Oakwood Historic District

In the early years of the town of Hickory, incorporated in 1870, the fashionable locations for residences were near the downtown section and just west along both sides of the Carolina and Northwestern Railroad. It was not until the 1880's that a handful of settlers, primarily merchants, bought sizeable parcels of land in what was then the very northwest fringe of the town and today is the large Oakwood neighborhood.

The next decade witnessed the beginning of significant construction in this sparsely settled-section as Hickory's rapid growth in population, commerce, and industry created the need for more residential sites away from the busy downtown. Many of the older impressive homes on 6th Street and near the south boundary of Oakwood Cemetery were built for some of the town's most prominent families as businessmen, professionals, and many civic leaders led the way in choosing the Oakwood area for their homes.

With the exception of periods during and just after World Wars One and Two, when building activity in Hickory was virtually halted, construction of attractive homes in a variety of styles continued in the Oakwood section until the middle of this century. By then few vacant lots remained. However, Oakwood has continued to gain new residents, including some young families, who have purchased many of the old homes and are maintaining the character of the neighborhood.

Today, Oakwood is one of the two finest and most intact nineteenth and early twentieth century residential neighborhoods in the City. The architecture and social history of the area reflect Hickory's growth from a small trading community to a thriving manufacturing City.

In 1985 the Oakwood Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Guide Map of Historic Oakwood

Structure List (with Principal Structures Shown)

1. Elbert Ivey Memorial Library (1952) -- Brick Veneer

   

2. P. Augustus Setzer House (1927) -- This unusual two story three bay T-shaped granite veneered building was built for P. Augustus Setzer in 1927 on property he acquired in 1911 from the estate of Amos Sigmon. P. Augustus Setzer formed a horse collar company in 1910 and later founded the Setz-Right Hosiery Mill.

   

3. Robert E. Simpson House (1922) -- Often referred to as "Stonehaven", this is a finely scaled and detailed Colonial Revival style home. Still preserved are granite stepping stones and walls and a lamp post inscribed "Ellis Place" that identifies the former owner of the land. R. E. Simpson was assistant to the vice-president of the Southern Railway.
4. Dr. Ralph C. Flowers House (1948) -- Colonial Revival
5. First Baptist Church Parsonage (1950) -- Colonial Revival
6. John F. Miller House (1934) -- Colonial Revival
7. Dr. Henry H. Menzies House (c. 1932) -- Colonial Revival
8. Cecil T. Bost House (1927) -- Tudor Revival
9. Edgar L. Fox House (1937) -- Colonial Revival

   

10. Thomas A. Mott House (c. 1910-1911) -- This is the finest bungalow in the Oakwood area and one of the most intact and exquisitely rendered examples of this architectural style in Hickory. Thomas A. Mott, a retired Marine Corps officer, was an active participant in city government and owner of the Hickory Real Estate and Securities Corporation.
11. Ranch-Type House (c.1970) -- Ranch Style

    

12. Walker Lyerly House (1913) -- This large and imposing brick veneered Colonial Revival style dwelling has a wraparound porch and portecochere. It was designed by the firm Wheeler and Steam and built by J. Summie Propst in 1913. Walker Lyerly, a native of Hickory, was a prominent industrialist and former mayor.
13. George F. Ivey House (c. 1921-1925) -- Brick Veneer
14. Cline-Wilfong House (1912) -- This large weatherboarded three-bay doublepile Colonial Revival dwelling has asymmetrically arranged north and front elevations. Edward Cline, a prominent attorney, served on the State Superior Court bench and was a Hickory mayor. In 1941 the house was sold to H. Bryan Wilfong.
15. Henderson-Blackwelder House (1913-1915) -- Bungalow
16. John S. Setzer House (c. 1891) -- Weatherboard/demolished
17. Duplex (c. 1932) -- 20th Century with Colonial Revival Characteristics
18. Espey D. Sherrill House (1913-1915) -- Bungalow
19. William N. Cox House (1921-1925) -- Square House
20. Rector-Cline House (c. 1908) -- Colonial Revival
21. Michael L. Cline House (1882) -- Weatherboard
22. J. Guy Cline House (c. 1908) -- Colonial Revival
23. Rev. J. C. Moser House (c. 1888) -- Colonial Revival

    

24. Jones W. Shuford House (1907) -- This large and impressive two-story Colonial Revival house has a high hip roof, gabled center dormer with a Palladian window, and a wraparound porch. Jones W. Shuford was prominent in business, civic, and masonic fields. He owned and operated a furniture and undertaking business for many years. He was a Hickory mayor and county commissioner.
25. Dr. George E. Bisanar House (1934) -- Colonial Revival
26. E. Harold Shuford House (c. 1921-1927) -- Dutch Colonial Revival
27. Connolly C. Gamble House (c. 1913-1915) -- Colonial Revival

