like facades of safes). After resuming our walk along South Elm Street, we visited Sculptor Jim Gallucci's 9/11 Sculpture Project on at the South 500 block of Elm. It is crafted from beams that D.H. Griffin brought back from NYC. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a sculpture commemorating 130 years of noteworthy journalism in Greensboro. The I-beams are still there and could be figured into a sculpture. As we were leaving, we noticed a piece of the Sunday comics in the rubble. It was on that thick paper and the color was intact. Sometimes you don't realize what you miss until it is gone. We look forward to seeing what becomes of the space.

Happy Monday!

Greensboro History Museum, Former First Presbyterian Church

Yesterday, the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival held sessions at the Greensboro History Museum. Formerly, the History Museum was the First Presbyterian Church. Seeing this view of the entrance of the museum, filled with people, reminded us of what it must have looked like when the building was a church. It was built in 1892, 84 years after Greensboro was established. First Presbyterian relocated to 617 North Elm Street in 1929.

One of the sessions held in the history museum was, "Calling on Ancestors: Writing the Past into the Present." Tyree Daye, Zelda Lockhart, and David Nicholson shared stories of ancestors across generations. The presentation seemed perfect for the history museum where past meets present on a daily basis. The audience listening to  the session in the intimate auditorium is not unlike what it must have felt like to attend a church sermon in the building. The space is a Greensboro treasure.

Happy Sunday!

Now on North Battleground at Old Battleground: Mavis Tires and Brakes

 

North Battleground, at Horse Pen Creek and Old Battleground, now has a Harris Teeter Gas Station, an O'Reilly Auto Parts Store, and the above Mavis Tires and Brakes. These properties are located in the area that housed Laddie and Duke's Family Grille.* Laddie and Duke's was an Irish Pub themed establishment with a lot of atmosphere, right down to a cozy stone fireplace. Laddie and Duke's was open from about 1996- to 2008. In Irish Pub fashion, it was one of those places that seemed like it would be anchored on that corner forever. It is a new day on North Battleground Avenue with many shops offering auto parts and tires. And now, there are many more food choices in town, in Mid-Town, and the east side is showing growth. Friendly Center, and Wendover Avenue remain popular destinations for dining out. 

Do you have a go to restaurant? What do you look for in an eating establishment? Given the above photo, we should also ask, how do you decide where to purchase tires? The above branch of Mavis opened this year. However, the company was founded in 1972 by the Sober family and now has about 1,200 stores throughout the northeast USA.**

Today's post has us thinking of then and now and in the future. We're wondering what another decade will bring to Greensboro. What are your predictions?

Have a great Thursday!

*If you are interested in a little Greensboro nostalgia, read here for a News & Record article about Laddie and Duke's from 1996, about the time they opened. They even mention menu items.

** reference and more information here.

Double Oaks

Double Oaks is a beauty of an Air B&B, located at the corner of Friendly Avenue and North Mendenhall Street. The last we heard, this turn-of-the-century colonial revival mansion was still for sale. James and Amanda Keith have owned the property since 2016 and it appears they are ready to move on. According to the Double Oaks website, the young couple is also restoring the NuWray Hotel in Burnsville, NC. Built in 1833, it is said to be North Carolina's oldest continually-operating hotel. From casual to elegant, they hold so many events here. Hopefully, the new owners will be as community oriented as the current ones. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from Greensboro College and UNCG and right across the street from the First Baptist Church, the Air B&B surely stays busy. At least, we hope so. Stop by this morning for a cup of Borough Coffee and have a look at this gem of a place.

Happy Wednesday!

Nostalgic Display in Design Archives

What, if anything, do you collect? Nostalgia can be a big factor. Some people like iconic designs like the above display at Design Archives, a consignment shop for handmade and vintage items, located in the 300 block of South Elm Street. The store attracts quite a crowd, especially  on weekends when people come downtown to eat and spend time with friends. When we were in Design Archives recently a young couple (perhaps early 30s) was perusing the booths and stopped to look at the above items. One commented that his grandmother had a phone just like the red one. And the conversation continued about other items they'd seen in their childhood. 

