Greensboro Daily Photo

This Old House... 2101 Oak Ridge Road

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

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

Halloween Is in the Air

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

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

Highway 150 Near Kernersville

If you've driven along Highway 150 between Greensboro and Kernersville, you've noticed a lot of changes. Out near County Line Road, lights have been added and streets widened. The above house has been at the edge of a big open field for decades; now, however, it is no longer. It will be interesting to monitor what will go up in its place. The weekend is such a great time to drive around the more rural parts of Guilford County and, in many cases, what was rural, is not su rural any more. We'll keep you posted on what goes up in the place of this house; unless, you have ideas and can share now. Here's to a great weekend for everyone!

Madison Avenue: A Beautiful Home on a Beautiful Street

Madison Avenue is a very long, residential street in Greensboro. It extends from North Josephine Boyd Street near UNCG, through Sunset Hills, gets interrupted by Wendover Avenue, then resumes through the Starmount neighborhood, crosses Holden Road, and, finally, becomes Starmount Drive at the Starmount Forest Country Club and Hamilton Lakes Park. The journey from the 1700 block to the 3900 block is 2 1/2 miles; and lovely miles at that.

This above house on Madison Avenue is located near Brentwood and Holden roads in the 4600 block. This lovely painted brick house is representative of many of the homes and lawns in the Starmount neighborhood section of Madison. It has a lush green lawn, lots of mature trees, and is a very nicely maintained home. At four bedrooms and five bathrooms brick, it is very roomy and very possibly has added on to since being built in 1955. The house and lawn have been so nicely maintained over the last 65 years. 

Madison Avenue is a lovely, fun street regardless of where one lives on it. However, pay attention if someone tells you they live on Madison Avenue. You can be in for a surprise from the ins and outs of the street as it winds through the city! If you want a little bit of midweek fun, start on one end of Madison and follow it from one end to another. According to online driving estimates, the drive is about six minutes.

The Eagle Ridge Neighborhood of Greensboro

Today's photo is a house on Eagle Downs Way, in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood. Eagle Ridge is a new community built off of Pleasant Ridge Road, on the east side of Highway 68. The four bedroom, four bath house was built in 2017. Built on nearly an acre, it fits right in with this neighborhood of large, recently-built homes. This property seems to be different by the barn in the back yard. It isn't clear from the street view it it is part of the above property. That cozy front porch looks like it would be a great place to use for socializing with neighbors. While this particular house isn't currently for sale, a few on the street are available. It you are looking for a large home in a quiet neighborhood, this area could be a good fit.

The house looks so inviting. Happy Thursday! Stop back tomorrow for an O.Henry feature to close out the week!

Cozy Little House On Bruce Street

Bruce Street is a tiny, mixed-use street off of Spring Garden, just east of Elam, where the house featured today is located. This two bedroom one bath home, built in 1925 has probably been student rental since it was last purchased in 2002. We're featuring it today, because it reminds us of what people do to make a house a home. Especially during these times when everyone is spending so much more time at home, it is important to have a place that makes you feel cozy.

Imagine everything students have been going through, needing to do all coursework online and not being able to go to campus. A big part of the college experience is the very act of spending time on campus. The prayer flags and the swinging, nest chair say a lot about the people in this home. Especially, given the way the trees are dappled with sunlight, the yard gives the feeling of a remove haven; when, in reality, it is less than a mile from campus. Happy Monday! Here's to us all finding our happy spot!

Bright and Inviting Bungalow on Percy Street

Percy Street is located in the Dunleath Neighborhood of Greensboro (Formerly the Aycock Historic District). It is just off of Yanceyville Street and North of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. The homes a mixture of Victorian and bungalow styles are well maintained and really reflect the personality of the owner. The above home, with its generous front porch with a rocking chair and porch swing, arbor, wind chimes, and lush plantings are a good example of the warm and inviting atmosphere of the street. The pink, blue, and purple paint make this home a standout. The home has changed so much since the current owners purchased it in 2009. Formerly it was brown and white with pink azaleas in front of the porch. This bungalow style home built is 1937 is close to the Yanceyville end of Percy Street and one of the first things you notice as you approach the area.

If you look closely, you can see that it was raining rather hard in east Greensboro this past Sunday, when the photo was taken. The planting is so lush, we could hold the camera under it without its getting wet. It must be super relaxing to be able to sit on that porch during a summer rain. Hopefully, you have a cozy spot to sit and enjoy a summer rain. If the weather app is correct, we just may be getting some rain tomorrow.

