I’ll present a couple of additional homes from the tour today and, as a bonus I’ll throw in one of the several beautiful churches in the area. Tomorrow I’ll conclude the series as we head into Christmas week. The homes we’ll talk about today differ from some of the others in their lack of many of the ornate style most commonly associated the era.
The home pictured above is located at 108 East Glenwood and it dates to 1924 as styles were beginning to change. The property was purchased from George Camp who built Greystone mansion which sits just behind it and currently houses WATE television. Built by Albert G. and Caroline Heins, a business and a street in Knoxville still bear his name. Unlike many of the builders of homes in the neighborhood, Albert’s tenure in his residence was a long one, stretching to the 1980s.
As its builder operated a building supply company, the resulting home was built to last and a walk through its rooms reveals many original features including built-in bookshelves beside the fireplace, the hardwood floors, coal insert and glass-paneled doors.
Renovations, including an upstairs master-suite have been lovingly and carefully done, preserving the home’s original character. Unlike many of the other properties on the tour, this one has never fallen into severe disrepair which has allowed it to maintain its original beauty.
The First Lutheran Church has been a part of Knoxville for many generations, but it has only resided at its current location since 1955 when the Gothic style sanctuary was completed. Organized in 1869, the church was originally located at the corner of Western and Broadway and later at the corner of Fifth and Broadway before setting into its current location fifty-eight years ago. The stained glass windows and German-built pipe organ are among its attractive features.
Our second home featured today also does not feature the elaborate details of the Victorian style. Sadly, perhaps because of the pouring rain or our fascination with the South American furniture on the porch, I somehow managed to come away without a full-frontal of the house.
Built in 1915, its architecture is described as “an offshoot of the emerging Arts and Crafts sensibility.” Charles Henry and Flora Paull had the home built and Flora lived there for many years. Original features remaining in the home include the plaster walls, hardwood floors and the “mantel and built-ins” in the living room.
It was the gorgeous wood throughout that we loved the most. From the built-in china cabinet to the beautiful interior doors spread throughout – especially the stained-wood French doors. The original mantel is also lovely and, as you can see from the photograph, we loved the heavy wooden furniture on the porch. The antique metal back-splash in the kitchen also had Urban Woman making plans sure to cost me some money.
You’ll notice the maps and other school-related materials in a couple of the rooms. Like so many homes in the neighborhood, this one is occupied by a lovely young family. I didn’t get to meet the younger ones, but Urban Woman and I were warmly greeted by Brad and Joy and they offered a personal tour through the home. They are readers of Inside of Knoxville and made some very kind comments, which I greatly appreciate.
I’ve said it many times in this space: Buildings are great and I love the older ones, but it’s the people that make a place worth living in. Brad, Joy and the many other families we talked to along the way as we toured the neighborhood are the real reason living in an historic place like this one is a wonderful option for those who want it.