Historic Neighborhoods
Parkridge
The historic Parkridge neighborhood is quickly becoming popular among buyers of historic homes. Beginning in the late 19th century, this neighborhood evolved as a street car suburb of Knoxville. Initially developed by the Edgewood Land & Improvement Company, historic Parkridge features an impressive collection of Victorian homes designed by George F. Barber, a neighborhood resident and architect of national notoriety for mail order house plans. This early development was concentrated in the lower blocks of Washington and Jefferson Avenues. Homes built around the original development include an abundance of cottages, many in the popular Craftsman style. Amenities in the neighborhood include a Y.M.C.A., Caswell Park, and a neighborhood shopping area with great potential.
From downtown, east on Magnolia Avenue, left on Winona Street, travel through park, arrive at the intersection of Winona Street and Washington Avenue. Right on Washington Avenue to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Old North Knoxville
Old North Knoxville includes many of the most prestigious and elaborately styled Knoxville homes of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Many of these homes line the grand avenues of E. Scott, W. Glenwood, and Armstrong. Clustered around these stately homes, a variety of size is represented among homes. Lovely examples of Queen Anne, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Neoclassical style can be found in the neighborhood. A number of these homes were designed by George Barber, a local architect of national notoriety for mail order house plans, and Joseph Bauman, also a local architect.
Visit Happyholler. Vegorama, a vegetarian restaurant, and Time Warp Tea Room are among the shops in this section of Downtown North near Old North Knoxville at Central Street and Anderson avenues. Toward downtown on Central Street in Downtown North are Magpie Bakery and Glowing Body Yoga Studio with an excellent cafe. Other shops within walking distance of the neighborhood, including a well known bicycle shop, are clustered around the intersection of W. Glenwood Avenue and Broadway.
From downtown, north on Broadway, left on W. Glenwood Avenue, arrive at the intersection of W. Glenwood and E. Scott Avenues. Left on E. Scott Avenue to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Fourth & Gill
This well known historic neighborhood began in the late nineteenth century and includes a collection of subdivisions that developed with access to street car lines. Grand examples of Victorian style line the streets, especially along the central blocks of Eleanor and Luttrell Streets. Also, remarkable examples of Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Neoclassical style can be found in the neighborhood. Homes designed by George Barber, a local architect of national notoriety for mail order house plans, and Joseph Bauman, also a local architect, are among the lovely homes in Fourth & Gill.
Shops and restaurants in Old City are within walking distance of the neighborhood. Also, an eclectic collection of used furniture, antique, and various well known and locally owned home improvement related shops are near Fourth & Gill along Central Avenue and Broadway. Gypsy Hands is also in this section. Everything Mushrooms is nearby.
From downtown, north on Broadway, right on Gill Avenue, arrive at the intersection of Gill Avenue and Eleanor Street. Left on Eleanor Street to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Sequoyah Hills
Development of the neighborhood presently considered to be Sequoyah Hills began in the middle of the 1920 decade. Obelisks, fountains, and the gated park, known as Papoose Park, are among the elements within the neighborhood that remain from an elaborate development known as Talahi. Talahi was developed by real estate entrepreneur Robert Foust on land he purchased in 1926. Sequoyah Hills contains some large and most impressive and elaborate examples of historic house styles. Tudor, Colonial Revival, and Spanish Eclectic styles are common in the neighborhood. Some examples of earlier styles are found along Kingston Pike in the vicinity of the neighborhood.
Seqouyah Hills is convenient to the well evolved Bearden shopping district.
From downtown, west on Kingston Pike. Left on Cherokee Boulevard to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Mechanicsville
Mechanicsville developed within a concentration of important Knoxville factories during the late nineteenth century. Among these factories were Knoxville Iron Company and Knoxville Brewing Company. In addition to a fine collection of Victorian style and later Eclectic style homes, Mechanicsville holds examples of the earlier Gothic Revival and Italianate styles. In general, the homes in the neighborhood range from large elaborate examples of style to tiny more vernacular “shotgun” homes. Among neighborhood landmarks are a building known as the “wedge” along Deaderick Avenue and the Moses School building.