In the meantime, have a great day today.

Urban Gardening on Oak St in Glenwood

Here is an example of urban gardening at its finest. This home is located on Oak Street in the Glenwood neighborhood and just south of Gate City Boulevard. While many people have their gardens in the backyard, this one is in the front for maximum sun exposure. The terraced plots get a lot of sun during the day and are reaping crops and flowers for the owners. Imagine the conversations that happen as people walk by and get updates while the owners are gardening. We'll have to stop back by and see what is growing along the half-oval trellises.

Also notice the tin roof, on a rainy night it must be super cozy to hear the sounds of the raindrops. You can tell that a lot of love has gone into making this house a home. Happy Saturday! For those who are grading, including the above family, may your crops be bountiful!

Beautiful Farm on Bethel Church Road

Weekends are a great time to explore the back roads of Guilford County. There are still so many beautiful properties here. This farm, owned by the Wright family on Bethel Church Road is no exception. The farm with horses, sunflowers adorning an outbuilding, and a fabulous fence is located between between Bethel Presbyterian Church and Gibsonville. Country living has its challenges, but it also comes with its beautiful aspects. Just look!

Bethel Church Road will get you from Eastern High School into Gibsonville without needing to get back out on Highway 70. It is fun to drive these roads, just to see what people are out doing, what they have in their yards, what color they paint their accent door, and what buildings remain from decades ago. We hope to get to meet the Wrights someday. Indeed, they seem to be living the good live, a good blend between the old time ways and modern living.

Happy Saturday, everyone.

Life On Carlson Terrace

Greensboro has some really beautiful neighborhoods, streets, and homes. Today's photo is of a home at Carlson Terrace. Carlson Terrace is a single street neighborhood that parallels Horse Pen Creek Road at Carlson Dairy Road. The homes on this street back up to the Greensboro Country Club- Farm Course. It is as if the golf course is your own yard. If a homeowner were a country club member, golf, tennis, and swimming would be merely a short walk away.The above brick home, painted white with its street-side courtyard, evokes the architectural style of Charleston, South Carolina. The homes in the neighborhood were built in about 2007. 

The Carlson Farms area and country club were developed by Carl Ivan Carlson, Jr.. Mr. Carlson was a philanthropist and lifelong resident of Greensboro. He died in 2013 at the age of 98. Mr. Carlson, lived a few houses down from this property. He left quite a legacy of beautiful properties in the eponymous neighborhood.

Spring Has Arrived to Ridgeway Drive

In the winter, Ridgeway Drive in Sunset Hills wows carloads of people with the lighted, wire balls up in the trees. In the spring, the Christmas decorations are long gone and the lawns are filled with the flowers and foliage. So many people walk on this street because it is so beautiful.

This residential neighborhood west of downtown and beside Friendly Center dates back to the 1920s. There is also a park and community tennis court in the neighborhood. Many houses, when sold, get significant additions. To be sure, the neighborhood has retained its great sense of community and its residential charm. If you are looking for ideas of how to add curb appeal to your yard, this is a great neighborhood to visit to get ideas!

 

Lindley Park Beauty on Walker Avenue

This 2405 Walker Avenue beauty was built in 1939. It is the epitome of curb appeal. Just look at that entrance. There is no doubt about the location of the entry. The path, hedges, and arched entranceway lead you there. As your eye moves to the left, you see a cozy front porch that is open, yet secluded.

Lindley Park is known for its diversity in the architectural styles of homes. As a neighborhood, Lindley Park dates back to the early 20th century. As homes were built in this 645 acre area just west of downtown, many homes followed architectural trends of each wave of construction. If you want to learn more about this beautiful neighborhood, read their plan here. If you want to see this beautiful house, start at the corner of Walker and Elam and walk a few blocks west. Happy Wednesday!

Life on Princeton Avenue

Today's feature is a home on Princeton Avenue, a neighborhood in Greensboro where many of the streets are named after Ivy League schools. It is also near Lindley Park and the area where John Van Lindley had his his Pomona tile factory. The easiest way to access it is to turn behind the Sheetz Gas Station on Market Street. The neighborhood has so much character with quite a variety of single family dwellings. This house, at 4303 is one of the largest ones in the neighborhood. It was built in 1925 and still has much of the original charm, yet with modern updates, including an expansive deck and yard that is ofer 1/2 an acre.