    

28. Dr. Robert T. Hambrick House (1928) -- Constructed in 1928, this is one of the finest period houses in Hickory. Its collection of rich exterior materials gives this house a unique character. Dr. Robert T. Hambrick was a noted physician and founder and past medical director of the Hickory Memorial Hospital.
29. Nillah M. Edmisten House (c. 1924-1927) -- Square House
30. Ortho E. Sigmon House (c. 1944) -- Colonial Revival
31. Ervin C. Yount House (1944) -- Colonial Revival
32. Livius L. Hatfield House (c. 1922) -- Bungalow
33. Eugene C. Ivey House (1940) -- Colonial Revival
34. Duplex (1938-1941) -- Brick Veneer
35. Edwin H. Umstead House (c. 1915) -- Bungalow
36. George Fuller House (1938) -- Colonial Revival
37. W. Newman Sherrill House (1913-1915) -- Bungalow
38. Whitener-Hammersla House (c. 1890) -- Queen Anne
39. Alfred P. Whitener House (c. 1906)
40. Espey-Nowell House (1911-1915) -- Weatherboard

    

41. J. Summie Propst House (1881-1882) -- This house is the only extant example of the Second Empire style of architecture in Hickory. The outstanding architectural features of the house are the mansard roof, arched windows, and the tower decorated with the peacock or fan details in the corners. J. Summie Propst was a local contractor.

    

42. Abel A. Shuford House (c. 1905) -- This large and well articulated shingle style composition represents the finest extant example of this style in the City of Hickory. Hallmarks of the style are evident in the irregular massing of the gambrel roof and the fully wood shingled exterior. Abel A. Shuford was an early industrialist in the city.
43. Greene-Lutz House (c. 1905) -- Queen Anne Cottage
44. Geitner-George House (c. 1930) -- Tudor Revival
45. Elwood W. Walton House (1923-1925) -- Frame House
46. (second) Charles H. Geitner House (1929) -- Tudor Revival

    

47. (first) Charles H. Geitner House (1900) -- This is a large, asymmetrically composed two story brick and frame structure which was completely remodeled in 1917. When first built the home was one and one-half stories in height with wood shingles. Charles H. Geitner was a leading figure in the industrial, banking, and civic life of Hickory. He owned and operated the Hickory tannery, was co-owner of a firm making horse collars adn was the first president of the Highland Cordage Company.
48. Robert W. Stevenson House (c. 1896) -- This is an asymmetrically massed two-story frame Queen Anne dwelling with a wraparound porch. Beaded weatherboards on the majority of the exterior surfaces are constructed with decorative sunburst designs in the gables. Robert W. Stevenson was associated with a dry goods store which sold shoes and other items

    

49. Oakwood Cemetery (1889) -- Developed in 1889 as an alternative to the Old Robinson Cemetery, Oakwood Cemetery has a gently rolling terrain and a picturesque system of narrow avenues typical of late nineteenth century designs. Designed by F. A. Grace, the cemetery has a vast majority of the City's earliest leaders and historically prominent citizens buried there.

    

50. David L. Russell House (c. 1908, rebuilt 1914) -- This large, turn-of-the century Queen Anne style home was destroyed by fire soon after its completion. Rebuilt to its approximate original shape, this asymmetrically massed house has pedimented wings projecting from each corner of the hip roofed central block. David L. Russell was an attorney.

    

51. Benjamin F. Seagle House (c. 1907) -- This large two-story weatherboarded house was built in 1907 for Benjamin F. Seagle, a realtor. At the time of his death in 1938, he was the last confederate veteran in Hickory. Extant interior examples of this Queen Anne style structure include two classically inspired mantels with Tuscan columns and an open newel staircase.
52. Albert S. Lutz House (1928) -- Spanish Mission Revival
53. Taylor-McMillen House (1923) -- Weatherboard
54. William B. Southerland House (1923) -- Bungalow
55. Harold G. Deal House (c. 1928) -- Bungalow
56. Lula G. Wannemacher House (c. 1916) -- Bungalow
57. Amzi A. Yoder House (c. 1886) -- Modified Bungalow
58. (former) Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Parsonage (c. 1935) -- Colonial Revival
59. Edgar D. Yoder House (1921-1925) -- Bungalow
60. Dr. T. C. Blackburn House (c. 1912) -- L-Shaped Structure
61. Yoder-Dell House (c. 1905) -- Brick Veneer

    

62. John H. P. Cilley House (1912) -- This Colonial Revival style house was built for John H. P. Cilley. Two stories in height and clad in brick veneer, the house has a slightly asymmetrical three-bay front and south elevation. John Cilley founded Cilley Foundry and Machine Company in the 1890's. He was a Hickory mayor and served a number of terms as an alderman.