Aycock, Greensboro, North Carolina
Encyclopedia
Neighbourhood
A neighbourhood or neighborhood is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town or suburb. Neighbourhoods are often social communities with considerable face-to-face interaction among members. "Researchers have not agreed on an exact definition...
in the northeast section of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
city of Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
. The Aycock neighborhood was named for the Charles B. Aycock Middle School located within the neighborhood. It is filled with late nineteenth and early twentieth century residences and composes one of three historic districts in Greensboro.
Boundaries
Aycock is bounded as follows:- on the north by East Bessemer Avenue;
- on the west by the Southern Railway tracks;
- on the east by Lindsay Street; and
- on the south by the Morrow Boulevard.
History
The Aycock neighborhood had its beginnings in 1895, when textile magnate Ceasar Cone graded and paved Summit Avenue, a boulevard that connected downtown Greensboro to Cone’s manufacturing facilities. The neighborhood’s central location to downtown and the Cone mills made it a desirable location for city residents, who erected large homes in Queen Anne styles with turrets, porches laced with brackets and spindles, and elaborate window shapes. Later houses follow Colonial Revival and Craftsman influence, yet nearly all houses in the district share broad front porches, mature trees, and generous floor plans.The neighborhood was rediscovered in the 1970s by artists and designers who sought spaces with large rooms and modest price tages. Often seen as the funky alternative to "over-the-railroad-tracks" neighbor [Fisher Park], the Aycock area has worked hard to progress the neighborhood while preserving its edge.
Aycock residents are nothing if not ambitious. The neighborhood led city-wide efforts to keep major league baseball in their neighborhood in 2003, and developed lofty goals in redevelopment of the Summit Avenue corridor. Defying the perception of historic districts as staid, members of the Aycock neighborhood point to plans for new construction in the form of businesses and residences on vacant land along the Avenue, and their work to reunite their corner of the city with Greensboro’s bustling downtown.
Points of interest include the World War Memorial Stadium
World War Memorial Stadium
World War Memorial Stadium, more commonly known as War Memorial Stadium, is the name of a baseball park in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA...
at 510 Yanceyville Street, constructed as a tribute to veterans of the First World War, and later witness to such legendary ball players as Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
, Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
, Roger Maris
Roger Maris
Roger Eugene Maris was an American Major League Baseball right fielder. During the 1961 season, he hit a record 61 home runs for the New York Yankees, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season record of 60 home runs...
, and Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
. The Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market at 501 Yanceyville Street is open year-round and features fresh flowers, foods, and produce. Notable houses include the castle-like Vaught House at 519 Summit Avenue, the Mediterranean-inspired Sigmund Sternberger House at 712 Summit Avenue, and the Charles B. Aycock School, designed by New York firm Starrett and Van Vleck, located at 811 Cyprus Street.
Parks and public spaces
- Sterburger Park
- World War Memorial StadiumWorld War Memorial StadiumWorld War Memorial Stadium, more commonly known as War Memorial Stadium, is the name of a baseball park in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA...
- Greensboro Curb Market
Notable architects and builders
- Harry Barton
- Starrett and Van Vleck (New York)
- William P. Rose