Urban Archeology: Garages and Workspaces in Virginia and the Carolinas

[Mavawreck]

I'm glad to see this thread still going! I actually took my wife to get coffee last weekend at Cocoa Cinnamon in Durham and thought to myself that you would probably enjoy visiting the area.

Coffee shop is in an old service station

Older picture of beer garden across the street, now has some impressive urban landscaping

A hundred yards up the street, my dad used to buy Model A parts somewhere around here in the 60s

About two blocks over

One more late addition:
The liberty warehouse, currently being deconstructed into condos. Some of the original parts and pieces are for sale at the Durham Reuse Warehouse

Loading dock buildings still intact and for sale

Let me know if you are ever driving through Durham! I'd be glad to show you around town, Hillsborough and Saxapahaw have some neat buildings as well.

 

[phartman]

A hundred yards up the street, my dad used to buy Model A parts somewhere around here in the 60s

Pat Day Company used to be located in Durham, and they sold early Ford parts. That was 40 years ago, or so. My buddy bought a NOS transmission still in the wooden box for his '50 Shoebox.

Thank you for your kind invitation. I will PM you about my next trip to the area.

Pete

 

[CRXPilot]

I couldn't find the Kids Klub sign anywhere- it must be long gone- but I asked a gentleman serving as host, "Is their a special sign or mural maybe here in the restaurant? A buddy of mine told me about it, and said I needed to take a picture of it next visit through."

Thank you so much for taking the time to look! I ate there with my family many times on trips between Raleigh and the coast. Have a great weekend sir!

 

[Mainfish]

phartman, I can't find your second old thread. About masonry or so. Point please if you can. By the way, I was first who put "five stars" to both these your threads.

 

[Mavawreck]

Pat Day Company used to be located in Durham, and they sold early Ford parts. That was 40 years ago, or so. My buddy bought a NOS transmission still in the wooden box for his '50 Shoebox.

Thank you for your kind invitation. I will PM you about my next trip to the area.

Pete

Absolutely! Reading back a few page, I saw Coco Cinnamon and Geer street had already been mentioned but it would be awesome to meet up. Went to a Sea Skiff meet in Wilmington at Cape Fear Com College a few years ago as well.

 

[phartman]

phartman, I can't find your second old thread. About masonry or so. Point please if you can. By the way, I was first who put "five stars" to both these your threads.

Here you go:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=212400

Haven't posted to that thread in quite a while. It just got to be too much. But if I run across something really interesting, I will gear it back up.

Thanks for your kind feedback, glad you have enjoyed my posts.

 

[phartman]

More Winston-Salem, NC. The downtown where Reynolds had tobacco warehouses and manufacturing is undergoing a profound change. Redevelopment everywhere you look in former work spaces:

This building had a coffee shop in it back a while ago, but looks empty now.
It is right next door to a huge condo development, so I am sure there are plans for someone to take it over.



Here is the condo development. Massive in its scale.











Lots of other interesting spaces in the adjacent neighborhood. Downtown is full of buildings that would make terrific garages:





Repurposed firehouse, now a law office:



Ghost signs are everywhere:



Kindred spirits:

 

[LS6 Tommy]

More Winston-Salem, NC.

Repurposed firehouse, now a law office:

If that was Boston, I'd ask if you knocked on the door to say hello to Spenser...

Tommy

 

[phartman]

In Greensboro, this coop shop opened not too long ago. A dandy idea I haven't seen anywhere else.









In the same block:

 

[billspit]

I have done a couple of projects downtown Winston Salem and saw all of the buildings phartman shows. In fact, on the first photo, if you turn around that is the property I worked on. It was an old rail depot and yard (now gone). The building you showed was still the coffee shop when I was there. It is amazing how the tobacco company is gone.

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

I wonder how they insure a place like that?
Looks like liability insurance would cost a fortune...

In Monroe they have a Senior Center with a nice wood shop, the only
problem with it is the old fart that runs it won't let anyone use the
equipment, he'll only let you watch him do it, but most of the time
he's too busy to do anything "right now", you're welcome to get on
the list...

They have a Makers Space in Charlotte that I've visited a couple
time, it just about all 20 somethings and it's like a really close knit
club, if you're not a member they don't even acknowledge you're
existence. I felt really out of place, I was old enough to be most of
their grandfather...

cheers

 

[LS6 Tommy]

We lost a piece of history this week in NJ. The Paterson Armory burned.

