Saving Places

KNOX HERITAGE ANNOUNCES "FRAGILE 15" LIST OF ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES

2010-05-21T02:26:36Z

Knox Heritage announced its 2010 list of the most endangered historic buildings and places in Knoxville and Knox County on May 14 at 11:00 a.m. The announcement took place in the Maplehurst Neighborhood on W. Hill Avenue.

Every May during National Preservation Month, Knox Heritage releases its list of the most endangered historic buildings and places in Knox County to educate the public and local leaders about the plight of significant historic resources. Often, the endangered buildings and places are representative of issues that endanger similar parts of our heritage across the community.

The historic places included on the list are selected by the Knox Heritage Board of Directors from nominations received from members of Knox Heritage and the general public. The list provides a work plan for the organization over the next 12 months. Preservation strategies are developed for each site on the list and can include working with current property owners, government officials, citizens and/or potential new owners to preserve these important parts of Knox County's heritage. Knox Heritage is committed to acting as an advocate for the endangered properties we identify each year. We invite the community to join us in our efforts to save our endangered heritage through advocacy and action. To volunteer, please contact Knox Heritage at 523-8008 or info@knoxheritage.org.

Knox Heritage advocates for the preservation of places and structures with historic or cultural significance. Founded in 1974, Knox Heritage is the non-profit historic preservation organization for Knoxville and Knox County. It is governed by a board of directors with representatives from across our community. Knox Heritage carries out its mission through a variety of programs and encourages community support through education and advocacy.

2010 Knox County's Most Endangered Historic Places

1. Knoxville High School - 101 E. Fifth Avenue.

2. Martin-Russell House - 11409 Kingston Pike.

3. Cowan Cottage - 701 16th Street.

4. The Eugenia Williams House - 4848 Lyons View Pike.

5. Knoxville College National Register District - 901 College Street.

6. Standard Knitting Mill -1400 Washington Avenue.

7. Cal Johnson Building - 301 State Street.

8. Fort Sanders Houses & Grocery - 307 18th Street & 1802, 1804, 1810 Highland Avenue.

9. The McClung Warehouses - 501-525 W. Jackson Avenue.

10. The Pickle Mansion - 1633 Clinch Avenue.

11. Isaac Anderson Cabin - Creekrock Lane - Shannondale Valley Farms

12. Scenic Vistas and Ridgetops.
- Fort Stanley
- French Broad River Corridor

13. Vacant Historic Knox County School Buildings:
          - Oakwood Elementary (232 E. Churchwell Avenue)
          - South High (801 Tipton Avenue)
          - Rule High (1901 Vermont Avenue)

14. Odd Fellows Cemetery - 2001 Bethel Avenue.

15. Admiral David Farragut Birthplace. Stoney Point.

]]> Descriptions of the 2010 Fragile 15 Endangered Historic Places

1. Knoxville High School - 101 E. Fifth Avenue.

There is great excitement this year as alumni of Knoxville High School celebrate the building's 100th anniversary. Opened in 1910, Knoxville High School's Neoclassical design with Beaux Arts influences is an icon for the generations of Knoxvillians who walked its halls, including James Agee, Patricia Neal and John Cullum. Designed by the local firm Baumann Brothers and a part of the Emory Place National Register District, it was the first school to serve the whites throughout the city and was the only public high school for whites for many years. At the end of the 1950-1951 school year Knoxville High was closed and converted into administrative offices for the Knoxville Board of Education. Today it is owned by the Knox County School System.

Knoxville High School is showing signs of stress and deterioration due to years of deferred maintenance. Years of tight school budgets have required the Knox County School Board to make tough choices and, of course, the priority must be the classroom. However, it's time to take a fresh look at historic buildings owned by local governments and devise a new strategy for preserving the historic buildings owned by taxpayers.

Knox Heritage looks forward to working with the Knox County School System to devise a plan for preserving our community's heritage while being good stewards of these valuable assets.

2. Martin-Russell House - 11409 Kingston Pike.

Located at Campbell Station on the site where David Campbell built a blockhouse in 1787, this brick, Federal style house was built for Samuel Martin in 1835 or earlier as an inn. During the Martin family era the inn gained popularity and was visited by President Andrew Jackson, a close family friend. Just before the Civil War the inn was sold to Avery Russell who converted it into his family's residence. During the war it served as a hospital for soldiers injured at the Battle of Campbell's Station. The house has remained in the Russell family for six generations and stood watch as Knoxville sprawled toward it and the town of Farragut sprang up around it.

The Martin-Russell House has remained at its original location for 175 years, a rare feat in this part of the world. Its location was determined by the modes of transportation employed during the era it was built and it still stands at a heavily traveled crossroads. But its future is uncertain as the Russell family plans to sell the house. Even though it is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, there is nothing to prevent a new owner from demolishing the house and building a commercial structure in its place. At a minimum, the house should be protected by local historic zoning or a preservation easement to prevent its demolition. That will provide the opportunity for it to become the focal point it should be for the Town of Farragut as a new administration looks to enhance the community and embrace its history. Knox Heritage stands ready to work with the Russell family and the Town of Farragut to preserve and reuse this rare example of Knox County's earliest history.

3. Cowan Cottage. 701 16th Street.

This charming Queen Anne style cottage was originally a part of the estate of James Dickinson Cowan that once occupied an entire block in its neighborhood, known then as West Knoxville. It stood near the Cowan's massive Second Empire style home that was built in 1879 and then demolished in 1954 for Clement Hall. The structure stands at the corner of White Avenue and 16th Street and is suspected to have housed the European head gardener imported to manage the Cowans' impressive gardens and three greenhouses. It is one of only four 19th century structures still standing on property controlled by the University of Tennessee.

The cottage is vacant after decades of serving as a private residence and then housing UT student organizations. The building suffers from long term neglect and lack of maintenance. It is another example of limited resources causing the potential loss of historically significant structures owned by the University of Tennessee. Knox Heritage calls upon UT to review the current condition of the structure and work with interested parties to develop a plan to preserve and reuse the building.

4. Eugenia Williams House. 4848 Lyons View Pike.

Eugenia Williams was born to Dr. David H. Williams and Ella Cornick Williams in January 1900. Dr. Williams was a prominent physician and one of the original financial backers who introduced Coca-Cola to East Tennessee. In 1940, Eugenia commissioned her childhood friend, John Fanz Staub, to design her new residence. Staub, a native Knoxvillian from one of the city's prominent families, is best known for designing homes for many of the wealthiest and most influential Texans, with a little over half of his design work located in Houston. He was also the architect for the well-loved Hopecote on the UT Knoxville campus.

Miss Williams' Regency-style home sits on 24 acres bordering the Tennessee River and Lyons View Pike and features a three-car garage with automatic garage door openers, which was a novelty in 1940. In 1998, the house was willed to the University of Tennessee as a memorial to Eugenia's father. Since Miss Williams' death the house has been plagued by vandals and a lack of the most basic maintenance, but its character-defining details remain and the house is still solid. We strongly encourage UT to move forward with plans for this signature property and maximize its benefit to the University and the Knoxville area before it is too late. Specifically, Knox Heritage stands ready to assist the University in navigating the legal means available to sell the property to a private buyer interested in fulfilling Miss Williams' wishes that the house and property be preserved.

5. Knoxville College National Register District - 901 College Street.

Knoxville College was founded in 1875 as part of the missionary effort of the United Presbyterian Church of North America to promote religious, moral and educational leadership among freed men and women. The National Register District is composed of ten buildings, eight of which contribute to the district. Knoxville College has significantly contributed to the educational and spiritual welfare of the African American population in Tennessee since 1875. The campus was the first African American college in East Tennessee and hosted prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois and Martin Luther King, Jr.

The buildings at Knoxville College are a tribute to the creativity and resourcefulness of the student body. While pursuing their education, students assisted in the design and construction of these historic buildings using bricks they manufactured at the campus. This spirit of involvement continues today, even as Knoxville College struggles to continue its mission. The historic buildings, with their fine craftsmanship and solid design, are deserving of support from the entire community and their preservation is a critical part of the rebirth of the college. Knox Heritage and its members stand ready to assist the college in its efforts to preserve its architectural heritage and encourage Knox County residents and their elected representatives to support the college's efforts.

6. Standard Knitting Mill.

This circa 1945 building is the only remaining structure associated with Standard Knitting Mill. By the 1930's Standard was the largest textile and knitting mill in Knoxville. It was founded in 1900 with 50 employees and over the years grew to employ over 4,000 Knoxvillians. Standard eventually produced over one million garments a week and inspired Knoxville's title as "Underwear Capital of the World."

The future is uncertain for Standard Knitting Mill. Located in the industrial swath of land between the historic Parkridge and Fourth and Gill Neighborhoods, the original portion of the mill was in place along Washington Avenue by 1903. Later additions almost doubled the size of the complex, but the earliest portion was destroyed in the early 1990s. The current footprint still comes in at over 400,000 square feet and was the home of Delta Apparel until 2007. As Delta made plans to relocate, The Landmark Group out of North Carolina appeared on the scene. The developer was interested in the Knoxville mill and proposed that Delta donate the mill, appraised at just over $2 million, to a non-profit organization in exchange for a charitable deduction equal to the value of the property. The non-profit could then sell the building to a developer. The Landmark Group planned to purchase the property from the non-profit and reportedly planned to spend up to $50 million creating a mixed-use development.

In June of 2007 Delta Apparel donated the mill and surrounding land to The Mid-Atlantic Foundation in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Since that transfer, the mill, a highly visible landmark along I-40 on the east side of downtown, has stood dark and empty. Back in the summer of 2007, there were no plans for the new owners to maintain the sprinkler system and the roof had already developed several leaks. The building is now for sale.

It's time for the owner and the community to ensure the future existence of Standard Knitting Mill. The Mid-Atlantic Foundation must secure the building immediately and make the sprinkler system operational. The City of Knoxville, KCDC and the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership should step up to help market the site for redevelopment that preserves the building and complements the renaissance underway in the surrounding historic neighborhoods. The site is adjacent to the new Hall of Fame Drive, close to downtown and highly visible from the interstate. This makes for an attractive location and incentives already exist that can be utilized to spur its redevelopment.

7. Cal Johnson Building.

This State Street building (circa 1898) was built in the Vernacular Commercial style and was originally housed a clothing factory. It was constructed by Knoxville's first African American philanthropist and is a rare example of a large commercial structure built by a former slave. Cal Johnson also served as a city alderman during his extensive career, which included the operation of several area saloons and one of Knoxville's most popular and durable horse racing tracks. It could be a featured site in efforts to encourage heritage tourism related to Knox County's African American residents and their ancestors.

The building is threatened by long term, ongoing deterioration and a lack of maintenance. Knox Heritage seeks to work with the property owner to make necessary repairs and capitalize on the current level of downtown redevelopment to spur the reuse of this important structure before it is too late.

8. Fort Sanders Houses & Grocery - 307 18th Street & 1802, 1804, 1810 Highland Avenue.
These historic structures on the southwest corner of the 1800 block of Highland Avenue comprise one of the few remaining dividing lines between the concentration of residential and medical uses in the Historic Fort Sanders Neighborhood. They all were purchased by Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in February of 2008. The residential structures are now surrounded by chain link fencing and the 18th Street IGA's continued operation is uncertain.