We stumbled on it when in search of a friend's house who lives on Princeton Avenue and on some days puts giant googley-eyes around the yard to help lift everyone's spirits. The day we were there, the googley-eyes had been taken down because it had rained. At least we got to discover the above beauty. We hope you have a good weekend in beautiful Greensboro- or beyond (if you are one of our readers from elsewhere). Oh, the wondrous things out there to see when we have the time to notice.

Palm Sunday on Bach Terrace

^{It is hard to believe on this holiest of seasons for Christians, people are having to self-distance and stay home. Sadly, Easter services will needed to be celebrated at home this year. As you drive around Greensboro, it is interesting, and touching, the way people display their faith. This house, just off North Church Street on Bach Terrace, has a painted, wooden Jesus. To be sure, they will be mindful that today is Palm Sunday. Hopefully, they have internet service or cable and can participate virtually. People seem to be finding ways to keep in touch with their school, work, and religious communities during this quarantine.}

^{On another note, thank you to the readers yesterday who helped us solve the mystery of that ugly ball on a cedar tree. Susan Johnston likened it to pictures of the corona virus. JE and Tom Davis accurately identified this cedar/apple rust fungus. Maybe we'll have to seek out more "what is it" curiosities to publish! In the meantime, Happy almost Easter and almost Passover, dear readers.}

Night Sky Over Greensboro

By day and by night, the sky has been so beautiful in Greensboro this past week. The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro about 8:30, just as it was about dark. You can see that stars are starting to appear. Stars are even more visible with less light pollution as of late. The mature trees on the above lot are representative of so many properties in Greensboro. 

Tonight is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. While we can't stroll the streets for ourselves, businesses are getting creative about ways to deliver to homes. And, not just restaurants are delivering. If you have a go-to downtown store, it is worth calling and seeing if they can bring something fun to you. Remember to support local businesses. Remember to admire our beautiful city- even at night!

House at 203 Chapman

Chapman Street is a lovely street that crosses over West Market Street at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. The above photo is a house right beside the church. It shows that daffodils are abloom in Greensboro. The stone house has a lovely screened-in front porch. It is a good example of the style and size of houses in that neighborhood. It is also an example of landscaping- large, mature trees and beds of ivy and flowers. 

This 2,645 square ft. house was built in 1935 and hasn't sold since 1980. It seems, that whoever lives there works hard to keep it updated and beautiful. Happy Friday! It should be a great weekend to do yard work!

Quonset Hut and Property

Driving around Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield, is a very curious property and it is currently for sale. The above photo features the lovely ironwork gate at the front of the property. Just beyond the gate in a quonset hut. Possibly it could be a home, or a warehouse, or storage. Beside it is another building that could possibly be the house. Somewhere on the property is a tiny home (under 1,000 sq. feet) built in 1938. The lot is around two acres.

In 2010, the owners applied to get the property rezoned so that they could put a riding academy on site. We're not sure what became of that venture, but, to be sure, this property has lots of possibilities and could be lots of fun. It is just waiting for someone creative to come along and help it reach its potential. 3818 Oak Ridge Road at Draper Drive. It is so fun to drive around and dream!

Charming House in Summerfield

This house is located on Highway 150/Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield at Draper Drive. This is only the side view, the front side is equally charming. This single family home, built in 1902,  must be inhabited by someone who loves the old time ways. Sitting on the porch on an almost-spring day and talking to friends and neighbors about the way the area was 115 years ago when the home was built. The Moravian star in front of the door looks so charming at night and is a not to the Moravian community so prominent here.

If you have the time to drive, and park, and walk, and look, the houses, historic markers, and other interesting sights along 150/Oak Ridge Road are so worth a look. We especially love the homes with markers so that you can read about the provenance. In the meantime, we're just going to imagine that we're sitting on this porch talking about what we're going to plant in the garden and when the robins will return. Happy Tuesday!

Another View from Lewiston Road: A Country Mailbox

Remember those country mailboxes where the owners of the property took great care to decorate their mailboxes? The above mailbox was seen on Lewiston Road (not too far from the little green house and the property with the tire-on-a-post. It shows a charming tradition from yesteryear. People took great care to ensure that the mailbox reflected the personality of the people within. A fish mailbox, where the mail person has to open the mouth of the widemouth bass to insert the mail, provides evidence that a fisherman lives on the property.

