Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC
Learn More About Summit Avenue
One of the most historic neighborhoods in Greensboro is the Summit Avenue-Dunleath Historic District, also known as the Charles B. Aycock Historic District. Spanning more than 200 acres, Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC comprises 226 contributing buildings ranging from the bungalow and American Craftsman style to Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and American Foursquare architecture.
Built between the 1890s and 1930s by charismatic business leaders in Greensboro, it grants viewers a unique glimpse into turn-of-the-century life through these beautiful structures that still stand today. With its wide sidewalks, lush landscaping, and easy access to parks and shopping districts, it’s easy to understand why Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC continues to be such a desirable place to live.
History
Summit Avenuehas a history as rich and interesting as the city itself. Back in 1895, Ceasar Cone saw a need to grade and pave Summit Avenue, the neighborhood’s first street that linked the downtown Greensboro area and his manufacturing facilities.
Just three years later, Summit Avenue was officially opened, laying the foundation for what would become one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Greensboro. The neighborhood was established concurrently with the avenue, with most streets running perpendicular or parallel to it.
In 1902, the neighborhood added a streetcar line at its western border, and in the late 1980s, Percey and Chestnut streets were laid out parallel to it. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Summit Avenue – rechristened Dunleath after a mid-nineteenth-century house of the same name – would be rediscovered by designers and artists in search of large rooms and modest prices.
The Historic District has large mature trees that shade the narrow but beautiful urban lots. It features quiet, granite-curbed streets with minimal traffic. The major industrial force of the neighborhood well into the 20th century was the Cone textile mill empire.
The Summit Avenue Neighbourhood, Greensboro, North Carolina
One of the neighborhood’s points of interest is the War Memorial Stadium on Yanceyville Street. It was initially built to pay tribute to veterans of the First World War. Later on, it was used for legendary ball players, including Roger Maris, Jackie Robinson, Mickie Mantle, and Carl Yastremski. The Greensboro Farmers’ Curb Market is also a great place to visit and offers plenty of fresh flowers, food, and produce year-round. Other notable sites include the Vaught House, which resembles a castle, the Sigmund Sternberger House, located at 712 Summit Avenue, and Swann Middle School at 811 Cyprus Street. This historical neighborhood offers something for everyone to enjoy and appreciate!
Today, Summit Avenue in Greensboro, NC, is a diverse neighborhood home to all types of people – tradespeople, artists, college professors, and retirees. This sense of community was exhibited in 2003 when a neighborhood-led effort reversed the attempts by city officials to remove Minor League Baseball from the area. Fast forward to May 2022, and The Summit Avenue Neighborhood was celebrated on Preservation Greensboro’s Tour of Historic Homes & Gardens. A testament to how this vibrant area has held meaning for locals over generations.