A recent revival of long-range neighborhood-planning efforts requested by neighborhood residents and facilitated by the City of Knoxville, is a step in the right direction. All the stakeholders are at the table and there is an opportunity to turn the Fort around for the benefit of all. Any long-range planning should promote preservation of the historic structures that have managed to dodge the wrecking ball over the last 50 years. These four properties offer the opportunity for a new era of cooperation between Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and neighborhood residents. The newly formed, resident-led Fort Sanders Community Development Corporation is the perfect vehicle for a solution.

The hospital should partner with residents to preserve the buildings or donate them to the Fort Sanders CDC if it has no plans to preserve them. The group's mission will guide its efforts to retain the neighborhood grocery while restoring the residential properties for single family occupancy. That outcome would further stabilize the neighborhood, as opposed to the permanent damage that will result from the demolition these four highly visible historic buildings.

307 18th Street

This Commercial Vernacular style building was constructed circa 1923 as the W.T. Roberts Grocery Store, but over the years Fort Sanders' residents have known it as the 18th Street IGA. Roberts owned and operated the store from 1923 until 1950. During that time he had a short commute from his home at 1802 Highland Avenue just around the corner. In 1950 the store became the Fred McMahan Grocery Store and the owner had an even shorter commute. He lived on the second floor of the building.

1802 Highland Avenue

This Victorian style house was built circa 1891 for Ranson D. Whittle who was a well known manufacturer and founder of the Whittle Trunk and Bag Company. Whittle was also a prominent member of the family for which the Whittle Springs community in North Knoxville is named. From 1914 until 1950 William T. Roberts, owner of the neighborhood grocery store around the corner, lived in the house.

1804 Highland Avenue

This Victorian Cottage was built circa 1898 and the first owner was Reverend Isaac Van Dewater.

1810 Highland Avenue

This Victorian style home was built circa 1895 for Dr. Henry Patton Coile, a prominent turn of the century surgeon and physician. Coile lived in the house from 1895 until 1900. In 1900 his son Samuel A. Coile, the first pastor at Fort Sanders Presbyterian Church, became the owner of the family home. It shares many architectural features with homes designed by George Barber and could be the work of Knoxville's most famous Victorian-era architect.

9. The McClung Warehouses - 501-525 W. Jackson Avenue.

These highly visible buildings on Jackson Avenue were originally built as wholesale warehouses and are a reminder of the era when Knoxville was one of the leading wholesale centers in the Southeast. The buildings at 517-521 were built in 1911, and 525 was added in 1927. The buildings were originally built as wholesale warehouses for the C.M. McClung & Company, a wholesale and hardware supply company.

Over three years after an inferno destroyed half of the McClung Warehouse complex on Jackson Avenue, there has been little progress made to rescue Knoxville's most visible endangered buildings. The fire illustrated the worst-case scenario for vacant and blighted historic buildings. Three historic buildings were lost, at least hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage was caused and one thriving business owner lost everything and was displaced.

The opportunity still exists to redevelop the remaining buildings into loft and retail space, thus improving the tax base for all Knox County residents. A structural analysis of the remaining buildings conducted at the request of the City of Knoxville revealed they are sound and suitable for redevelopment. Recent legal action by creditors has forced the current owner into bankruptcy and will likely result in the liquidation of assets to satisfy their claim. We strongly encourage the newly appointed bankruptcy trustee to move quickly to sell the buildings to a developer capable of restoring and revitalizing these important downtown structures to encourage further investment in the surrounding Jackson Avenue corridor.

10. The Pickle Mansion. - 1633 Clinch Avenue.

The Pickle Mansion was built in 1889 in the Queen Anne style. It was built of solid masonry construction with a brick veneer wall covering over that masonry. Typical of grand houses of the Queen Anne era, it boasted a hip roof with lower cross gables, a turret, elaborate attic vent windows, window arches, transoms and a large front and side wrap-around porch.

The house was the victim of a disastrous fire in August of 2002, and suffered extensive damage. The current owner was able to purchase the house from its previous owners, who were denied in their request to demolish the building. After the purchase the new owner navigated an extensive and necessary subdivision process and took steps to finance the restoration. Fire debris has been removed and roof trusses have been designed with the intent of completing a rehabilitation of the house and restoring its architectural presence on Clinch Avenue. However, although interior work to prevent additional deterioration has been completed, the house is still unroofed. Rehabilitation work has begun, but the slow pace of that work leaves the house in a precarious position.

Knox Heritage encourages the owner to move swiftly to get the house under roof and begin the long-awaited restoration of this Fort Sanders Neighborhood landmark. If not, the City of Knoxville should proceed with codes enforcement through the Demolition by Neglect Ordinance.

11. Isaac Anderson Cabin. Creekrock Lane.

In 1802 Isaac Anderson's family constructed this two-story log house on their land in north Knox County. He had recently been named the pastor for Washington Presbyterian Church. During this time Anderson built a large, two-story log school building on the site that has since been demolished. He named his school Union Academy, but it was known to many as Mr. Anderson's Log College. The academy operated there until 1812 when Anderson moved his school to Maryville and became pastor of New Providence Presbyterian Church. He went on to found Maryville College in 1819.

The hewn-log Anderson cabin survived for the next 200 years before residential development literally encircled it and put its future in jeopardy. It now stands in the backyard of a modern suburban house.

Recently there has been an effort to move the Anderson Cabin to the Maryville College campus in order to protect it and its place in the college's history. Knox Heritage supports those efforts and encourages East Tennessee residents to work with the preservationists spearheading this effort to identify funding to relocate and restore the structure.

12. Scenic Vistas and Ridgetops: Fort Stanley & French Broad River Corridor.

While Knox Heritage is best known for the preservation of historic structures, our mission includes the protection of historic spaces as well. In recent years East Tennesseans have become aware of the threats to some of our most precious assets: our Scenic Vistas and Ridgetops. Progress has been seen in the preservation of Log Haven by the Aslan Foundation and the work of the Legacy Parks Foundation, but there is more work to do.

Part of the significance of these areas is that they almost always include archaeological sites that may, as in the case of Fort Higley, Fort Dickerson and Fort Stanley, have been built along the ridgetops. They may also include pre-historic archaeological deposits located in valleys, along streams and rivers and visible from Knox County's scenic roads.

Writers often describe Knoxville as being "nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains." More than most cities, Knoxville is defined by the ridges and rivers that surround it. The views we enjoy today are similar to the views early Knoxvillians took in and cherished. But those views are threatened by development that is not asked to address the costs imposed on the community for its associated infrastructure and quality of life.

Our local governments should act with haste to approve ordinances and plans designed to preserve the signature views that distinguish our community from most others in the country. Plans for future development should minimize the impact on view sheds and ridgetops in order to preserve the stunning scenes that attract visitors and connect people to the place where they live.

Fort Stanley.

The remains of this earthworks Civil War fort mark the place where Union troops from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio joined the 8th Tennessee and 16th Kentucky regiments to protect the southern approaches to Knoxville. Fort Stanley, named for Captain C. E. Stanley of the 45th Ohio, who fell in battle at Philadelphia, TN, was built on the highest hill, several weeks after Fort Dickerson was constructed. This hill, just east of Dickerson, rises steeply, 360 feet above the river directly opposite the south end of Gay Street and has been known for generation as "Gobbler's Knob."

The 1,000 acre Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor paralleling the South Knoxville Waterfront Development will contain three civil war forts, historic settlement sites, and diverse ecological features and recreational amenities. The project requires the acquisition of several critical parcels of land, including properties that house the Civil War battle sites of Fort Stanley and Fort Higley. Fort Dickerson, a restored site, lies between these two properties and offers Knoxville the unique prospect of three contiguous Civil War forts.
Knox Heritage is working with the Legacy Parks Foundation to preserve these important Civil War forts and encourages Knoxvillians to contribute financially to their efforts to preserve Fort Stanley and the entire Urban Wilderness and Historic Corridor.

French Broad River Corridor.

There is evidence to suggest that James White built his first house in the area. In "The Annals of Tennessee" by Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey, the French Broad Corridor is described as the home of Alexander Campbell; the large Georgian style house he built still stands. On both sides of the French Broad some of the best architectural examples of early Knox County - pre-historic settlements, a mill, churches, early cemeteries and ferry landings - tell the story of a river that acted as a highway for commerce and social interaction.

The French Broad River corridor, because of its relative isolation and lack of urban infrastructure, retained its historic places, scenery, breathtaking views and vistas and it is a portrait of Knox County in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

Knox County Commission's approval of rezonings that allow industrial and commercial development at the Midway Road interchange with I-40, combined with increasing development pressure from Sevier County, threaten the survival of one of Knox County's signature places. We call on Knox County government leaders to act with haste to develop innovative measures that protect this endangered treasure in east Knox County from being destroyed by the rampant development looming on the horizon.

13. Vacant Historic Knox County School Buildings:

Oakwood Elementary School - 232 E. Churchwell Avenue

This Oakwood neighborhood icon is currently owned by the Knox County School System and is used for storage. The later addition is occupied by the Teacher Supply Depot. The Knox County School System has moved all of its activities out of the building and has discussed plans to sell it for private development. Last year the Knox County School Board voted to allow the East Tennessee Community Design Center to work with residents to create a plan for the building. Due to the rapid deterioration of the building, Knox Heritage calls upon the School Board to act immediately to make the repairs necessary to stabilize the historic portion of the building. If this is not done soon, little will be left after the planning process to attract private redevelopment of the structure. Time is rapidly running out for Oakwood School.

South High School - 801 Tipton Avenue.

South High was designed by noted local architect Charles Barber and was built in 1935-1936 as South Knoxville Junior High School. The school opened in 1937. Barber was the primary architect of 14 schools in Knoxville and Knox County prior to 1940. It served as a junior high school and a high school until the last graduating class in 1976. The building sustained serious roof damage over the next three decades and that water infiltration has harmed the structural integrity of parts of the building.

Preservationists and residents of South Knoxville began their efforts to save historic South High in 2002. In 2004 the Knox County School Board surplused the building to Knox County so it could be redeveloped as a community asset. County Commission voted to auction the building to the highest bidder last year. The high bidder at the June 2008 auction was Bahman Kasraei. Mr. Kasraei expressed his intent to preserve the building, but construction was delayed. The roof of the building has been replaced, but it is just the beginning of the construction process and the rear of portion of the building is open to vandals so the potential for arson is high. Knox Heritage strongly encourages Mr. Kasraei to proceed as quickly as possible to complete the stabilization of the building and identify a use that will insure the long term preservation of this South Knoxville landmark.

Rule High - 1901 Vermont Avenue

Rule High School was named after Captain William Rule, a former Union Army Captain who went on to become the mayor of Knoxville, as well as publisher and editor of the Knoxville Journal from 1885 until his death in 1928. Rule High School was built in circa 1926-1927 and opened in the fall of 1927. The school closed in 1991 and is currently owned by the Knox County School Board which leases it to a non-profit organization.

The school continues to languish in a deteriorated state and the resources for its preservation are lacking. Knox Heritage encourages the Knox County School Board to review the existing lease arrangement and identify potential users with the financial ability to preserve and reuse the structure.

