At the time the Blair House was built, Cherry Street was the most popular road for grand houses in Winston and Salem. | Photo (left) courtesy of the Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection via Digital Forsyth, photo (right) by WStoday
Winston-Salem is home to many historic houses. Let’s walk down memory lane to learn the stories about two properties that are 100+ years old — and the people who built them.
Col. William A. Blair House, 210 S. Cherry St.
William Allen Blair came to the town of Winston in 1888 to serve as superintendent of the Slater State Normal School (what would eventually become Winston-Salem State University). He also held multiple leadership roles in business. He earned the honorary title of “colonel” after serving on President Theodore Roosevelt’s inaugural committee.
Blair and his wife, Mary Eleanor Fries, built the two-story, Colonial Revival-style home in 1901. Knoxville architect George Barber designed the home. Blair died in the home in 1948. His son, John, lived there until 1983. Today, the home has been converted into office space. It’s a Local Historic Landmark and one of four remaining turn-of-the-century homes on Cherry Street.
Adolphus H. Eller House, 129 Cascade Ave.
The home has a Ludowici green tile roof. | Photo (left) courtesy of the Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection via Digital Forsyth, photo (right) by WStoday
Adolphus Hill Eller was a local attorney and NC senator. After his stint in politics, he served as secretary and treasurer of the NC Railroad Company, then trust officer and vice president of Wachovia Bank and Trust Co. He was also a founder of Slater State Normal School and Baptist Hospital.
He and his wife, Laura Winifred Newland, built the home in 1918 in what is now the Washington Park Historic District. Architect Willard Northrup designed the Dutch Colonial home. The Eller family sold it in 1944 but it remains a private residence. You can go inside the property by registering for a Preservation Forsyth tour on Thursday, Nov. 7.
Want to check out more grand homes in the Twin City? Grab a copy of “Great Houses and their Stories” by local author and professor Margaret Supplee Smith.
Asked
Asked
When it comes to Winston-Salem residential real estate, what interests you most?
A. I love the charm of old homes B. I like checking out new builds C. I like to keep my pulse on market trends D. I want to know about future housing developments
Siren Series Jazz | 6 p.m. | Footnote Coffee & Cocktails | Cost of purchase | Grab a cocktail and start your week off with jazz from musicians Karon Click and Diana Tuffin.
Meet the Mural Makers | 6 p.m. | Mixxer Community Makerspace | Free, RSVP | Learn how three muralists made it big and get tips on up-sizing your work.
Thursday, Nov. 7
UNCSA presents Fall Emerging Artist Chamber Music Showcase | 7:30 p.m. | University of North Carolina School of the Arts | Free | Hear student groups perform both classic and contemporary works with strings, piano, and mixed chamber ensembles.
The evening includes a seated dinner with specialty cocktails, auctions, live music + a silent disco to close out the night.|Photo provided by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
What that means for you: You get an evening of refined cuisine, cocktails, entertainment + dancing.
What that means for local kids: They get access to life-saving pediatric care + the vital programs, research, and services that the fundraiser helps sustain.
Be prepared for slowdowns if you plan to travel a portion of Reynolds Boulevard this week. The 900 block of the road (between Whitaker Park and Shorefair Drive) will be closed for tree removal from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 8. Traffic control will be in place.
Real Estate
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist now owns the former Inmar Intelligence building in Innovation Quarter. It paid Wexford Science + Technology $28.5 million for the property at 635 Vine St. and plans to use the 256,031-sqft building for its eye institute. (Triad Business Journal)
Closing
Goodbye, pizza boats. The Manginas family has decided to moveZito Pizzeria and Grill to Surry County and reopen as Zito! Greek Kitchen. The restaurant’s current location on Healy Drive will close Friday, Nov. 8.
Sports
A statue of beloved former Winston-Salem State University football coach Bill Hayes will be unveiled next month at Bowman Gray Stadium. The ceremony is planned for Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12 to 2 p.m. (Winston-Salem Journal)
Home
Selling your home? Promote your listing where buyers will see it — right here in this newsletter (in as little as two days).
Category
Cause
Become a coin collector
Emptying your pockets has never felt so gratifying. | Photo courtesy of Samaritan Ministries
Your spare change can really add up for Winston-Salem residents in need. Samaritan Ministries’ annual Penny Campaign is underway.
It’s a collection campaign to provide food, shelter, and hope. The nonprofit’s executive director says every cent counts.
“It only takes 366 pennies to provide a warm meal in our soup kitchen, where we serve more than 100,000 meals each year,” Jan Kelly said.
Here are ways you can get involved:
Pick up a collection jar at 414 E. Northwest Blvd. and display it at your business or community group.
Become a “Penny Campaigner” and raise donations online.
Drop off your donation at the drive-thru Collection Day on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Truist Stadium between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. (use the Broad Street entrance).
Make a direct donation online through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Samaritan Ministries has a goal to raise $100,000 this year so start checking between those sofa cushions.
The Buy
The Buy
Dermatologist-tested laundry detergent sheets brought to you by the same company behind this bestselling stain treater spray. The sheets are hypoallergenic and formulated with ingredients that are safe for sensitive skin. Use code 20NEWLAUNDRY to save 20% for a limited time.
Is anyone else feeling a little ‘off’ today after the end of Daylight Saving Time? I love the morning sunshine but 5 p.m. sunsets take some getting used to. I think it’s a a good excuse to use our coffee shop guide to treat yourself to a special caffeinated drink.