Today's mailbox features purple and yellow flowers with monarch butterflies landing on them. Have you ever noticed in nature that usually where there are purple wildflowers, yellow wildflowers are nearby? Purple and yellow are complementary/opposite colors. Even in the wild, opposites attract. Likely, the person who painted this mailbox has observed the behavior of flowers and butterflies in nature. And, this custom mailbox on Lewiston Road makes it easy for visitors to know which house they are looking for. "Just turn off when you see the black mailbox with flowers and butterflies painted on it."

How do you describe your own abode to visitors?

Still on Lewiston Road: Tiny Hidden House

Yesterday, we posted about an adventure along Lewiston Road. Today, we share another photo on Lewiston Road. Lewiston stretches from Fleming Road to Pleasant Ridge Road at Carlson Dairy Road in northwest Guilford County. The above house is set back and not visible from the road. The only hint is a "no trespassing" sign.

This lovely, little green home is so representative of tiny country houses from the early part of the 20th century. While small, it was well maintained, had a cozy front porch, and plenty of land and mature trees around it. Likely, this house will soon be replaced by a housing development. However, if it were ever offered for sale, even as-is, it would be perfect for weekend get-aways, even for people already live in Greensboro. Who's in?!!!

This Old House

 

Do you ever go out exploring in find old homes that look like someone really love them at one time, but now they seem abandoned? This old house is located on Mount Hope Church Road in the eastern end of the county. It is not too far off the road, and is definitely showing signs of wear; however, There is a chair on the cozy front porch and it just looks like it is waiting for someone to come and try it out.

The house looks as if it is abandoned and just waiting to be torn down. Surely, those walls have lots of stories to tell. There is even a Facebook page for abandoned structures in North Carolina. Wondering if this little Greensboro place has made that list. Happy Tuesday!

Tree Pruning

Now is the time when just about everything is dormant in Greensboro, except maybe those hellebores  that are chomping at the bit to  bloom.  The above photo show a  home at Katie Drive where some tree work is being done.  It is the perfect  time to check the health  of trees  and to  prune them  as  needed.  When no  leaves are  on  the trees, it is easy to  see  where trimming is needed. Most tree companies have arborists  who are trained to  help you maintain  the health  of the trees on your property. They can  determine whether the best choice is to preserve, trim, or remove,  so that you don't have  the dreadful  of clearing a tree that has done  damage. From canopy to  roots,  and everything  in  between, every  part of a tree plays a crucial part  in helping it stay healthy.

Do you  have trees in your yard? Is  there anywhere you could plant a tree or two. After all, trees go  a long way  to helping  birds and other animals thrive. Trees help  keep the green  in Greensboro. This thought evokes a Chinese proverb...  "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The  second best time is  now. "

The Chandler Suite

One of the added perks of attending the arts and crafts show at the Double Oaks Bed and Breakfast this past weekend was getting to tour the property itself. One of the artists encouraged us to tour the third floor and today's photo features the Chandler Suite on the top floor. According to the B&Bs website, the Chandler is named for the first car owned by the Martin family, the original owners of the home- a 1917 Chandler.

The suite is actually half of the living space on the top floor of the property. It is open, airy, and has a luxurious, 21st-century bathroom. The Westerwood, named for the neighborhood, is right across the hall. The open space in the middle houses the artist in residence.

Double Oaks is a fine example of how young entrepreneurs are turning their dreams into reality and loving the life they are living. If you have friends or family coming to town, consider booking them a room at Double Oaks. If you aren't afraid of stairs, the Chandler is well worth the climb! Happy Wednesday!

Homes Along Lawndale

There is one block on Lawndale, around Rosecrest and between the Target plaza and the shops at Cornwallis that is all residential. The homes are about the same size but vary in age and style. At one time, the area seemed far from town and rather rural. Now, the homes are still charming, but appear to be a holdover from an earlier era. 

The above brick home used to have a giant oak tree in the front yard. The stump is about 6 feet in diameter. It may have been damaged from a recent storm. Hopefully, the owners will plant something in its place so the community can watch it mature over the upcoming decades. In the meantime, we sure have a good view of this charming home.