14. Odd Fellows Cemetery - 2001 Bethel Avenue.

The Odd Fellows Cemetery was established between 1880 and 1885 when four separate African American social organizations bought the land to create the cemetery. It is named after the Banner Lodge Chapter of the Odd Fellows Fraternal Order that was established in February 1882. Many prominent African Americans are buried there, including Calvin "Cal" Johnson, Knoxville's first African American millionaire, and William Yardley, a former City Alderman and 1876 candidate for governor of Tennessee.

The organization that created Odd Fellows Cemetery no longer exists and this has left the cemetery in limbo for decades. Various efforts by local governments and citizens groups have prevented the complete destruction of the cemetery, but the financial resources required to restore and maintain the many grave markers and interpret the site for a new generation of Knoxvillians have never been secured. This leaves the site vulnerable to vandalism and decay. It is a problem plaguing historic cemeteries across the region.

Knox Heritage is working with groups and citizens interested in establishing a "friends" organization for the cemetery, similar to the group that maintains Old Gray Cemetery on Broadway. Until a long term plan and sustainable sources of funding can be found, the cemetery will remain endangered.

15. Farragut Birthplace. Stoney Point Farm.

The birthplace of Civil War hero and America's first Navy Admiral David Farragut is visible today because of a historical marker dedicated there in 1900 by Admiral George Dewey. Admiral Dewey was a hero of the Spanish America War who served with Farragut during the Battle of Mobile Bay and admired him greatly. The marker was donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The home where Farragut was born disappeared long ago and only archeological evidence is believed to remain, but the site is likely one of Knox County's most nationally significant places. The marker and the site of the birthplace are on land owned by Farragut's father in the 1790s when he operated a ferry at Stoney Point, later known as Lowe's Ferry. Despite Farragut's national prominence and the enthusiasm displayed for his birthplace at the turn of the last century, the site had all but slipped into obscurity until a proposed residential development threatened to destroy it. Although public access is guaranteed to the former ferry landing along the waterfront property owned by Knox County, the site of Farragut's birth is on land slated for residential development that could block access to the site and destroy archaeological evidence of Farragut's birth and youth.

Knox Heritage seeks to work with the current property owner and Knox County government to enhance public access to this highly significant historic site while providing a positive impact for the residential development. By combining the resources of preservationists, Knox County, TVA and the property owner, the Farragut birthplace can achieve the level of prominence it deserves in this community.

Knox Heritage Offers Cash, Plan to Stabilize Eugenia Williams House

2010-02-18T18:47:39Z

Here's the latest on our efforts to rescue the Eugenia Williams House from demolition by neglect. We're sending out this press release statewide in the hopes of moving the proposal forward with the UT Board of Trustees.

Knoxville, TN - Knox Heritage has delivered a proposal to the University of Tennessee's interim president and Board of Trustees to protect the historic Eugenia Williams House in Knoxville from further deterioration. The proposal from the Knoxville-based non-profit preservation advocacy organization includes a three-year preservation plan based on National Park Service standards and up to $200,000 in funding from its J. Allen Smith Endangered Properties Fund to stabilize the residence, which was designed by John Fanz Staub and donated to the University by Coca-Cola heiress Eugenia Williams in 1998.

"We are aware of the financial challenges facing the University," said Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage, "so we are offering to help the UT administration and the Trustees carry out their obligations to keep this State-owned property in good condition and repair."

Knox Heritage approached the University administration with an informal offer almost four months ago, after hearing the University had spent only $1,645 in the last fiscal year to maintain the 10,800 square foot Regency-style mansion - $1,439 for utilities and $206 to board up the windows. The University never responded to the initial offer, which led to submission of the formal offer to the Board of Trustees. Knox Heritage is now awaiting a response to its formal offer.

The house has been included for two years on Knox Heritage's annual Fragile 15 list of the most endangered historic places in Knox County. Knox Heritage has attempted to work with two administrations at the University to insure the protection of the house and surrounding 24 acres as required of the University under the terms of Miss Williams' last will and testament. Miss Williams stipulated that the property by preserved in memory of her father, David Hitt Williams, that the land not be subdivided and that any use retain the natural beauty of the land and maintain the architectural integrity of the house in a way that benefits the University of Tennessee.

Since the University accepted the gift of property, the circa 1940 home has deteriorated significantly and been the target of vandalism. A fundraising campaign was initiated in 2000 to restore the home and use it as the residence for the president of the University of Tennessee. The funds raised for that effort were later redirected and used for the existing president's residence on Cherokee Boulevard while John Shumaker served as president of the University.

Knox Heritage and its consultants believe the University must act soon to save the house, after 12 years of demolition by neglect under University ownership. The proposal is for interim stabilization of the residence while the University determines an appropriate and affordable use, consistent with the wishes of its donor and the conditions of the gift.

"If the University can't use the property, it should find a way to put the property into private hands with appropriate restrictions to ensure the house and property are maintained as Miss Williams intended," Trent said. "We would be happy to support that effort."

John Fanz Staub (September 12, 1892 - April 13, 1981) was a nationally recognized residential architect who designed numerous traditionally-styled homes and mansions, mostly in Houston, Texas, from the 1920s to 1960s. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, Staub received a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1916. Staub was noted for his ability to combine selected elements from historical styles into unique creations that expressed the architect's own sensibilities and the demands of his commissions. His houses are prized for their attention to detail and the thoughtful consideration given to site location. Staub's homes are generally large, though most eschew ostentation and instead reveal the architect's preference for understated elegance. Staub designed many homes in the prestigious Houston neighborhood of River Oaks. His most famous work is Bayou Bend, a mansion built in 1927 for a Houston oil heiress.

Staub also designed Hopecote on the University of Tennessee campus. Built in 1924, for Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hope, it was inspired by 17th century English cottages. Staub was Mrs. Hope's nephew. After Mrs. Hope's death in 1977, the house was sold to the University of Tennessee. It was restored and now serves as an official guest house and instructional laboratory.

Knox Heritage, Inc. is a Tennessee non-profit corporation whose mission is to support and promote the preservation of historic buildings, neighborhoods and spaces within Knox County and the surrounding area. Knox Heritage was formed in 1974 as part of the effort to save the historic Bijou Theatre and other buildings in Knoxville, and it has taken an active role in many other historic preservation projects over the last 35 years.

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And The Survey Says: Where City Council Candidates Stand on Preservation

2009-10-23T13:40:48Z

As you might suspect, preservation and politics are often linked. Whether it's historic zoning, financial incentives or ordinances that encourage redevelopment, preservationists spend a lot of time talking to politicians and government officials. Over the last decade or so Knoxville citizens and their City Council have grown to appreciate the benefits preservation has brought to downtown, historic neighborhoods and the overall tax base. It's been a cooperative period, but the number of new faces expected on City Council soon will impact the success of future efforts.

For that reason, Knox Heritage surveys candidates for political office so we can let our members and the public know where they stand on preservation issues. We've just published those responses on our website and invite you to read the responses. We hope you will consider them when you cast your vote.

Knox Heritage City Council Candidate Survey

Nurturing an Instinct for Preservation - Regional Conference September 18-19

2009-09-10T14:54:59Z

When I first started as a volunteer with Knox Heritage 15 years ago, I didn't know how preservation worked or why it worked. I just knew I loved old buildings, neighborhoods and downtowns and thought everyone should. It was instinctual. I'd been raised in Mobile and our residential historic districts are beautiful places. While I was growing up, the downtown was still mostly abandoned after 5 o'clock and on weekends, but that made it the perfect place for a teenager to wander around and soak up the architecture created during times when the Spanish, French and English flags flew over the 300-year-old city. I didn't know why it was all still standing and didn't even think to ask that question. It was there and it was gorgeous and it was the thing that defined my favorite hometown.

After spending time living in Tuscaloosa, Athens and Atlanta, I landed in Knoxville in 1991. I immediately fell in love with Market Square and tried unsuccessfully to live in what is now the home of Rita's. So, I began looking for a historic house in a neighborhood near downtown. I was surprised by how under appreciated the older parts of town were, but didn't mind that quite so much when it allowed me to purchase an 1893 house - which I later discovered was designed by George Barber - for around $50K in Parkridge. But as my personal restoration project progressed, my attention was drawn to the larger issue of Knoxville's historic core. I was sure we were on the verge of a turnaround for downtown and the neighborhoods around it - it only took about 13 years longer than I thought it would.

During those years I didn't know what I didn't know. I knew historic buildings, places and neighborhoods were important, but I didn't know how to prove that to people who doubted their value. I didn't understand how to do that until I found preservationists in other places who'd figured it out. Suddenly, I understood the breadth of what was possible and had access to the tools I needed to get it done. It was one of the most exciting periods of my life. It was made possible by the folks at the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the many opportunities they gave me to meet people who shared my passion and who were putting preservation to work in new and creative ways.

After 18 years in East Tennessee, I've discovered most people have some sort of an instinct for preservation. Many of them are passionate about their heritage and the places that define them and their communities. Now all they need are the tools to make it all work - whether it be sparking new life on Main Street or preserving the rich landscapes that make this one of the most beautiful places in the world to live.

Once again the National Trust for Historic Preservation has provided an opportunity for East Tennesseans to learn the tools of the trade. Funding through their Partners in the Field program has allowed Knox Heritage to revive regional preservation efforts and jump start the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance. The Alliance will host a regional preservation conference this Friday and Saturday in Townsend and leading preservationists from across the country will be there to share what they know and how it can be applied in our region.

One of the most successful preservationists in the country and a dear friend of mine, Myrick Howard, will share how North Carolina has saved hundreds of endangered historic properties and Amy Potts with Preservation Kentucky will provide strategies for rural heritage preservation. Patrick McIntyre, director of the Tennessee Historical Commission, and Dr. Carroll Van West, director of MTSU's Center for Historic Preservation, will be on hand to share their wisdom and experience. Plus, Metro Pulse's own Jack Neely will speak at the Friday evening reception about Market Square's long-standing connection to the region.

The two-day conference is a rare opportunity to meet other preservationists from across the region and gain the knowledge needed to preserve the buildings and landscapes that define East Tennessee. And it's cheap - only 30 bucks for both days and that includes all conference sessions, the reception, lunch and more. So, visit East Tennessee Regional Preservation Conference for more information and a registration form.

]]> Here are the details:

Citizens from around the region will learn the tools and practices they need to help protect historic places that matter. This week the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance (ETPA) is hosting the East Tennessee Regional Preservation Conference, the first since ETPA's re-formation in January. The Conference will take place at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend on Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19. Fifteen speakers from four states will cover a wide range of preservation-related topics. Everyone is invited to attend and learn more about historic preservation issues affecting all East Tennesseans. Attendees will also have time to tour the award-winning Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center.

The full conference schedule and registration information is available below. You can also register and find out more by calling Knox Heritage at 865-523-8008 or visting www.knoxheritage.org. Early registration is encouraged due to limited capacity. Conference registration is $30.00 for adults and $20.00 for students. The registration fee includes all sessions, a Friday afternoon reception, coffee and snacks on Saturday morning, a boxed lunch on Saturday, conference materials, and a year membership to ETPA.

The conference's Keynote speaker, J. Myrick Howard, has served as Executive Director of Preservation North Carolina for over thirty years, where he has developed the highly-effective Endangered Properties Program. The program has saved more than 600 endangered historic properties, generating an estimated $200 million in private investment. The National Park Service called PNC "the premier statewide preservation organization in the South - if not the nation." Author of Buying Time for Heritage, Mr. Howard will share his secrets and inspirational stories at the conference.