Tommy

 

[phartman]

What a storied and colorful place. What a shame.

http://www.nj.com/passaic-county/in...paterson_armorys_colorful_120-year_histo.html

 

[BearsFan315]

In regards to the Forge above, those Makerspaces are popping all over the place !! Most require a Membership and training before you can USE the equipment. They are growing fast !

we have one locally here in Norfolk. they host an open build night first friday of each month. They have wood shop, metal shop, 3d printing, etc... slowly growing and expanding.

 

[phartman]

One of those unlikely stops along the road. I was looking for the entrance to another property, and stumbled across Melvin's shop. What a treat. It was a sunny afternoon and the door was propped open, he was at his office desk, holding court.

Stop by and say hello.

The '61 Ragtop has a 390 in in, and the shop truck for Salisbury Tractor has a stuck flathead. Melvin was quite certain he could get it running again. He's been working on Fords since his teens.

 

[phartman]

Check out this website...very cool. Kindred spirit, "Abandoned in Virginia."

https://abandonedinvirginia.wordpress.com/

 

[gjz30075]

Beautiful!......but sad. I want them all saved

 

[billspit]

Check out this website...very cool. Kindred spirit, "Abandoned in Virginia."

https://abandonedinvirginia.wordpress.com/

Thanks. That is an incredible web site

 

[phartman]

Abandoned in Virginia has a Facebook page, too.

https://www.facebook.com/AbandonedinVirginia

 

[phartman]

The only reason I found Melvin Pepper's shop was searching for this place. The shop is clearly visible from I-85 in either direction when passing through Salisbury, NC, and I have admired it for years. Never could find my way how to get onto the property. But after two failed attempts, the third time was the charm.

What a handsome building. In my dreams I would hope to someday own a property like this. Terrific, just terrific.










Was for sale? Currently is for sale? Here is the listing off the 'net, $1.5mm asking price:

http://www.propertyline.com/listing/emarket_report/415139

 

[billspit]

The only reason I found Melvin Pepper's shop was searching for this place. The shop is clearly visible from I-85 in either direction when passing through Salisbury, NC, and I have admired it for years. Never could find my way how to get onto the property. But after two failed attempts, the third time was the charm.

What a handsome building. In my dreams I would hope to someday own a property like this. Terrific, just terrific.










Was for sale? Currently is for sale? Here is the listing off the 'net, $1.5mm asking price:

http://www.propertyline.com/listing/emarket_report/415139

I have seen that building many times and thought the exact same thing. I can't swing the asking price though.

 

[phartman]

A couple weeks ago, I was in Savannah, GA staying overnight at the Hampton Inn downtown. While the historic distric offers all manner of restored buildings, I had the itch to find something more industrial. I found it in the block or two surrounding the hotel.

The new, modernist bus and transportation depot in downtown Savanna. The city is looking really good. Right in this little block in view of the river bridge, there are a ton of projects going on. SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and its artists have done a fantastic job of influencing the look of the city.

Don't know SCAD? Here you go:

Hipster hotel across the street. Very popular place to stay.



Around the corner, the new Art Museum. It is a combination of new construction, and repurposing of an old warehouse. All proof that modern design doesn't have to be weird or strange, and can sit very comfortably beside historic properties.

More here about the museum and its design:

 

[billspit]

I'm guessing you were near the railroad museum as well. I've been wanting to go for a while, just haven't made it.

Parts of Savannah are beautiful, but a get a couple streets over and its can be dangerous.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Still one of my favorite threads on here. Thanks for sharing!

 

[phartman]

Meherrin, VA is the home of country entertainer Roy Clark, and a stop on the road from Richmond to South Boston, VA on Route 360. Once named Moore's Ordinary, the name was changed when the railroad built a depot there. The name refers to a local Indian tribe and a river nearby.

Once they bypassed the town with the expanded 4-lane, well, you know the story. A sweet little place....

Former general store in the heart of town:



The garage/repair facility next door:


This bodyshop is still in business:


And it had something on the other side I had not seen in a while: an outdoor lift. These were common at one time, but I haven't spotted one forever:


Out on the 4-lane, the economy hasn't been kind to some other garages that were thriving at one time:

 

[phartman]

More along Route 360 in Southside Virginia. Meherrin, VA. Good example of how the fascade of a building changes over time. The pediment and columns indicate a Greek Revival influence, but it got a makeover at some point with the awnings and jalousie front windows. Nothing like a little mixing of elements to create an identity crisis, but the result is funky, funky. Love it. Country boy as architect. Who doesn't love that? Some sort of commercial building, but I couldn't determine what it was.

The sunlight was begging for me to take a picture, and it was an easy stop.