Meanwhile, there were other young shoppers trying on vintage clothing, looking for sweatshirts with just the right slogan, and perusing vintage record albums. Even if you don't collect anything, vintage stores are a way of connecting with the past and helping us realize just how much society has changed. The younger generations cannot fathom a time when conversations were tethered by a phone cord. Displays like the one above are such great conversation starters. If you had to write a short story based on the things you see in the above photo, imagine the possibilities. Other spots that evoke other times are Elsewhere Museum in the 600 block of South Elm Street, and Reconsidered Goods, located on Spring Garden Street behind the Food Lion on Market Street. We hope you had a good weekend, with some time set aside to nurture your creativity.

Happy Monday!

Strolling along South Mendenhall Street on a Sunny Spring Afternoon

We realize we've been featuring a lot of buildings and houses lately, but the temperature topped 80º yesterday, We just had to walk. We spent time in College Hill, near Friendly and Market. The above photo is of 102 South Mendenhall, The Wilson-Andrews House, a beauty of a home built in 1859. It is believed to be only one of 12 homes in Greensboro, remaining standing, and built before 1880.*

When built, the house was originally a single family dwelling, built by Rev. Wilson who bought the land from the Bumpass family. Over the years, the home has had several exterior enhancements, like the bay windows and the addition of decorative woodwork.   The home has long been divvied up into student apartments. However, the current owners have spared no expense with that elaborate, exterior paint job. That orange color is a stand out. Also, as hinted in today's photo, the landscaping is nice with camellias still in bloom and azaleas popping out.  This is the time of year when the scenery changes weekly. Please get out and explore Greensboro. Let us know what you find.

Happy Tuesday!

*read more in the News & Record article from 1990.

Hal & Eleanor Minnock-Pugh

To celebrate International Women's History Month, the UNC Greensboro University Libraries hosted a Book Talk & Signing by Hal E. Pugh and Eleanor Minnock-Pugh. After twenty-five years of researching and writing, they published the book, "Naomi "Omie" Wise: Her Life, Death and Legend."  The event, held in the Oakley Room at the Alumni House at UNCG, the event was free and open to the public. Naomi "Omie" Wise was a young woman from Randolph County, North Carolina who was born in or before 1789 and was murdered in 1807. Her murder resulted in a trial that was held in Guilford County and in the end, the suspect was acquitted due to nothing more than circumstantial evidence. This murder happened in an era when news spread through newspapers, books, and oral tradition. The case generated much interest.  Many of the details of the murder are derived from the 147 various texts and fragments appearing about the case. Hal Pugh was intrigued by the case because he is related to the family back 5 generations. 

One of the most famous ballads about Naomi Wise is Bob Dylan's 1961 version. However, we likely owe all of the information about Naomi Wise to the great storytelling in North Carolinian Braxton Craven's 1851 book, "Naomi Wise, or the Victim." However, the Pughs say if the truth is a straight road, Braxton Craven's version was a curvy, embellished one. However, the story has endured for 217 years. If you read the Pughs' book, you will not only learn about a North Carolina woman whose story only endures because of her horrific demise, you will learn how meticulous research unfolds. The Pughs told us they are glad the research lasted for twenty-five years, because in recent years so many records and pieces of archival material have been made available through the internet, making it possible for them to search documents and records without having to travel hundreds of miles. In their spare time, when not research and writing about Naomi Wise, the Pughs are busy producing original redware and stoneware pottery.

The Greensboro community is lucky to have access to university-sponsored events like this one.

Happy Friday!

Bird's Eye View of the City of Greensboro

Out sleuthing yesterday, we found this map of Greensboro that dates to 1891. The year of the map was 83 years after Greensboro became a city (1808) and it has a been 133 years since that map was produced. A lot has happened in 133 years. We know this wouldn't have been an original map, but were curious about its origin. It looks like this map was scanned or downloaded from the Library of Congress Digital Collection. At least at one time, it may have been available through the Greensboro History Museum. They have a .jpg available for download. It features prominent buildings as well as the network of streets and trains. Also noteworthy is the amount of green space. So many of the streets have changed. On the digital copy that we've linked to below, you can zoom in and see details. As you look around on the Gateway map collection, you will see that they have maps of Greensboro from many different decades.