Other featured speakers include Dr. Carroll Van West, Director of MTSU's Center for Historic Preservation, who will review a variety of projects around the region, from African American cemeteries to preserving the legacy of the New Deal. Amy Potts, Field Representative for the Kentucky Crossroads Rural Heritage Development Initiative (RHDI), will explain this demonstration program of the National Trust, which works in collaboration with the Preservation Kentucky to help develop and implement preservation-based economic development strategies in rural areas.

The 2009 East Tennessee Regional Preservation Conference is funded in part by a grant from the Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Foundation Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Conference Schedule

Friday, September 18

10:00 am-12:00 pm
East Tennessee Preservation Alliance Annual Meeting
ETPA will be conducting a business meeting to begin developing a strategic plan for the new organization. Other items on the agenda include nominations to the Board, committee designations, and upcoming Preservation Toolbox sessions. All are welcome to attend.

11:00 am-1:00 pm
Conference Registration ~ Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center
123 Cromwell Dr
Townsend, TN 37882-4323
(865) 448-0044

Lunch on Your Own
- Timber's-8123 East Lamar Alexander Parkway (865) 448-6838
- Deadbeat Pete's Mexican Cantina-7613 Old Highway 73 (865) 448-0900
- Miss Lily's Cafe-122 Depot Road (865) 865-448-1924

1:10 pm-2:00 pm
FRI1 - Local Historic Zoning-Rob Crawford, Certified Local Government Coordinator Tennessee Historical Commission
Come learn about local zoning ordinances and how they can help protect your historic neighborhoods. Also, come learn how important it is for your community to become a "Certified Local Government" to participate in certain preservation programs.

FRI2 -Generating Support and Visibility through Membership and Media-Becky Hancock, Assistant Director Knox Heritage
There is strength in numbers, so developing a loyal donor base is crucial to the financial stability of your organization. The media can also be a powerful partner in spreading the word about your mission or latest project. This session will review the basics of a membership program, including recruiting new members and maintaining existing support, as well as strategies and practices to inform and engage the local and regional media outlets.

2:10 pm-3:00 pm
FRI3 - Context Sensitive Solutions: Working Together in Transportation-Julie Lamb, TN Dept. of Transportation Environment and Planning Bureau
This presentation will focus on the Tennessee Department of Transportation's improved project development process that focuses on working with key stakeholders to identify the context of a project area in order to discover the best solution for the transportation needs. The historic context of many areas in Tennessee make it vital for historic preservation stakeholders to be a part of the project development process.

FRI4 - From the Government and Here to Help: The Tennessee Historical Commission and its Programs-Patrick McIntyre, Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer Tennessee Historical Commission
Come learn how the State Historic Preservation Office assists preservation supporters across the state in promoting the protection and revitalization of Tennessee's historic buildings and neighborhoods.

3:10 pm-4:00 pm
FRI5 - Jonesborough: The Little Town with the Big Story - Bill Kennedy, Chair of the Jonesborough Historic Zoning Commission and an Advisor Emeritus of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Deborah Montanti, Executive Director of the Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia
As Tennessee's oldest town, the backdrop for the re-birth of the storytelling tradition and a Preserve America community, Jonesborough' s claim to the heritage tourism market is strong. Montanti and Kennedy will discuss Jonesborough's journey from a small dying town just off the interstate to a vibrant, authentic destination where our past is a cherished and vital part of our future.

FRI6 - I'm From the National Trust and I'm Here To Help You-Nancy Tinker, Senior Program Officer Southern Office of National Trust for Historic Preservation
Nancy Tinker comes armed with the tools of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and will share updates and information on funding programs, outreach initiatives, and Heritage Travel, a new subsidiary of the NTHP that combines social networking with heritage tourism.

4:30 pm-6:30 pm
FRI7 - Reception at the Townsend Visitors Center and Pavilion
Featuring live bluegrass music and Jack Neely who will speak about his new book, "Market Square: A History of the the Most Democratic Place on Earth." Jack will talk about the connection between the rual lands of East Tennessee and the commercial hub of Market Square. He will also be on hand to sign copies of the new book.
7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway

Saturday, September 19

8:00 am-9:00 am-Coffee and Baked Goods- Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

Conference Registration
9:00 am-10:00 am

SAT1 - Opening Session: Preserving Our Rural Heritage - Lessons from Kentucky's Rural Heritage Development Initiative -Amy Potts, Field Representative for the Kentucky Crossroads Rural Heritage Development Initiative
Amy Potts will explain this innovative demonstration program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Kentucky. Topics will include structuring a rural heritage program through historic preservation, heritage tourism and small town development; building partnerships; and lessons learned.

10:10 am-11:00 am
SAT2 - A look at downtown. . . What stories will our children tell? Kimberly Nyberg, Statewide Program Manager for the Tennessee Main Street Program
Kimberly Nyberg will address a variety of topics which relate to the revitalization of traditional downtowns and illustrating how communities are successfully reviving and striving to maintain livable downtown environments which appeal to all ages. Topics of the presentation will include: clever case studies and examples of great downtowns, importance of saving downtown, the National Main Street movement and its principals; reinvestment statistics and the statewide Main Street movement in Tennessee.

SAT3 - Burkhart Dairy Farm: Taking Pride in Preservation - Rachel Burkhart
Burkhart Dairy prides itself on being one of the few remaining dairy farms in Blount County. For them farming is not something to make money at or to do imply as a hobby. It is as important to our everyday lives as the air we breathe and the land we cultivate. Being able to preserve this land for agricultural use is a tremendous step towards planning for the future.

11:10 am-12:00 pm

SAT4~Next Steps for Heritage Development in Tennessee's Appalachia- C. Van West, Director, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation
Dr. West will speak about the Encyclopedia of Appalachia and go into new agendas, from the African America resource evaluation in Cocke County, to continued work on the New Deal, to the Getty survey for University of Tennessee, to the new Civil War Sesquicentennial projects, to the new African American cemetery project in Knox, Jefferson, and Greene Counties, and conclude with updates from Bradley County on its Trail of Tears resources.

12:00 pm-12:45 pm-Lunch & Self-Guided Tour of the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center Grounds

1:00 pm-1:50 pm
SAT5 -Keynote: Turning Troubled Historic Buildings into Economic Development Assets-J. Myrick Howard, President Preservation North Carolina
Preservation North Carolina is noted nationally for its work to find buyers for neglected and endangered historic properties across the state. Many of these properties have been in rural areas and small towns. Not only do the new buyers renovate the buildings, they bring fresh blood, energy and resources to their new communities. Myrick Howard, executive director for more than thirty years, will discuss how Preservation North Carolina's endangered properties program has leveraged more than $200 million in private investment in once-abandoned properties.

2:00 pm-3:00 pm
SAT6 - Getting Down to Business and Making it Work: A Preservationist Turned Mayor's Perspective - Ted Alexander, Mayor of City of Shelby, NC and Director of the SW Regional Office of Preservation North Carolina
This session will intersperse humor and real life experiences from a small town Mayor to discuss how preservation and "Main Street" proponents must learn to present their case for preservation and downtown revitalization by appealing to the best interests of political leaders who so often are in the decision-making role. From the irrational, to the rational, to the political, this session will delve into the motivating forces behind elected government officials and how preservationists can utilize these forces so that the two camps can mutually benefit.

SAT7 - The Smokies Biodiversity Inventory-Todd Witcher, Executive Director Discover Life in America

Every aspect of life in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is being studied extensively by scientists. The goal is to discover and catalog every type of living organism in the park from bacteria and slime molds to black bears and elk. This project is called the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (or ATBI), it is being coordinated by Discover Life in America (DLIA). Almost 900 species new to science and nearly 6500 species new to the park have been documented by the DIA teams of scientists and volunteers.

3:10 pm-4:00 pm

SAT8 - An Archaeological Perspective on Historic Cemetery Studies-Patrick H. Garrow, MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc.
Archaeological studies of historic cemeteries became much more common in the South in the 1990s. One reason for this was the passage of the Abandoned Cemetery and Burial Grounds Act in Georgia in 1991, which required that professional archaeologists be involved with locating and delineating human graves on property proposed for a change of land use. This presentation discusses the approaches that have been used on historic cemeteries by archaeologists to find and delineate graves and to relocate them when preservation in place was not an option.

SAT9 - Saving Historic Rosenwald Schools, a Case Study in TN of a Grant and Rehabilitation-Dan Brown, Tennessee Preservation Trust Executive Director
Join Dan as he discusses the in and outs of a National Trust Grant project and focus on the recent rehabilitation of the 1923 Cairo Rosenwald School by the Tennessee Preservation Trust in 2009. A thorough discussion of the project will be presented with photographs outlining the step by step process of the physical rehabilitation and the potential pitfalls of this project and grant projects in general will be discussed, and questions will follow.

All sessions are subject to change.

Murphy Farm Prepares for Next Century - Experience It Through a Blog and a Tour

2009-08-19T01:12:54Z

East Knox County has survived as one the last places to see the rural history of our community. A drive out Washington Pike, beyond the sea of retail that has washed up around I-640, still provides scenic views of farmland and historic houses that have weathered the last century or more. In recent years though, the present began intruding in the form of subdivisions and strip centers. A cynic would proclaim the area is destined to suffer the same fate as the western part of the county. An optimist would be relieved to see a glimmer of hope just around the corner.

In most cases these days the sight of freshly turned earth no longer signals the start of the planting season. Instead, it's usually the precursor of destruction and that's what I thought a while back as I passed through the intersection of Washington Pike and Murphy Road. The front yard of the beautiful old farmhouse I always admired had been transformed by a backhoe and construction equipment was visible. The new gas station, houses and proposed retail sprawl nearby caused me to assume the activity on the northeast corner was the next domino to fall on the way out toward the Ritta community and House Mountain. I was thrilled when I found out I was wrong.

The Murphy family, originally from Virginia, first settled on the 180-acre-farm in 1797. The Gothic style farmhouse has stood since about 1841, but remained mostly empty for the last decade - expect for the annual family reunions that brought the Murphy clan back to the home place. The farm is like a snapshot of a way of life that is rapidly disappearing. The old spring house is still in place - right next to the smokehouse - and the old windows still frame views of woods and fields.

The family's connection to the house and the land has endured, but the Murphy Farm has only recently found the person determined to restore it and protect it for at least a few more generations. That person is Kevin Murphy and he's come home from Florida with a determination to do the job right.

]]> Kevin's plans are a fascinating combination of meticulous restoration and the latest technology. On the day I visited I ruined a pair of sneakers tromping through a job site filled with orange mud and deep trenches. As experienced craftsmen worked on reassembling the ancient front porch, Kevin proudly explained the new geothermal system that will be used to heat and cool the old structure. As we examined the hand hewn timbers that make up the exterior walls he reported the house will be wired with the latest in communications infrastructure since his job allows him to telecommute.

He is also combining preservation and technology to share the story of the Murphy Farm and family. Kevin has been blogging about the restoration project since before the construction began and it's a glimpse into the history of his family and the transformation of their home. It is filled with photographs and provides regular updates on the progress of his design and construction team. He also shares information on the architectural and archaeological forensics that have shed light on the approximate age and history of the house. You can read all about it at Murphy Springs: Restoring Murphy Farm.