Happy Thursday! Tomorrow is First Friday and the Festival of Lights in downtown Greensboro. Hope to see you there!

House on the Corner of Oak & McCormick

This single-family house in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro is charming and represents the old south. The large front porch looks so cozy and must be a real refuge for the residents on warm days. The red tin roof really makes the house stand out against the white exterior and the bright blue sky. The natural, scruffiness of the yard is actually much healthier for the environment than a manicured lawn.

The Glenwood neighborhood came into being at the beginning of the 20th century and actually had trolley service. Glenwood was one of Greensboro's early planned residential neighborhoods. The above house, built in 1945, at the end of World War II, is a bit younger than many of the properties. With those mature oaks behind it, this home is just begging for an artist to paint it!

Körner's Folly

If you are local to Greensboro and celebrate Christmas, you will want to visit Körner's Folly at 413 S. Main Street in Kernersville. The intriguingly quirky brick house is full of surprises in every room. Plus, local decorators have been called in to compete for "best of show" since a different design team has decorated each room.

Julie Gilmer Körner built the house in 1880 and some rooms in Körner's Folly look more typical of Victorian homes. Other rooms are long and narrow with 5 1/2 ft. ceilings. Many paths to the next level in this 3 1/2-story home consist of two and a half ft. wide stairways. The grand finale is an in-home theatre on the top level, believed to have been the first in America. While you are there, don't forget to vote for the room with the best decorations. And remember, the foyer and the theatre are breathing, but there are other spectacular views, like the one above, sandwiched in between the first and last rooms. Even children have a good time as they look down in the stairwell, participate in the scavenger hunt, and take a spin on the stage! 

Thanksgiving 2019

Finding Thanksgiving "spirit" houses is not nearly as easy as finding yards celebrating Halloween and Christmas. However, there is one great home on the westernmost edge of Kirkwood at 2306 North Lawndale Drive. These houses, just north of Rosecrest Drive have made a real effort to create a sense of community. The above single-family home was built in 1947.

Today, we hope you have a chance to gather and celebrate family, friends, life, and fellowship. May you have a great Thanksgiving, and, if you drive along Lawndale drive, look for the single family dwelling with a yard full of thankfulness.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Dunleath Neighborhood

The Dunleath Historic District is so diverse. You can find people in all walks of life at this neighborhood, formerly known as Aycock. The above photo, taken a couple of weeks ago is of a resident cooking Cajun food on a grill on the front lawn and, oh how great it smelled.

Hopefully, you will have a little time to drive around and enjoy the beauty of Greensboro this weekend. If you are at the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, take a little detour around the Dunleath neighborhood. To be sure, people are friendly and they take a lot of pride in the neighborhood. Read the fabulous history of the Dunleath neighborhood, here!

Park Avenue Beauty

Today's sweet little home is located on Park Avenue in the Dunleath neighborhood (Formerly Aycock Historic District). The Park Avenue/Yanceyville area is just a block away from the Greensboro Curb Market and the old War Memorial Stadium. According to online real estate sources, this three bedroom, two bathroom home was build in 1996. That turquoise house is such a pop of color if you aren't expecting it. It was especially beautiful this past Saturday when the sun was out and shining brightly.

Many of the homes in this historic neighborhood are over 100 years old. Likely, this home has been rebuilt. Over the last few years, this neighborhood has really increased in price. A one-story home like this one is very appealing, especially for people who want to be close to town.

910 Walker Avenue

This house at 910 Walker Avenue, between Tate and Mendenhall Streets is a vintage beauty. For having been built in 1906, it still maintains quite a bit of charm over a century later. Although it has a yard that looks overgrown, as you walk by, the yard has the feel of a micro-prairie. Not all cultures and not all decades favored the manicured lawns that are expected in many neighborhoods today.

Urban micro prairies are valuable green space because they attract native insects and pollinators.* As Greensboro and Guilford County lose more and more land to housing developments, it is crucial that we be purposeful with flora to help fauna. The more prairie-like spaces with wildflowers, shrubs, and trees, also help with erosion and help lower temperatures in the summer. As fall rolls in, if you are considering planting, consider adding some native plants to your yard. If you want inspiration, seek out yards like 910 Walker Avenue and see them close up. Hurry, before old-man winter keeps us inside!