The digital era has transformed archives and access to information. But, there is still a need for people and organizations to store digital information, as information can disappear with a click of a button. We hope you enjoy linking through and looking at some of the maps

Happy Thursday!

* see here for map available for download.

Black History Month Sunset

Closing out Black History Month, with an extra day this leap year, we find ourselves on the stairs of the Historic Dudley Memorial Building. It was originally the administration building on the campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NC A&T). It was built in 1930, making it close to 100 years old. It is a beautiful brick building that now houses the University Galleries. The architectural style of the building is Neoclassical Revival; you can see the columns peeking on the outer edge of the photo. While the building isn't visible here, what is in view is the back of the 2001  Barnhill monument, February One ( also known as The A&T Four Monument). The four men here are remembered for their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and the Sit-Ins. On February 1, 1960, they walked from campus to take their place at the Woolworth lunch counter to the west of campus.

While the sun is setting in the photo, the shadows are long, and Black History Month is coming to a close, let us hope the journey towards a just and fair world will continue. 

Happy Leap Day!

East White Oak Community Center

Yesterday, we posted on the Freedom Fridges at the East White Oak Community Center on 10th Street in northeast Greensboro. Today, we thought we'd take you inside this wooden building that has played a significant role in this community for over 100 years. We're not sure about the artwork. The mural on the left looks like a work in progress. If you are local, you probably know the people on the right. Those wooden floorboards in this hallway look like they've seen a lot of traffic over the last century plus. When it opened in 1916, it was originally a school house for the children of African-American workers at Cone Mills textiles. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. David Richmond, one of the NC A&T Four grew up in this neighborhood.

If you want a tour of the David Richmond Resource Room, the Mill Village Exhibition, or other parts of this historic property, you can call them at 336-274-4555 or you can email them at [email protected]. There is so much outreach that happens at this community center. And, now with the food pantry, in a part of town with much food insecurity, it will play and even more pivotal role. 

Happy Monday!

Freedom Fridges

Usually, we post something religious or spiritual on Sundays. Yesterday, we had a chance to attend the installation of the Freedom Fridge at White Oak Community Center on 10th Street. While people do have church services here, its primary function is not a house of worship. It is a community center where people come together to help each other, giving what they can, is pretty spiritual. The Freedom Fridge was stocked to the gills with staples. The pantry to the right is stocked with items not needing refrigeration. The food items are open to the public and is open 24 hours. It is not under lock and key. 

A free market was held in conjunction with the unveiling of the refrigerator and pantry. The front lawn and community center were filled with items- mostly clothing- for people to take for free. There were many beautiful items coming in and out of the center, with plenty left at 3:00 pm when the event closed. 10th street, just down the street from Channel 2, WFMY News, was hopping all day yesterday.  If you want to see a thriving piece of Greensboro history, head to the White Oak Community Center. It dates back to 1916, when this area was a thriving textile mill village, built for African-American employees of Cone Mills. Today, it is community owned and operates as a 501 (c)3 non profit. Revenue is generated through grants and rentals for community events.  We love what is said about the community center on their website, "(p)eople come here to be part of a community." 

Happy Sunday!

ITG Brands

Sometimes, driving around Greensboro looking for something to post on Greensboro Daily Photo feels like sleuthing. We were driving on Green Valley Road on a recent afternoon when the sun was low to the horizon and the cement and glass building above was shining brightly. We stopped to have a look and there was no sign of what happens in that building. We did notice the sign on the entrance said "ITG Brands".  Returning home, we were able to research and learn that it stands for Imperial Tobacco Group. In 2015, Lorillard was one of four cigarette brands that divested to Imperial Tobacco Group. Lorillard, a tobacco company that was established in 1875, was sold to Reynolds in 2015. ITG has absorbed so much North Carolina, and Greensboro, tobacco history and it is now located at 714 Green Valley Road.

On the day we visited recently, the building looked almost empty. According to Triad Business Journal, ITG Brands is selling the building. Their headquarters will take over the top floors of a nearby building (reference). What will become of 714? According to City Data records, the building was constructed in 1996 (reference). It seems older than 28 years old. We wonder what will move in. The location is convenient and there is plenty of parking. What do you think it should become? It would be so much fun to have an apartment in that round part.

Happy Thursday!