You can see the project in person during an open house and tour planned for this weekend. It's a rare opportunity to explore a historic house of this age while it's under construction. Kevin issued the following invitation:

All area preservationists are invited to preview the Murphy House (4508 Murphy Road) on Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. until noon. Come see the restoration project in progress while the walls and foundation are opened up and you can see "the bones" of a wood-framed house built circa 1841. A formal open house will be held in the spring after restoration is complete. No refreshments will be provided; bring water if it's hot and old shoes if it's been raining.

I can vouch for him on the part about the old shoes. I plan to pull my ruined ones out of the back of the car upon arrival.

The Mary Boyce Temple House - Restoring the Home of a Pioneering Preservationist

2009-07-12T13:42:40Z

The Mary Boyce Temple House stands like a sentinel on Hill Avenue at the northern end of the Henley Bridge. During the second half of the 20th century its original grandeur slowly faded and most Knoxvillians only remember it as a shabby apartment building or an abandoned building occupied by the homeless. Built in 1907, the Queen Style structure has endured an odyssey that would have destroyed most houses. Instead, it was saved from the brink of destruction by a mayor, many preservationists, a hotel developer and one very dedicated architect. It is a fitting outcome for the former home of one of Knoxville's first preservationists.

]]> The house was built for the Chambliss family, but its most prominent owner was Mary Boyce Temple, the daughter of Oliver Perry Temple and Scotia Caledonia Hume Temple. She lived in the house from 1922 until her death in 1929. Miss Temple was a woman of amazing accomplishments for the era in which she lived. She was educated at Vassar and spent each social season in Washington, DC, where she entertained guests at the Willard and Mayflower Hotels. She represented the State of Tennessee at expositions and official ceremonies around the world, including the Paris World Exposition and the opening of the Panama Canal. She also achieved national stature as a suffragette. Locally she had an enduring impact through her civic activities, including founding the Bonny Kate Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as a founder and president of Ossoli Circle, and leading the effort to save Blount Mansion from demolition for a parking lot. The mansion is now Knoxville's only building designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Upon her death Miss Temple left her house to the University of Tennessee. It was later sold and its era as a rental property began. In the 1940s, it became the Aston Tourist Home as its owners took advantage of the tourist traffic passing through Knoxville on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. During that time a smaller structure was built on the lot between the Temple House and the Lord Lindsey in order to maximize guest accommodations. Residential and office rentals followed and the house continued to deteriorate as it made its way down the rental food chain. Mountain River Associates and Gameday purchased it in 2001, and the house stood empty, its fate uncertain, as it was vandalized by vagrants.

In 2002, it was revealed the developer of the Hampton Inn on the corner of Main and Henley was considering purchasing the Temple House and the Lord Lindsey. The plans at the time called for both houses to be destroyed and replaced with a parking lot for hotel guests. Preservationists rallied support to save both buildings and Mayor Victor Ashe protected the properties and others on the block by initiating the creation of the local Hill Avenue Historic District. Discussions continued with the developer, Shalesh Patel, who redesigned his parking plans and joined forces with those working to save the houses. He even agreed to direct a portion of his tax increment financing toward the restoration of the Temple House. Now the house just needed a new owner - or in this case, a savior who would take on the Herculean task of its restoration.

The person who emerged was an unlikely savior - a local architect who didn't fit the profile of a big time downtown developer with a pocket full of cash and banking connections. Brian Pittman had assisted in efforts to save the house from the wrecking ball, and in the process, fell in love with the place. Through sheer force of will and a persistence that is rarely seen, he managed to purchase the house from Mountain River and Gameday. He planned to finance the restoration the old fashioned way - through a bank loan and selling his mid-century modern house in South Knoxville. There is one unusual twist in his plan though. Brian is the artist who creates the intricate and breathtakingly beautiful cathedral drawings that now hang in galleries downtown and in Bearden. The money made from the sale of each cathedral is used to restore the Temple House.

Though progress has been frustratingly slow, due to the scale of the project and the current real estate market, but the forward motion has never ceased - even when it wasn't visible from the street. Brian began by gutting the interior of the Temple House to remove decades of alterations and debris and removed exterior additions that obscured its classic beauty. He then turned his attention to the little house next door. Now that he has sold his home in South Knoxville, that is where he will live until the restoration of the Temple House is complete.

The project recently reached a milestone thanks to some fireworks. The three-story-tall metal fire escape was removed while the City of Knoxville closed the Henley Bridge to traffic for the Independence Day celebration. This summer the repair of the brick can begin and that will allow new windows to be installed. Brian has even managed to obtain the windows as a donation from Pella and they will be appropriate for the historic character of the house. The porch will be rebuilt, the foundation and chimneys repaired and the newly-restored, original wrought iron details will be reinstalled. Then the interior restoration can begin.

Brian has created a website about the house and its restoration. You can visit www.maryboycetemplehouse.com to learn about its history and see photos of the house before and during the restoration. When the project is complete it will be a tribute to one of Knoxville's early preservationists brought about by the passion of one very dedicated architect.

Gay Street's 500 Block Restorations Near Completion - A Photo Tour

2009-06-09T03:23:19Z

In January of 2005, it looked like six historic buildings in the 500 block of Gay Street, located between the Farragut Building to the south and the Fidelity Bank Building to the north, would be lost. They would be replaced by a sprawling new multi-screen cinema complex that government and business leaders hoped would be the missing link for downtown Knoxville's rebirth. It seemed that many Knoxvillians were ready to sacrifice the buildings for that ever-elusive thing known as "progress." That same month the Knox Heritage Board of Directors gathered and voted to oppose the demolition of the iconic structures, including the S&W Cafeteria Building, the Athletic House, the former WROL studios, the Walgreen's Building and the Gaut Ogden Stationers Building.

One phone call transformed that looming battle into a cooperative effort between Knox Heritage and the City of Knoxville. That call between Knox Heritage Board President Finbarr Saunders and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam was the first step in pulling the 500 block of Gay Street back from the brink. For more than two decades most of the buildings had stood vacant as multiple redevelopment plans fell through. They dodged bullet after bullet - a Knox County government plan to demolish them for a new downtown justice center and jail; demolition for a City of Knoxville transit center combined with a theater multiplex; and general neglect that resulted in collapsed roofs and crumbling facades.

As Mayor Haslam waited in an airport for a plane that day in January, he and now County Commissioner Saunders agreed to take a second look at the project and see if a compromise could be found. The final agreement they reached allowed 45 days for Knox Heritage to propose an alternative design that would preserve as much of the historic fabric as possible while meeting the goals of the city and the needs of Regal Entertainment Group.

That effort, begun more than four years ago, laid the groundwork for the construction of the new Regal Riviera and the preservation of some of Knoxville's most beloved historic buildings. Downtown now has its successful movie theatre and, thanks to the local development team of John Craig, Mike Hatcher, Tim Hill and Dane Baker, it will also have its historic buildings filled with the S&W Grand Cafe, Coolato Gelato, professional offices and retail space - all in the same space once set aside for the new cinema alone. The attention to detail in the restorations is rare and will surely be appreciated once they are unveiled. The first business, Coolato Gelato, will open within the week, many of the offices will be filled in the coming month and the S&W Grand Cafe is scheduled to open its doors in September. It's a success story few expected in the winter of 2005.

All historic photos courtesy of the McClung Collection - Knox County Public Library.

500 Block of Gay Street Looking North - June 2009

500 Block of Gay Street Looking North - 1925

This photo from the McClung Collection shows the Farragut Building in the far right corner. The next building advertises Electro-Turkish Baths and was built in the alley that once led to the circa 1830 Crozier Mansion. The next two buildings to the north are what we know today as the WROL / Central House Hotel Building and the Athletic House / Knaffl Brothers Building. The next two buildings to the north were combined and given a new facade to create the S&W Cafeteria in 1937. The Gaut Ogden Stationers Building stood between the S&W and the original Riviera Theatre, but could not be saved after decades of neglect. The Walgreen's Building just south of the Fidelity Bank Building met the same fate.

The S&W Building - 1937

The S&W Building - June 2009

The Art Deco style exterior of the building retains most of its historic materials, unlike the interior which was largely destroyed by decades of neglect. The building will be the home of the S&W Grand Cafe that is scheduled to open in September.

]]> S&W Building - Main Dining Room - 1937

Notice the woodwork, mirrors and ceiling medallions in this photo - all of which were lost or severely damaged. The only original elements still remaining today are the terrazzo floors and marble staircase, which are being polished and restored.

S&W Building - Main Dining Room - June 2009

Notice the new woodwork replicating the look of the original columns and the ceiling being readied for installation of new medallions which were cast from one of the surviving originals.

New Ceiling Medallions - Replicas of the Originals

The S&W Building - Staircase and Mezzanine - 1937

The original staircase and mezzanine are being rebuilt by the developers. The wall of the mezzanine at the upper right of the photo had an unusual wallcovering - Capiz shells. Almost 10,000 of those shells will be used to recreate it today.

The S&W Building - Staircase and Mezzanine - June 2009

A Surprising Find - Skylights Lost Long Ago

These skylights were covered over and forgotten long ago - the original windows still in place. The developers were thrilled to find them. A new roof covers the building, but the skylights will be restored and modern lighting used to give the effect of the originals.

The WROL / Central House Hotel Building - 1937

This Italianate style building (circa 1875) has a long history as a hotel and once housed the studios of WROL. The second floor windows originally matched those of the third story, but had already been "modernized" by the time this photo was taken. The storefront was also changed dramatically from its original design.

The WROL / Central House Hotel Building - June 2009

The building will now house multiple tenants. Coolato Gelato plans to open in the next week or so and will be serving authentic Italian gelato and espresso, as well as Panini's. The second floor of the building will be home to landscape architects Carol R. Johnson and Associates and Elizabeth Eason Architecture will occupy the third floor.

WROL Building Balconies Overlook Patio

Most people will be surprised when they make their way through the old Crozier Mansion alley. There they will find an outdoor area with balconies overlooking the patio connected to the basement space of the S&W Building - which is still available for lease.

Coolato Gelato Takes Shape

The Athletic House / Knaffl Brothers Building - circa 1937

Looks can be deceiving at the Athletic House. This building originally displayed the Victorian style of the era when it was built, but in the late 1920s it was also "modernized" and its facade simplified.

The Athletic House / Knaffl Brothers Building - June 2009

This building is also deceptive when it comes to its size. The developers have managed to include 5 levels of space that is still available for a restaurant, retail or office tenant. The interior has the feel of a fantastic bookstore or creative office environment.