 

*reference and more information here. Also, NC State and NC A&T can help with making lawns attractive without over-relying on grass (see, here).

Music Porch on North Mendenhall Street

As promised, today is the close up of yesterday's photo of music on the porch at 405 North Mendenhall Street in Westerwood. The 1922 Craftsman style home has a front porch that works well for playing music for the neighborhood. The above quartet of saxophones played everything from "I'll Fly Away" to "I Like to Be in America" from West Side Story to classical/jazz. Anyone who walked by was treated to a free concert. And many people stayed for a whole set.

It is people who make a neighborhood great and music is known to be therapeutic. Westerwood has great people and talented musicians; this neighborhood is, indeed great. May the concerts continue and the people continue to be welcoming! Happy Tuesday! 

Tomorrow is the Art and Sole Artists' Event in Westerwood!

Tomorrow is the first Saturday in October, which means that it is time for the annual Art & Sole art event in the Westerwood neighborhood in Greensboro. Located between West Friendly Avenue, North Josephine Boyd Street, and Benjamin Parkway, Westerwood is a neighborhood filled with artists and people who take great pride in their neighborhood. The above house is an example of both. The architecture and landscaping is stunning and, as you can see in the front yard, this house will be a stop on the self-guided, walking art tour this year.

Thanks to potter, Ann Lynch, for ten years, artists of Westerwood have opened their studios to the public. This year, about 20 artists will participate. If you're in the market to purchase pottery or original art, or to just get out for a stroll in a neighborhood that has been charming since its construction in the 1920's, this is the event for you. See you there sometime between 10am and 5pm! You can find the stops under westerwoodartandsole on Facebook. 211 Hillcrest Drive is listed as stop #1. Start there, or, just to to Cortland Street, Fairmont Street, North Mendenhall, or Crestland, and you will be well on your way! 

La maison française

Driving around the neighborhoods of Greensboro is so much fun. The above house is located on Robin Hood Drive, in the community between EarthFare and Bryan Boulevard. This house, a typical design for Greensboro in the 1990's, has been dubbed the French House. As you can see, the French flag is prominently displayed. Also, the shutters are painted the same blue as the top stripe on the French flag- identified with Saint Martin. Then their is the white painted second floor, and the bottom red brick represents the red on the stripe, for Saint Denis. 

Surely there is a back story here. Perhaps the owner was born in France, teaches French, or simply a francophile, loving the French language and culture.  first time we see someone out working in the yard, for sure we will stop and ask them. The Robin Hood tale is associated with England, so we're guessing the name of the street does not hold a clue. Our homes say so much about us; some more than others. What does your "maison" say about you?

Tiny is the New BIG

Tucked into an unassuming lot at 4120 Causey Street in the Pamona neighborhood of west Greensboro are six tiny homes, A-F. This is the first tiny house community that the City of Greensboro has approved. In the era of large suburban homes, this little community reminds us that, at the end of the day, all we really need to live is a roof over our head, a place to fix warm meal, a way to get in out of the elements, and a place to sleep. As shared on their website (tinyhousesgreensboro.com), each has a living area, a kitchen with full sized appliances, one bedroom, and a bathroom. Five of the homes are 288 square feet and one is only 180 square feet.

The tiniest of the houses is the one on the right. It has the word "Weaver" on the door, because it was built by students at Weaver Academy, a Guilford County School. Students raised the money for the material, designed the home, and built it in one semester. What a great way for students to learn the engineering process, perform community service, and oversee a project from conceptualization to completion. Residents are excited because these houses represent a means of ensuring they not only have an affordable housing option, but one that is permanent. The thriving, community garden at the front of the lot that reminds us that while housing security is important, quality of life is made even better when there is a sense of community.

The City Daily Photo theme for August is black. The black trailer reminds us that there needs to be a way to get each home from the sight where it is built to here. See more theme day photos from around the world, here.

 

2412 Sherwood Drive

The above house was the last one on the Lindley Park Walking Tour, hosted by Preservation Greensboro this past Wednesday. It was one of the smaller homes, but it holds faithful to the original requirement of the neighborhood for houses be set back from the street. Built after World War II, when Greensboro, like many cities in the United States, was experiencing a housing boom.