Once a truckstop, now an antique store. The wing to the left was a garage, and full of old auto parts at one time. Very modernist style and design, and most of the complext is still there. 360 was a major route at one time, and a favorite of the bootleggers to haul 'shine to Richmond.






Former dealership in downtown Burkeville, VA? Looks like it. Overhead doors in the rear.
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[LS6 Tommy]

I always enjoy the pictures of the wonderful places you visit! Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving, Phartman!

Tommy

 

[phartman]

Thank you, Tommy, and happy Thanksgiving to you all, too.

Big son and I just got through making the stuffing (cornbread, smoke sausage and country ham), and the bird will go in around 10am. We'll be serving around 1:30pm. Our son the chef is making Oysters Rockafella for appetizers, and Rebecca made chocolate pecan pie for dessert. Stop on by, we've got plenty for everybody!

No out taking pics today. I'll need naptime, for sure.

Best of the holiday to all you kindred spirits.

 

[phartman]

More from along old Route 360, this leg from Halifax, VA over to Danville. A terrific old road. Can't believe I've never traveled it.

Deco stye theater in downtown Halifax:


Deserted machine shop.








Ingram, VA is a beautiful spot, all this there, the way it used to be....




Storage garage next to Ingram's store:

 

[phartman]

More old Route 360 on the back way to Danville.







Once a repair shop, then a church, now nothing.




Tobacco barn converted to a store? Dunno.


Yet one more example of store/shop along the road, and owner's residence in the rear.


General store with garage/repair facility attached.


Modernist drive-in restaurant, deserted and closed probably for good.


Places like these two were the center of the community at one time. Store/garage/post office worked magic for a place, and established it. A bank was huge, and was an indicator that the location was thriving, and the fire department/rescue squad really helped, too. A restuarant was an important presence as well.

But if you had a store, then likely there was hope that a garage and post office might soon follow. Those three were the heart and soul of commerce, and social life. Two out of three was no good, and if any of the three closed, it signaled the beginning of the decline.

Now in the country, they are all pretty much gone. Every once in a while you find a store. And if the store sells food, sells gasoline, and has a place to sit down inside for a while, it might survive. But the odds are against it. And the country repair shop/garage is another one with the deck stacked against it.

 

[BuickFarmer]

Some great shots Phartman! Especially those of the old false fronts, you know my love for them! The block chimney on that old general store got my mind to clicking........ Some good thought provoking dialogue too. Thanks much!

 

[phartman]

Funny you mention those false front garages. I've been eyeing and figuring on one myself. They have such a great look. And thank you for your kind remarks, more pics to come.

Pete

 

[WarrenJ]

Pete
After reading updates, I finally started from the first post. Made it through 12 pages yesterday. Great reading. Saw a couple of examples on a slow road in DE yesterday. Rain to much to take a phone photo-maybe next trip that way.

 

[phartman]

Warren, I can do nothing but encourage you. There is so much to see and analyze if we just slow down, and open our eyes to what is there, silently waiting to be discovered.

Pete

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Phartman, I clicked on one of your most recent photos and it took me to your photobucket page. I see you were at The Race of Gentlemen this year. We wanted to go, but our condo was rented out for the weekend. I REALLY want to go next year!

Tommy

 

[CRXPilot]

Loving this old lamppost. Thanks for your updates!

 

[WarrenJ]

Pete
Finished-will keep checking in.

 

[Firebird 1]

I love these photos, we travelled to FLA frequently when I was a kid, in the very early 70's, There were a lot of spots that the interstate was still under construction in the south and traffic was diverted to these small towns. Brings back many memories. Do you remember the Horns restaurant chain? They had a unique a frame building with a yellow roof I believe. That was pops choice for breakfast and lunch when travelling. Also, thunderbird is a motel chain in the south, I have never stayed at one or wanted to!

 

[phartman]

More SC Low Country and Midlands along old US Route. It was the main road between Savannah and Columbia "back in the day" before I-95 and 20 took the place. It is not a commercial route anymore, and like so many other places, commerce has moved elsewhere.

Mile after mile I saw deserted homes- nice homes- that were empty. The population has moved on as jobs demand a migration away. The old character of the region is disappearing. I wonder what the future brings for what had been the solid middle class and working class of our country.

Old car dealership, then boat dealership, now just storage:





Nice sign work from a painter:




Juke joint:






Deserted truck stop:


Two deserted garages, one in the background. This proud old man in the foreground was a handsome fellow in his day.


Love how this metal building flares at the foundation. I've never seen this design before. Looked like an old warehouse that is currently used as a garage:

 

[phartman]

Pete
Finished-will keep checking in.

You are the Ironman! Thanks for taking the time.