From downtown, west on Western Avenue, right on College Street. Right on Deaderick Avenue to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Chilhowee Park
Development of the Chilhowee Park neighborhood began around the newly developed Chilhowee Park during the late nineteenth century. Styles in the neighborhood range from Victorian to the later Eclectic styles, including some striking examples of Craftsman and Colonial Revival style.
From downtown, east on Magnolia Avenue, right on Beaman Street. Left on Woodbine Avenue to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Lindbergh Forest
Lindbergh Forest was developed in the late 1920 decade by Victor McLean on property purchased from S.B. Luttrell. The neighborhood features attractive examples of Tudor style. Stone and brick were heavily incorporated into the construction of houses which, with curvilinear streets, lends to the quaint primitive feeling of the neighborhood.
From downtown, south on Chapman Highway. Left on Druid Drive to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
North Hills
North Hills was developed in the late 1920 decade by Hugh, Carl, and George Fielden. North Hills Boulevard, the main street of the neighborhood, features the grand center median that is common in contemporary neighborhoods. Styles in the neighborhood include Tudor, Spanish Eclectic, and Colonial Revival.
From downtown, north on Broadway, right on Washington Pike. Right on North Hills Boulevard to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Fairmont/Emoriland
Fairmont Emoriland was subdivided by the owner, Charles Emory, Sr., of the farm that was located on land that is now the neighborhood. Lots were sold during the middle of the 1920 decade. The neighborhood features the grand wide boulevards of Fairmont and Emoriland. Also, Emoriland Avenue contains an impressive center median, a feature that is common in contemporary neighborhoods. Styles in the neighborhood include Tudor, Spanish Eclectic, and Colonial Revival.
From downtown, north on Broadway. Right on Fairmont Boulevard to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Island Home
The neighborhood of Island Home was developed on the former grounds of the second home of Perez Dickenson, a prominent Knoxvillian. The neighborhood is named for this home. The land was owned by Dickenson until 1899 when it was purchased by the Island Home Park Company. Homes were not built in the neighborhood until around 1910. Interestingly, the center median, a common feature in contemporary neighborhoods, of Island Home Boulevard was the location of the street car lines that historically served the neighborhood. Styles in the neighborhood include Tudor, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman. The homes in Island Home are, in many cases, especially elaborate examples of style.
From downown, south on Chapman Highway, left on Sevier Avenue. Follow Sevier Avenue to the entrance of Island Home to begin a tour of homes in the neighborhood.
Holston Hills
The historic Holston Hills neighborhood was developed around the prestigious Holston Hills Golf and Country Club. Drive along the earlier 20th century section of the neighborhood on Crestwood Drive and enjoy Tudor and Colonial Revival style houses. Houses of the same time and early character and later vintage modern variety can be found along other neighborhood streets; including Green Valley Drive, Shady Dell Trail, and Sunset Road.
From downtown, east on Magnolia Avenue, continue on Asheville Highway, right on S. Chilhowee Drive.
Downtown
The central business district has nicely evolved to accommodate an impressive variety in condominiums among a fine array of shops, especially around Gay Street and Market Square, during the last decade. Styles range from traditional to contemporary in new and historic buildings.
Oakwood/Lincoln Park
Oakwood and Lincoln Park developed north of town around the turn of the twentieth century. Lincoln Park developed around mineral springs during the late nineteenth century. Oakwood was developed during the early twentieth century by real estate developer, C.B. Atkin. Among Atkin's many holdings was the Knoxville Furniture Company, adjacent to and along the rail line at the edge of the neighborhood. Lincoln Park offers Queen Anne and Craftsman style homes. Chickamuaga Avenue is lined with elaborate examples of the styles in the neighborhood. Oakwood features smaller examples of the styles. Travel Springdale, Quincy, and Caldwell avenues and appreciate the regular grid pattern in the Oakwood section of the neighborhood. Later styles, including Tudor and Colonial Revival, can be found in the later developing areas surrounding the the earlier areas of the neighborhoods.