The facade of the house features Japanese influences, evoking the sense of a Japanese tea house. During the tour, a woman ran up to the door and knocked. We soon learned that her friend lived there. The friend didn't appear to be home. But then again, what would you do if someone knocked on your door and there were fifty people outside? If only we'd practiced a song, we could have started singing. It was a lovely evening and a fantastic tour. By the end of it, this group of people- united with the singular interest of getting to know more about our great city- just might have been willing to burst out in song. Happy Saturday!

Preservation Greensboro: Tour of Lindley Park

Preservation Greensboro offers free walking tours of historic neighborhoods in Greensboro. The above photo features the starting point for the tour of Lindley Park. On these tours, a docent gives a brief introduction to the history of the neighborhood, sharing its significance, lore, and most interesting points, and then commences to walking and talking. Homes with historical and or architectural significance are pointed out.

The Wednesday night tour drew almost fifty people, most of whom were not from Lindley Park. Many participants had been on one of the tours before. Standing on the bench on the right was Rebecca who did an excellent job of bringing the history of Lindley Park to life for the group. Learn more about Preservation Greensboro and their upcoming neighborhood tour schedule, here.

The Beautiful Westerwood Neighborhood

Today's photo features the westernmost entrance to the Westerwood neighborhood. The charming brick bungalow-style home with the generous front porch is perched at the corner of Westover Terrace and Fairmont Street, just up from Lake Daniel Park. Of course it is the people who make Greensboro beautiful, but it is also the people who make the urban landscapes and their homes beautiful.

The photo shows how green and healthy the plants in this yard are. What is a little harder to see from this distance is the fact that there is a hummingbird feeder that gets plenty of visits from the tiny birds. Also, to the right of the sidewalk is an urban garden full of edibles and wildflowers. This yard is beautiful and all of the plantings, trees, hedges, etc. help keep the need for manicured grass to a minimum. To be sure, this yard and home make a very inviting introduction to the Westerwood neighborhood.

Pinecrest Road

Pinecrest Road is a quiet street just off of Friendly Avenue in Sunset Hills. It is one of the streets on the route for the "Running of the Balls" walk/run in December. The above house, located on Pinecrest, is a beauty. While not all of the homes in the neighborhood are 2+ stories, the trend is for the smaller homes to get additions once they are sold. The location of this neighborhood, the ability to walk around the block, and talk to neighbors along the way, make this a great place to live.

To be so close to shopping and the hospital, the neighborhood is surprisingly quiet and there isn't much traffic, until, that is, the magical month of December, when the streets are glowing with those giant light balls in the trees.

Friendship Friends Quaker Meeting

The Friendship Friends Quaker Meeting is located in a former private residence at 1103 New Garden Road, directly across the street from the Frank Family Science Building at Guilford College. It is also located in Quaker Acres beside the Friends Home Senior Living Community. On the edge of the property, you can see the little path that has been forged by the senior Quakers who can walk to the meeting house. 

The room where services is held is filled with chairs around the perimeter. In traditional quaker worship, "(a)ttendees are encouraged to speak once "the Spirit finds you", thus meaning one should only speak if the message is good for the community and beneficial to the meeting. A traditional Quaker belief is everyone has "that of God" inside, and everyone's inner light and spirit can be shown."*

There is over 250 years of Quaker presence and influence in Greensboro. Quakers have been a vital part of the local community and were believers in the inherent worth and dignity of all humans and civil rights, from the beginning. They meet at the 1103 New Garden property at 10:30 on Sundays, if you are interested in being a part of this inclusive, spiritual community. Happy Sunday!

*Wikipedia, "Meeting for Worship" visited June 15, 2019.

300 Cornwallis

 

This Old Irving Park house, located at 300 Cornwallis Drive is so full of southern charm. From columns, to topiaries to large front porch, to a great lawn, the property has so much street appeal. It was built in 1961, has over 5,000 square feet of living space, and a full basement. There is no shortage of space indoors and out.

When we feature homes in Greensboro, we often feature bungalow-esque properties or ones that maybe have fallen into disrepair, and may not be long for this world. However, especially to those from elsewhere, we don't want to misrepresent Greensboro. There are some breathtaking homes here. Greensboro residents take great pride in maintaining their green space. Our city comes by its name honestly. The above photo is representative of homes you will see as you enter Old Irving Park. Some are larger, some are smaller, but almost all of them make you want to grab a jug of sweet tea and a homemade pound cake and sit on the porch for the afternoon, chatting with dear friends.

Happy summer!