Although Greensboro was a small southern village in the mid-nineteenth century, it enjoyed strong associations with northern cities through its architecture. Alongside the work of Alexander Jackson Davis, Greensboro features residences by unknown but creative designers within its architectural history. One such example is the home of Dr. David Weir, a native of Ireland who arrived in…
The Cedars was clearly an important estate in Greensboro. References to the property could be found on nineteenth century maps of the Gate City, as well as excerpts from select publications. However, no such property was revealed in major publications of Greensboro history as had been done for sites such as Dunleith, Bellemeade, or Blandwood.…
Constructed around 1918, the simple frame hipped-roof cottage at 1316 Grove Street in the Glenwood neighborhood was the home of Dillie Ann Howerton. The Howerton home was built well outside the Greensboro city limits and its occupants enjoyed none of the modern conveniences of the city. Water was supplied by a well on the back…
With losses of historic properties in the Fisher Park neighborhood such the the Holleman House by First Presbytrian Church and threatened destruction of the Commencement House, the Cascade Saloon and the Newman-Whitney Machine Works, 2009 was a difficult year for Greensboro’s preservation community…but will 2010 be any better? Several initiatives indicate an upbeat year for saving…
The year 2009 is turning out to be a notable year – in demolitions for downtown Greensboro. A few months ago, a two-story Queen Anne-style house was destroyed on Blandwood Avenue. On Easter weekend, the 110-year old Love House on Smith Street in Fisher Park was lost. Today, the old offices for Big Brothers Big Sisters…
The bulldozer emblazoned with the demolition contractor D. H. Griffin and parked behind the house at 210 West Smith Street (image, below) says it all. Another one bites the dust in the Fisher Park neighborhood…all for an parking empty lot. For those who value the built environment, the historic neighborhood, and Greensboro history, this scene is…
In the economic devastation that followed the Civil War, Greensborough’s reputation as a city of comfortable hotel accommodations was badly bruised. Earlier fine hotels such as the Southern Hotel on West Street and the Planter Hotel on East Street were becoming worn and did not meet the improved standards set by wealthy northern industrial and…