The J. Douglas Galyon Depot was built in 1927 in Greensboro, North Carolina. It replaced another train depot that was located at 400 S. Elm Street. The depot was in operation until 1979. It was then donated by Southern Railway to the city. The depot was restored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and reopened in 2003. It now serves as a bus station and in 2005 started using the depot once again.
This marker is located near the site of a historic munitions factory that produced small arms for the Confederate army between 1863 and 1864. During that time, the majority of the estimated four hundred breech-loading carbines produced at this location were utilized by Confederate soldiers who were recruited locally and served in units throughout North Carolina. However, a few of the weapons were also sold commercially. Local arms producer Jere H. Tarpley received the patent for his carbine from Confederate officials on February 14, 1863.
Used today as offices for Norfolk Southern, this building became the first Southern Railway passenger depot in Greensboro when it opened in 1899. Critical to the railroad industry for its location and key access point, Greensboro became known as the "Gate City," and the Southern Railway was part of this success. The brick depot was fashioned in the Richardsonian Romanesque style and features a three-story turret at the corner of Elm St. and Smother's Place. Sparked by the need for a bigger depot, this building was replaced by the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on East Washington Street in 1927. Now used for office space for Norfolk Southern, the 1899 depot underwent architectural changes and was added to the National Register as part of the Downtown Greensboro Historic District in 1982.
The Nathanael Greene Statue in Greensboro, North Carolina was erected to commemorate the Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene. He was instrumental in leading the American forces in the campaign for the South against the British. Fighting Lord Charles Cornwallis and his army at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Greene and his troops greatly damaged the British and helped to lead to their defeat several months later. Greene is the namesake of Greensboro, North Carolina.
The only remaining historic theater in this section of the state, the Carolina Theatre has been well-preserved and serves as a community center and center for the performing arts. Upon its creation in 1927, the building was dubbed “the showpiece of the Carolinas." Like many other downtown theaters throughout the United States, the building faced possible demolition as movie-goers began patronizing suburban metroplexes. However, the building was saved in the 1970s thanks to the half-million-dollar campaign led by the United Arts Council of Greensboro.
This local history museum is located in a historic mansion and features artifacts and furniture from the antebellum era. Charles Bland originally constructed Blandwood Mansion in 1795. The residence was home to North Carolina Governor John Motley Morehead. During the Civil War, the mansion served as a headquarters for both Confederate and Union Generals. The mansion's place in history was sealed on March 2, 1865, when rebel Governor Zebulon B. Vance surrendered to Union Generals Jon Schofield and Jacob Dolson Cox in the main parlor.
The West Market Street Methodist Church is over 175 years old and has been faithfully serving it's Greensboro community during that time. Starting out at the urging of circuit rider Peter Doub, the first church was built in 1831. In 1851 the second building was created after doubling in size. The third and most recent building was erected in the year 1892 and was modeled after the Richardsonian Romanesque style, by architect S. W. Foulk. The church was instrumental in establishing the Greensboro College.
On February 1, 1960, four students from the Agriculture and Technical College of North Carolina went to this Woolworth's building. Knowing that the lunch counter served whites only but also knowing that some African Americans had successfully challenged this policy in other cities, the four young men sat down and tried to order coffee. The waitress ignored the student and the manager called the police. When they came back to campus, word had quickly spread and others volunteered to join their protest. There were 29 protesters the next day and more than 60 the day after that. By the end of the week there were 400 people protesting. Months later, there were dozens of sit-ins throughout the South.
The Southeastern Building was first known as the American Exchange National Bank Building and was first built in 1920 by the architect James Raleigh Hughes. Prior to this, the building was operated as the Bank of Southern Greensboro on East Market Street. It moved to its new building on North Elm Street in 1920, after merging with the Commercial National Bank, when it became known as the American Exchange National Bank. The bank rode the economic boom of the '20s until the 1930's hit when the economic recession began to take effect. After closing on a National Banking Holiday in 1933, the bank never reopened. The building was then bought by Ben Cones as part of the Southeastern Realty Company, which is when the building became known as the Southeastern Building. The building has increasingly become modernized and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Greensboro's Jefferson Standard Building is one of the largest and tallest office buildings in North Carolina. The building originally served as the headquarters of the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company which was chartered in 1907. That company was named in honor of former President and author of the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson. This impressive structure was built for the company in 1923 after the vice-president of the company Julian Price contracted with architect Charles C. Hartmann to design the building. The company expanded and grew over the years, and is still active in the Greensboro community. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Greensboro's Center City Park dates back to the early nineteenth century when it was established as part of the original 42-acre plan for the town. In the years that followed, the park has remained a place for enjoying nature even as the neighborhood transitioned from residential to commercial buildings. Center Park serves residents and visitors in downtown Greensboro thanks in part to a plan in 2003 to revitalize the park. The redevelopment plan cost more than $12 million, but with the support of local leaders, the new park was completed and officially opened on December 1, 2006. The park now features various sculptures as well as bandshell in addition to other features.
LeBauer Park was named in honor of the late Carolyn Weill LeBauer, who passed away in March 2012. She made a bequest to the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro with instructions for the money to be used to build a park for the people of Greensboro. Her $10 million donation enabled the park to be built south of Davie Street. It was designed to accommodate all of the public and offers different amenities and services to all people. It also features a sculpture by Janet Echelman, made of hard and soft netting.
Tucked away in a small plaza within downtown Greensboro is this three-piece memorial is dedicated to one of the city’s most notable residents, William Sydney Porter. Known to many by his pen name "O. Henry," Porter was the author of several famous pieces of American literature. His pieces were known to incorporate humor, wit, and surprise endings. His work includes “Cabbages and Kings,” “Roads of Destiny,” and “Whirligigs.” The statues include Porter, his dog, and a book representing his many short stories.
The Greensboro Historical Museum is located in a former Presbyterian Church--it's home since the museum's creation in 1938. The premiere history museum in the region, this institution offers a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits that preserve and share the history of Greensboro from the period when Native American tribes controlled the area to the arrival of settlers of European descent in the early 19th century. The museum's leading exhibits tell the story of early settlers, the Civil War, early businesses and commercial development, and famous residents and families from this section of the country. This museum also offers a variety of educational programs throughout the year. Admission to the museum is available free of charge thanks to the museum's supporters. There are also special programs for educators as the museum staff work to support curriculum development in the North Carolina school system.
The Greensboro Children’s Museum is a hands on interactive play and exhibit center for children. Designed for kids under the age of ten, the museum’s learning stations are crafted to provide educational opportunities through creative interaction and play. Visiting children and adults can take part in permanent exhibits and rotating activity centers, all of which are designed to stimulate learning and creativity.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This walk through downtown Greensboro begins at the city's historic train depot and winds its way north through the downtown area to LeBauer Park and the Greensboro Historical Museum. Highlights of the tour include the International Civil Rights Museum, Blandwood Manson, and the Carolina Theatre.