The Athletic House / Knaffl Brothers Building - Retail / Office Loft Space Overlooking Gay Street

Knox Heritage Announces "Fragile 15" List of Endangered Historic Places

2009-05-15T15:00:00Z

2009

Knox County's Most Endangered Historic Places

1. Standard Knitting Mill -1400 Washington Avenue.

2. The Eugenia Williams House - 4848 Lyons View Pike.

3. Historic Park City.

4. Scenic Vistas and Ridgetops.

5. Vacant Historic Knox County School Buildings:

· Oakwood Elementary (232 E. Churchwell Avenue)

· South High (801 Tipton Avenue)

· Eastport Elementary (2036 Bethel Avenue)

· Flenniken Elementary (115 Flenniken Avenue)

· Rule High (1901 Vermont Avenue)

6. Park City Presbyterian Church - 2204 Linden Avenue.

7. Cal Johnson Building - 301 State Street.

8. Odd Fellows Cemetery - 2001 Bethel Avenue.

9. The McClung Warehouses - 501-525 W. Jackson Avenue.

10. Fort Sanders Houses & Grocery - 307 18^th Street & 1802, 1804, 1810 Highland Avenue.

11. Knoxville College National Register District - 901 College Street.

12. French Broad River Corridor.

13. The Pickle Mansion - 1633 Clinch Avenue.

14. Maplehurst Neighborhood.

15. Edelmar - 3624 Topside Road.

]]> The 2009 "Fragile 15" Endangered Historic Places

1. Standard Knitting Mill.

This circa 1945 building is the only remaining structure associated with Standard Knitting Mill. During the 1930's Standard was the largest textile and knitting mill in Knoxville. It was founded in 1900 with 50 employees and over the years grew to employ over 4,000 Knoxvillians. Standard eventually produced over one million garments a week and inspired Knoxville's title as "Underwear Capital of the World."

The future is uncertain for Standard Knitting Mill. Located in the industrial swath of land between the historic Parkridge and Fourth and Gill Neighborhoods, the original portion of the mill was in place along Washington Avenue by 1903. Later additions almost doubled the size of the complex, but the earliest portion was destroyed in the early 1990s. The current footprint still comes in at over 400,000 square feet and was the home of Delta Apparel until 2007. As Delta made plans to relocate, The Landmark Group out of North Carolina appeared on the scene. The developer was interested in the Knoxville mill and proposed that Delta donate the mill, appraised at just over $2 million, to a non-profit organization in exchange for a charitable deduction equal to the value of the property. The non-profit could then sell the building to a developer. The Landmark Group planned to be that developer and reportedly planned to spend up to $50 million creating a mixed-use development.

In June of 2007 Delta Apparel donated the mill and surrounding land to The Mid-Atlantic Foundation in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Since that transfer, the mill, a highly visible landmark along I-40 on the east side of downtown, has stood dark and empty. Back in the summer of 2007, when the transfer was being finalized, there were no plans for the new owners to maintain the sprinkler system and the roof had already developed several leaks. Recent reports indicate homeless people have taken up residence in the lower level. The Landmark Group never purchased it.

It's time for the owner and the community to insure the future existence of Standard Knitting Mill. The Mid-Atlantic Foundation must secure the building immediately and make the sprinkler system operational. It is irresponsible to do otherwise. Another loss of a historic industrial building due to neglect and arson can be avoided. The Foundation should work aggressively with the City of Knoxville, KCDC and the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership to market the site for redevelopment that preserves the building and compliments the renaissance underway in the surrounding historic neighborhoods. The site is adjacent to the new Hall of Fame Drive, close to downtown and highly visible from the interstate. This makes for an attractive location and incentives already exist that can be utilized to spur its redevelopment.

2. The Eugenia Williams House.

Eugenia Williams was born to Dr. David H. Williams and Ella Cornick Williams in January 1900. Dr. Williams was a prominent physician and one of the original financial backers who introduced Coca-Cola to East Tennessee. In 1940, Eugenia commissioned her childhood friend, John Staub, to design her new residence. Staub, a native Knoxvillian, is best known for designing homes for many of the wealthiest and most influential Texans, with a little over half of his design work located in Houston. He was also the architect for the well-loved Hopecote on the UT Knoxville campus.

Miss Williams' Regency-style home sits on 24 acres bordering Lake Loudoun and Lyons View Pike and features a three-car garage with automatic garage door openers, which was a novelty in 1940. In 1998, the house was willed to the University of Tennessee as a memorial to Eugenia's father.

Since Miss Williams' death the house has been plagued by vandals, but its character-defining details remain and the house is still solid. It has the potential to be a true asset to the University and its future should be decided soon in order to avoid further deterioration. There are many possible uses and local philanthropists have already expressed an interest in rallying around its restoration. We strongly encourage UT to move forward with plans for this signature property and maximize its benefit to the University and the Knoxville area before it is too late.

3. Historic Park City.

Park City was an incorporated town on the outskirts of Knoxville from the 1880s until 1917 when the area was annexed and incorporated into the City of Knoxville. Park City represents the central part of East Knoxville today and is home to a wide range of historic architectural styles. From Victorians and Bungalows to the later Revival styles, the area has a rich history that tells the story of Knoxvillians across the socio-economic and racial spectrum.

Park City also contains several low-to-moderate income neighborhoods where the creation of affordable owner-occupied and rental housing has been a goal of residents and community leaders for years. This noble objective has had unintended consequences over the last 20 years as non-profit, government and for-profit developers have built incompatible new housing in the midst of established neighborhoods filled with historic housing stock. In most cases that new housing was not designed to blend in with the existing architecture and has served to diminish the overall appeal and value of the areas of Park City not protected by local historic zoning. This harms those neighborhoods and in some cases makes them ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. That excludes them from the federal financial incentives and protections that could help in the revitalization of the neighborhoods.

Recently, non-profit housing organizations like Knox Housing Partnership have realized the positive impact of good design on the communities they serve. They have made the transition to affordable housing that incorporates historic characteristics into the exterior design of their homes in a way that benefits the neighborhood and increases the likelihood the houses will appreciate in value over time and positively impact the values of surrounding properties.

It is time for affordable housing providers - non-profit, for-profit and government alike - to follow Knox Housing Partnership's lead and create new housing in Park City that is respectful of its history and benefits all residents. It is also time for the City of Knoxville to protect the area with overlay zoning - Historic, Neighborhood Conservation or Infill Housing - that insures new construction blends with the fabric of existing neighborhoods. These tools should also be applied to the current efforts to revitalize commercial areas throughout Park City.

4. Scenic Vistas and Ridgetops.

Writers often describe Knoxville as being "nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains." More than most cities, Knoxville is defined by the ridges and rivers that surround it. The views we enjoy today are similar to the views the first inhabitants took in and cherished. But those views are threatened by development that is not asked to address the costs imposed on the community for its associated infrastructure and quality of life.

5. Vacant Historic Knox County School Buildings:

Oakwood Elementary School - 232 E. Churchwell Avenue

This Oakwood neighborhood icon is currently owned by the Knox County School System and is used for storage. The later addition is occupied by the Teacher Supply Depot. The Knox County School System has moved most of its activities out of the building and has discussed plans to sell it for private development. This year the Knox County School Board voted to allow the East Tennessee Community Design Center to work with residents to create a plan for the building. Due to the rapid deterioration of the building, Knox Heritage calls upon the School Board to act immediately to make the repairs necessary to stabilize the historic portion of the building. If this is not done soon, little will be left after the planning process to attract private redevelopment of the structure. Time is rapidly running out for Oakwood School due to the school system's neglect and the resulting water damage occurring in the building.

South High School - 801 Tipton Avenue.

South High was designed by noted local architect Charles Barber and was built in 1935-1936 as South Knoxville Junior High School. The school opened in 1937. Barber was the primary architect of 14 schools in Knoxville and Knox County prior to 1940. It served as a junior high school and a high school until the last graduating class in 1976. The building sustained serious roof damage over the last few years and that water infiltration has harmed the structural integrity of the building.

Preservationists and residents of South Knoxville began their efforts to save historic South High in 2002. In 2004 the Knox County School Board surplused the building to Knox County so it could be redeveloped as a community asset. County Commission voted to auction the building to the highest bidder last year. The high bidder at the June 2008 auction was Bahman Kasraei. Mr. Kasraei expressed his intent to preserve the building, but construction was delayed until this spring. The roof of the building is being replaced, but it is just the beginning of the construction process. Knox Heritage strongly encourages Mr. Kasraei to proceed as quickly as possible to complete the stabilization of the building and identify a use that will insure the long term preservation of this South Knoxville landmark.

Eastport Elementary - 2036 Bethel Avenue.

The original Eastport School was founded circa 1870 and is believed to be the first school established for African Americans in the Eastport community. The current building, built in 1932, was designed by Ryno and Brackney Architects. The school was expanded with additions in 1948, 1956 and 1958. The historic part of the structure is currently vacant while the mid-century additions are used by the school system.

KCDC recently announced plans to restore the school for senior housing and City Council approved federal Neighborhood Stabilization Funds for that purpose. Since that time questions have been raised about the building's compatibility with KCDC's proposed use and the option of demolition has been put on the table. Knox Heritage calls upon KCDC to diligently review its plans for the school building and explore all options for its preservation. If the building is not suitable for senior housing, KCDC should work with the City of Knoxville, Knox Heritage and residents to identify another use that will preserve one of the most significant buildings related to African American history in Knoxville.

Flenniken Elementary - 115 Flenniken Avenue

In 1850 the first Flenniken School building stood at the corner of Maryville Highway and what would later be called Sims Road. In 1917 the City of Knoxville annexed the area around the school and it became a part of the city school system. The current building on Flenniken Avenue was built in 1919 and contained only seven rooms. Additions made in 1926 and 1956 expanded it to its current footprint. The school has been vacant and vulnerable since it closed in the mid-1990's and is currently owned by Terminus Real Estate Inc.

Several potential private developers considered the school for redevelopment in recent years, but no one stepped up to take on the project and put together the financing required. The building is now the focus of a plan by Southeastern Housing Foundation to develop 48 units of permanent, supportive housing as a part of the city and county's Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. The project will require several sources of funding, including a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank, historic preservation tax credits and affordable housing tax credits from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, in order to come to fruition. Knox Heritage will continue to advocate for the preservation and reuse of the building and provide technical assistance to any potential developer, non-profit or for-profit, determined to save the school building.

Rule High - 1901 Vermont Avenue

Rule High School was named after Captain William Rule a former Union Army Captain who went on to become the mayor of Knoxville, as well as publisher and editor of the Knoxville Journal from 1885 until his death in 1928. Rule High School was built in circa 1926-1927 and opened in the fall of 1927. The school closed in 1991 and is currently owned by the Knox County School Board which leases it to a non-profit organization. The school continues to languish in a deteriorated state and the resources for its preservation are lacking. Knox Heritage encourages the Knox County School to review the existing lease arrangement and identify potential users with the financial ability to preserve and reuse the structure.

6. Former Park City Presbyterian Church at 2204 Linden Avenue.

This Gothic Revival style church was built circa 1891 and extensively remodeled in 1924. It has been vacant for several years, but still retains its architectural details, including beautiful stained glass windows. This church represents what can happen as populations shift over time and church congregations dwindle. Buildings that are institutions in the communities they occupy are endangered as fewer dollars are available for maintenance and programming. In some cases church buildings are "recycled" when new congregations move in or community organizations put them to good use. In other cases churches are converted to residential or commercial uses.

Knox Heritage encourages the current owners to repair the building for a use that will benefit the surrounding area or make it available for purchase so it can survive with a new purpose while still gracing its community with its presence.

7. Cal Johnson Building.

This State Street building (circa 1898) was built in the Vernacular Commercial style and was originally used as a factory for sewing overalls. It was constructed by Knoxville's first African American millionaire and is most likely the largest commercial structure remaining in Knoxville built by a former slave. Cal Johnson also served as a city alderman during his extensive career, which included the operation of several area saloons and one of Knoxville's most popular and durable horse racing tracks. It could be a featured site in current efforts to encourage heritage tourism related to Knox County's African American residents and their ancestors.

