Historic Davidson County Homes Enrich Neighborhoods
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Take a slow drive through Thomasville’s Salem Street Historic District, and you’ll see homes rich in startling and varied architectural detail.
“This particular residential historical district is unique to Thomasville,” says Charlotte Sears, chair of the Thomasville Historic Preservation Commission. “Almost every decade is represented, from the early 1860s to the late 1950s, in a block and a half.”
The home styles range from Queen Anne to Colonial Revival.
In many other communities, the grand scale and beauty of the homes would put them far out of reach of the average homebuyer, but Davidson County’s affordability remains one of its greatest assets, drawing young families and retirees looking for upscale living, a small-town atmosphere and access to urban offerings a short drive away.
“Currently, there are homes available for sale in all of our historic areas,” Sears says.
With a total of 700 designated historical properties, both residential and commercial, Thomasville residents are able to appreciate the historical and family-friendly environments of a smaller area, while still having access to opportunities found in nearby larger cities.
“When it comes to housing, it’s all about location,” says Doug Croft, president of the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce. “What you’ll find in Thomasville is a good-sized city that doesn’t have the problems that a larger city has, but isn’t too small and is close to surrounding cities, like Greensboro and Winston-Salem,” Croft says. “Combine that with historic, upscale living and you’re meeting the needs of lots of people.”
The Salem Street Historic District is just one housing alternative for Davidson County residents wishing to raise a family or empty-nesters wanting to settle down in a comfortable small-town setting.
Just 21 miles south of Winston-Salem, nearby Lexington also is filled with grand, historic homes, many of which have noteworthy architecture.
The Homestead and Hilldale, for example, are two homes that are significant because they were built before the Civil War in a Neoclassical architectural style, says Catherine Hoffman, chair of the Lexington Historic Preservation Commission.
“While not typical within a district that has a diverse inventory of historic houses, The Homestead and Hilldale are important because they represent the grandest scale of houses built in Lexington before World War II,” Hoffman says.
Located one block northwest from the commercial heart of downtown Lexington, the Lexington Residential Historic District encompasses approximately 264 acres and includes the earliest residential sections of town – most of which were built in the late nineteenth century.
“What’s great about the homes in the Lexington Residential Historic District are the differing architectural styles, whether it be a large Colonial or a Mediterranean Revival-styled home,” says Radford Thomas, president/CEO, Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce. “The area is great for raising a family or ideal for other individuals who wish to retire in an older home.”
What unites local homeowners is the great pride and care they put into their homes, Thomas says.
“The manner in which buyers have purchased and preserved the character of homes has really impressed me,” Thomas says. “There aren’t too many places like that.”
Story by Sarah Ward
Photo by Todd Bennett