The building is threatened by long term, ongoing deterioration and a lack of maintenance by the current owners. Knox Heritage calls upon those property owners to make long-overdue repairs and hopes the current level of downtown redevelopment will spur the repair and reuse of this important structure before it is too late.

8. Odd Fellows Cemetery - 2001 Bethel Avenue.

The organization that created Odd Fellows Cemetery no longer exists and this has left it in limbo for decades. Various efforts by local governments and citizens groups have prevented the complete destruction of the cemetery, but the financial resources required to restore and maintain the many grave markers and interpret the site for a new generation of Knoxvillians have never been secured. This leaves the site vulnerable to vandalism and decay. It is a problem plaguing historic cemeteries across the region. Knox Heritage will seek to work with groups and citizens interested in establishing a "friends" organization for the cemetery, similar to group that maintains Old Gray Cemetery on Broadway. Until a sustainable source of funding can be found, the cemetery will remain endangered.

9. The McClung Warehouses - 501-525 W. Jackson Avenue.

Two years after an inferno destroyed half of the McClung Warehouse complex on Jackson Avenue, there has been no progress made to rescue Knoxville's most visible endangered buildings. The fire illustrated the worst case scenario for vacant and blighted historic buildings. Three historic buildings were lost and one thriving business owner lost everything and was displaced. The opportunity still exists to redevelop the remaining buildings into loft and retail space, thus improving the tax base for all Knox County residents.

A structural analysis of the remaining buildings conducted at the request of the City of Knoxville revealed they are sound and suitable for redevelopment. We call upon KCDC and the City of Knoxville to act immediately to secure a viable developer for the remaining buildings. Continued delays only encourage the behavior the current owner has displayed for over a decade - behavior which has not resulted in redevelopment of the buildings.

Knox Heritage Announces "Fragile 15" - The Rest of the List

2009-05-15T14:58:03Z

10. Fort Sanders Houses & Grocery - 307 18^th Street & 1802, 1804, 1810 Highland Avenue.

These historic structures on the southwest corner of the 1800 block of Highland Avenue comprise one of the few remaining dividing lines between the concentration of residential and medical uses in the Historic Fort Sanders Neighborhood. They all were purchased by Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in February of 2008. The residential structures are now surrounded by barbed-wire-topped chain link fencing and the 18^th Street IGA's continued operation is in doubt. The fate of all four buildings is uncertain.

A recent revival of long range neighborhood planning efforts requested by neighborhood residents and facilitated by the City of Knoxville, is a step in the right direction. All the stakeholders are at the table and there is an opportunity to turn the Fort around for the benefit of all.

Any long range planning should promote preservation of the historic structures that have managed to dodge the wrecking ball over the last 50 years. These four properties offer the opportunity for a new era of cooperation between Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and neighborhood residents. The newly formed, resident-led Fort Sanders Community Development Corporation is the perfect vehicle for a solution. The hospital should partner with residents to preserve the buildings or donate them to the Fort Sanders CDC if it has no plans to preserve them. The group's mission will guide its efforts to retain the neighborhood grocery while restoring the residential properties for single family occupancy. That outcome would further stabilize the neighborhood, as opposed to the permanent damage that will result from the demolition these four highly visible historic buildings.

307 18th Street

This Commercial Vernacular style building was constructed circa 1923 as the W.T. Roberts Grocery Store, but over the years Fort Sanders' residents have known it as the 18^th Street IGA. Roberts owned and operated the store from 1923 until 1950. During that time he had a short commute from his home at 1802 Highland Avenue just around the corner. In 1950 the store became the Fred McMahan Grocery Store and the owner had an even shorter commute. He lived on the second floor of the building.

1802 Highland Avenue

1804 Highland Avenue

This Victorian Cottage was built circa 1898 and the first owner was Reverend Isaac Van Dewater.

1810 Highland Avenue

11. Knoxville College National Register District - 901 College Street.

Knoxville College was founded in 1875 as part of the missionary effort of the United Presbyterian Church of North America to promote religious, moral and educational leadership among freed men and women. The National Register District is composed of 10 buildings, eight of which are contributing, and two which are non-contributing. Knoxville College has significantly contributed to the educational and spiritual welfare of the African American population in Tennessee since 1875, particularly in the fields of industrial and normal education.

The buildings at Knoxville College are a tribute to the creativity and resourcefulness of the student body. While pursuing their education, students designed and constructed these historic buildings using bricks they manufactured at the campus. This spirit of involvement continues today, even as Knoxville College struggles to continue its mission. The historic buildings, with their fine craftsmanship and solid design, are deserving of support from the entire community and their preservation is a critical part of the rebirth of the college. Knox Heritage and its members stand ready to assist the college in its efforts to preserve its architectural heritage and encourage Knox County residents and their elected representatives to support the college's efforts.

12. French Broad River Corridor.

The French Broad River was one of the earliest settlement paths in Knox County. By the mid 1780s, early homes and industries were located on both sides of the river. It was the settlers' highway; ferries crossed it linking communities on both of its banks. Francis Alexander Ramsey settled in this corridor and the stone Ramsey House still stands today. There is evidence to suggest that James White built his first house in the area. In The Annals of Tennessee by Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey, the French Broad Corridor is described as the home of Alexander Campbell; the large Georgian style house he built still stands. On both sides of the French Broad some of the best architectural examples of early Knox County - pre-historic settlements, a mill, churches and early cemeteries and ferry landings - tell the story of a river that acted as a highway for commerce and social interaction. The French Broad River corridor, because of its relative isolation and lack of urban infrastructure, retained its historic places, scenery, breathtaking views and vistas and it is a portrait of Knox County in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries.

13. The Pickle Mansion. - 1633 Clinch Avenue.

The Pickle Mansion was built in 1889 in the Queen Anne style. It was built of solid masonry construction with a brick veneer wall covering on that masonry. Typical of grand houses of the Queen Anne era, it boasted a hip roof with lower cross gables, a turret, elaborate attic vent windows, window arches, transoms and a large front and side wrap around porch.

The house was burned in a disastrous fire that occurred in August of 2002, and suffered extensive damage. The current owner was able to purchase the house from its previous owners, who were denied in their request to demolish the building. After the purchase the current owner navigated an extensive and necessary subdivision process and took steps to finance the restoration. Fire debris has been removed and roof trusses have been designed with the intent of completing a rehabilitation of the house and restoring its architectural presence on Clinch Avenue. However, although interior work to prevent additional deterioration has been completed, the house is still unroofed. Rehabilitation work has begun, but the slow pace of that work leaves the house in a precarious position.

Knox Heritage encourages the owner to move swiftly to get the house under roof and begin the long-awaited restoration of this Fort Sanders Neighborhood landmark.

14. The Maplehurst Neighborhood.

Maplehurst was developed in its present form in the early twentieth century, and contains Mission, Tudor Revival, Craftsman, Bungalow and Spanish Colonial Revival buildings that were popular architectural styles of that era. Maplehurst was first the site of an earlier residence known as Maplehurst, from which the area took its name, and is typical of residential areas developed near downtown. The buildings have furnished rental housing for downtown workers, students, and others over the years; many are now in poor condition, and threatened by neglect.

The area has become known as an enclave for local artists and musicians who enjoy the location surrounded by downtown, the river and the university. Most of the buildings were purchased by Atlanta-based Gameday, a developer of luxury sports condominiums, several years ago. Since that time promised plans for the restoration of the buildings have not come to fruition and a split between the firm's partners has left the future of their properties in limbo. They are now owned by Mountain River Associates.

The lack of maintenance and a riverfront location increase the potential peril for the well-loved neighborhood. Knox Heritage calls upon the owners to bring the vacant and deteriorating buildings up to code and improve the general conditions of the historic buildings they own in order to protect the buildings and the residents who live in and around them.

15. Edelmar - 3624 Topside Road.

This house built in 1914 was the summer home of prominent Knoxvillian C.B. Atkin. It is named after Atkin's three daughters - Edith, Eleanor and Marion. Atkin was an important figure in Knoxville's history, the proprietor of several businesses, including the Fountain City Railway Company. He founded a furniture company that crafted furnishings for some of Knoxville's finest homes, and a business that manufactured fireplace mantles for elegant mansions nationwide. Atkin developed a large portion of Knoxville's Oakwood and Fountain City suburbs, and built two hotels and two theatres in downtown Knoxville.

The 30-acre-estate overlooking the Little River portion of Lake Loudon was subdivided into smaller lots and auctioned to the highest bidder. The new owner had requested a rezoning in order to develop the site but later withdrew the application. The MPC staff report, prepared in conjunction with the proposed rezoning of this property, called for historic zoning (HZ) to be placed on the 6600 square foot Atkin family home known as Edelmar and the surrounding parcel in order to guarantee preservation of this significant building.

Knox Heritage encourages the current owners to secure the house against vandalism and arson while they are planning for the future of the site. We also recommend the house be protected with historic zoning as part of any development plan for the larger site.

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Nine Counties Preservation Alliance Takes Off

2009-04-22T01:16:48Z

Next week a renewed regional preservation effort will formally take hold when preservationists gather for a meeting in downtown Knoxville. Over 70 people showed up for the last gathering of citizens from across the region that was held in late January. As that meeting began, they learned Cormac McCarthy's childhood home was burning in South Knoxville. It was a tragic reminder of why the success of their efforts is so important.

The Nine Counties Preservation Alliance will meet on April 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the East Tennessee History Center to elect a board of directors and begin planning a regional preservation conference scheduled for September 18 and 19 of this year.

It's an effort that began almost nine years ago and is finally reaching a goal envisioned then by citizens across the region: Create an adequately staffed and funded regional historic preservation organization (the Preservation Alliance) to facilitate the preservation and reuse of historic structures and encourage heritage-sensitive development.

Back in 2000, when the Nine Counties. One Vision. planners took on the task of helping all of us think regionally, I had no idea historic preservation would turn out to be a priority for people across the region. It ranked right up there with Downtown Knoxville, transportation, economic development and other issues of obvious interest to East Tennesseans.

We met with people across the region and helped form the Nine Counties Preservation Alliance with representatives from Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Roane, Sevier and Union Counties. The Alliance met regularly and produced regional preservation conferences in Dandridge and Maryville with support from Knox Heritage staff. However, Knox Heritage's tiny staff was soon overwhelmed by the workload in Knox County and unable to provide the same level of support for the Alliance. It went dormant for a couple of years even though the needs in the nine county region did not diminish.

Last year Knox Heritage applied for and secured a three year Partners in the Field grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Robert Wilson Charitable Trust. It allowed us to hire a full-time staff person to provide preservation field services throughout the region. We hired Knoxville native Ethiel Garlington and he has been reconnecting the network of preservationists and interested citizens across the region over the last five months. The first step is reorganizing the Nine Counties Preservation Alliance, but he has a long list of work ahead of him, including providing:

- technical assistance for the Nine County Preservation Alliance to create a strategic plan that will increase the effectiveness of its advocacy efforts.

- techincal assistance for existing preservation organizations in order to make them more effective advocates and increase the level of services they provide in their communities.

- technical assistance for homeowners and developers of commercial and residential real estate.

- organizing activities in counties without a preservation organization in order to engage interested individuals and organizations in the creation of a preservation organization.

- an annual, regional preservation conference to provide educational and networking opportunities for interested residents, government officals and organizations.

- regular workshops in all nine counties to provide information on preservation tools and incentives.

- one-on-one assistance for local governments and officials interested in increasing preservation efforts in their communities.

- National Register nominations for strategic eligible properties.

- creation of publications and expansion of the Knox Heritage website in order to provide information and resources throughout the nine county region.

So, come on down and help preserve the best parts of our region. The meeting is open to anyone interested in joining our efforts. For more information, call Ethiel at (865) 523-8008 or send an email to egarlington@knoxheritage.org.

Resurrection in Sharps Chapel

2009-03-27T14:27:49Z

One of my recent field trips took me 45 minutes north of downtown to a place called Sharps Chapel. Located in Union County, just north of Maynardville off Highway 33, it's a place I'd never thought to visit until friends undertook an extreme relocation from urban Knoxville to that rural community. They've been inviting me out to see their new, old digs for two years, but it took a driving tour with Union County historian Bonnie Peters to get me out there. Now I wonder why I waited so long.

My friends Dave Whaley and Tomica Miller were fixtures in the Old North Knoxville neighborhood for years. So was the bed and breakfast they operated - The Brimer House Inn. Their inn was a popular destination, but Dave discovered he preferred restoration work over changing sheets and dealing with the sometimes maddening behavior of their paying house guests. So he and Tomica began driving country roads looking for land and plotting their escape to a peaceful, rural setting.

The story of how they found their current project sounds like a combination of serendipity and fate.

]]> Dave and Tomica first stumbled upon the Jacob Sharp House when they were lost on the back roads of Union County. They could just make out the form of the two story brick house obscured by vines and brush at the end of a dirt road. After a little trespassing they knew they had found a treasure and wanted to find out who owned it.

They backtracked to a little store down the road where one of the locals told them it was known around there as the Bait Ousley House and they should contact the WIVK DJ Gunner, who was related to the owners. Gunner put them in touch with R.T. Ousley who, along with his sister Pauline Janes, had inherited the house from their parents in 1974.

The five-bay Federal style house was built in 1835 by Jacob Sharp on 700 acres of land originally granted to his father, Revolutionary War veteran Henry Sharp. Jacob was a Methodist minister and successful merchant at the time. In 1874 the house was sold to Jacob Ousley and remained in his family for 132 years. The house was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 due to community efforts to protect it, but it languished, unoccupied, for almost 30 years. It was known as the area's old haunted house and few thought it would survive.

The Ousleys had given up hope of restoring it when architectural salvager Scott Brady showed up in 2003 and bought the place with the intention of moving it to another location. Luckily, he was distracted by a massive distillery deconstruction in Kentucky and the house remained in place.

This turned out to be a bit of serendipity. Dave had met Brady while restoring the Brimer House Inn and was able to contact him immediately about the house. A purchase was arranged and the Ousleys happily sold them the land on which the house stands.

It could be said Dave and Tomica purchased a ruin in 2006. The house was uninhabitable, so after they sold the Brimer House Inn they took up temporary residence in a mobile home on the property. The roof and portions of some walls of the house had failed. Some critical architectural details were missing. That is another interesting facet of this tale.

For several years Dave had admired some massive fireplace mantels Brady had stored at his salvage business. When Dave talked with him about replacing the missing mantels out at Sharps Chapel, Brady informed him the mantels he'd admired came from the Sharp House and he returned them to be installed in their original location. They are there now in the place where they were installed almost 150 years ago.

The Jacob Sharp House is definitely a product of the time it was built. Most materials original to the house were produced on the land surrounding it. The bricks were made by slaves and you still can see a handprint captured on a brick in the wall of the ell at the back of the house. The floor and ceiling joists were milled from trees cut on the farm.

When Dave decided to complete most of the restoration himself he also decided to follow in the tradition of those who built the house. He has been working on it for over two years so far. He and a friend cut yellow pines from the property and set up a saw mill on site to cut the floor and ceiling joists needed to replace those that had rotted. But even portions of those compromised original timbers will be remilled and incorporated into floors needing repair. With the help of WASCO, masonry experts, Dave took down and cleaned 30,000 bricks from the east and south walls of the ell and put every single one back in place atop the limestone foundation rebuilt on new footers.

On the day I visited, I was given a tour of the house and property. As we explored the portion of the house Dave and Tomica will occupy first, an elderly yet spry man I'd never met climbed the back staircase to join us. I was taken aback when he announced he'd been born in the house. It was R.T. Ousley, farmer, educator and descendant of Jacob Ousley. He was obviously pleased by the current efforts to preserve his family's architectural heritage. I am grateful he helped get the house into good hands.

The question I had for Dave seemed obvious to me. When are they moving in? They bought the place in 2006 after all. His answer was well thought out and requires the patience of a saint. He explained to me that before they can occupy a portion of the house the following things need to happen over the next 18 months:

- Replace the deteriorated two over two replacement windows with new ones replicating the original nine over six windows.

- Complete the repair / replacement of the roof and floors.

- Complete the septic, plumbing and electrical systems.

After that they can move out of their temporary housing and begin work on the front portion of the house. I think this can be described as nothing short of a labor of love. I will look forward to seeing the final restoration since it will be a rare and beautiful thing.

If you are wondering what the executive director of Knox Heritage is doing running around in Union County, here's your answer:

Knox Heritage began as the preservation advocacy organization for Knoxville and Knox County 35 years ago. During that time we were supportive of other preservation organizations in the region but never had the resources to provide the assistance needed by some communities. That changed last year when we won a three year grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to expand our services to the nine county region. The Partners in the Field program allowed us to hire Ethiel Garlington to provide assistance in the eight counties surrounding Knox County and reconstitute the Nine Counties Preservation Alliance. For more information on how we can assist your community or organization, contact Ethiel at (865) 523-8008 or egarlington@knoxheritage.org.

A Model Mill and A New Standard?

2009-03-08T15:34:50Z

Preservationists often encounter abandoned historic mills these days. The withering of the textile industry in the United States left hundreds of them sitting empty and vulnerable around the country - but especially in the South where the industry was the backbone of many local economies. Some people see them as massive white elephants only valuable for the bricks that form them and the land under them. Others see them as opportunities for mixed-use development that can preserve their often stark, industrial beauty while revitalizing the communities around them.

In Knoxville today we have one example of how to turn around these industrial assets, but we have another mill that is languishing in limbo and imperiled by neglect. One was rescued by a local development firm and the other is in the hands of out of state interests.

]]> Model Mill

Josh Flory reported on one local success story - Cherokee Mills - this week in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Dominion Development Group took on the vacant 170,000 square foot building on Sutherland Avenue last year and successfully converted it into a campus style office complex with such tenant amenities as a cafeteria and fitness facility. The design work by Smee Busby Architects shows a sensitivity that preserves the historic character of the space while making it functional for tenants. The company's owners, Steve Hall and Mark Taylor, even kept the community in mind while planning for the mill's financial success. Meeting and gallery space in the building and an outdoor plaza were included for tenant as well as community events.

Missed Opportunity?

Delta had been slowly vacating the building and relocating to modern digs with easy interstate access for about a year when The Landmark Group out of North Carolina appeared on the scene. Landmark has developed a reputation for redeveloping textile mills over the last 20 years under the leadership of founder DeWayne Anderson. Jim Sari, CEO, played golf with the president of Delta Apparel and was interested in the Knoxville mill. Sari proposed that Delta donate the mill, appraised at just over $2 million, to a non-profit organization in exchange for a charitable deduction equal to the value of the property. The non-profit could then sell the building to a developer. The Landmark Group planned to be that developer and reportedly planned to spend up to $50 million creating a mixed-use development.

Sari approached Knox Heritage about accepting the donation, but the two groups were unable to come to an agreement. Knox Heritage's concerns included an inability to guarantee the preservation of the building and meeting IRS regulations governing bargain sales of real estate for charitable purposes.

In June of 2007 Delta Apparel donated the mill and surrounding land to The Mid-Atlantic Foundation in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It appears as an asset on their tax return for that year, but no value is listed and they do not have a website listing more information. Since that transfer, the mill, a highly visible landmark along I-40 on the east side of downtown, has stood dark and empty. The Landmark Group never purchased it. Last May, Josh Flory reported on plans by The Mid Atlantic Foundation to sell the mill to a new owner proposing an industrial use. Those plans never came to fruition. Now the organziation owes 2 years of back taxes to Knox County and one year to the City of Knoxville totaling over $19,000.

Back in the summer of 2007 there were no plans for the new owners to maintain the sprinkler system and the roof had already developed several leaks. One local developer who toured the place a few months ago reported homeless people appear to have taken up residence in the lower level.

It's time for everyone to step up and insure the future of Standard Knitting Mill. The Mid-Atlantic Foundation must secure the building and make the sprinkler system operational. It is irresponsible to do otherwise. Another loss of a historic building due to neglect and arson can be avoided.

The Foundation should work aggressively with the City of Knoxville, KCDC and the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership to market the site for redevelopment that preserves the building and compliments the renaissance underway in the surrounding historic neighborhoods. The site is adjacent to the new Hall of Fame Drive, close to downtown and highly visible from the interstate. This makes for an attractive location and incentives already exist that can be utilized to spur its redevelopment.

Let's hope Cherokee Mills has set a new standard that other owners and developers will strive to achieve.

Watch a video about mill preservation at Preservation North Carolina's website.

Check out a blog about the rebirth of the Glencoe Mill Village.

Saving Places - Preservation's Progress

2009-02-28T16:07:16Z

Some of the most exciting development happening in the Knoxville region today has its roots in preserving historic buildings, open spaces and communities.

Historic preservation is a blend of history and real estate that sparks intense debate as a community tries to preserve its heritage, define its physical character and chart its future direction. At the root of all preservation issues is a community conversation about what is important and what is worth saving. Sometimes consensus is found easily, but in most cases the answers are not so clear and heated debate will often erupt.

The discussion usually includes politics, real estate, architecture, redevelopment, history, money, conservation, and both urban and rural planning. That makes it the most interesting conversation most communities will ever have about their future and they do it by talking about their past.

My job as the executive director of Knox Heritage is endlessly fascinating because preservation touches so many people, places and issues. In this blog I will share what I find as I explore the region's past and work with the people engaged in deciding its future. Here of some the things you can expect:

]]> Lost Knoxville Found - History and images of historic places we have lost.

A Little Innocent Trespassing - I often go exploring and end up in the most interesting places - both familiar and obscure. I will share photos of the locations and background information.

Reconstruction Zone - The will include updates and photos from Knox Heritage construction sites and others around the region I know about and can access.

Politics of Preservation - This will include issues as they are debated at the local, state and federal level.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - This is the place to discuss successful projects, endangered places and terribly re-muddled historic buildings. It will include as many photos as I can get.

Nuts and Bolts - Information on preservation tools such as historic zoning, downtown design review, easements, tax credits, etc.

Down in the Districts - Topics of interest in the historic neighborhoods and information on developments that impact them.

To get started, here are some links to essential information about preservation in our community:

Knox Heritage

Metropolitan Planning Commission - Historic Preservation

National Trust for Historic Preservation