History & Heritage

Westerwood History & Heritage in Greensboro

Westerwood began as a visionary garden suburb in 1919 and has remained a welcoming community thanks to neighbors who preserve our architecture, green spaces, and sense of belonging.

Continue the story by exploring our Westerwood historic homes and connecting with Greensboro preservation resources that safeguard each porch and garden.

1910s–1930s: The neighborhood takes root

Developer Arthur K. Moore platted Westerwood on former farmland west of downtown Greensboro, aligning curving streets with the natural topography and planting elms and oaks that still canopy our sidewalks.

  • 1919 plat establishes Westerwood
    Lots along Courtland Street, Lakeview Street, and Guilford Avenue were marketed as modern homesites with city water, electric lights, and trolley access along West Friendly Avenue.
  • 1920s building boom
    Local craftspeople constructed bungalow, Tudor, and Colonial Revival homes with deep porches, decorative brickwork, and handcrafted millwork.
  • 1930s community amenities
    Lake Daniel Park opened with stone bridges and recreation space, anchoring the greenway that continues to connect Westerwood today.

Notable early households

Educators, textile entrepreneurs, and civic leaders settled in Westerwood, many commuting downtown by streetcar while supporting Greensboro's cultural growth.

Neighborhood lore includes the Flack, Carter, and Cridland families, whose porches hosted musical gatherings that inspired today's porch concerts.

Neighborhood visuals

Scenes from historic Westerwood

Browse images featuring our neighbors, architecture, and parks—each captured to showcase the character of Westerwood in Greensboro.

Westerwood neighbors collaborating on association plans for preservation and events in Greensboro NC

Association leadership

Neighbors meet regularly to coordinate events, preservation advocacy, and welcome teams.

Historic Westerwood bungalow framed by mature oaks on Courtland Street in Greensboro NC

Tree-lined streets

Craftsman and Tudor homes along Courtland Street show off original porch details and rebuilt stone walls.

Neighbors walking the Lake Daniel Park loop trail in Westerwood Neighborhood Greensboro NC

Lake Daniel Park

The greenway trail welcomes joggers, cyclists, and families exploring the park each weekend.

View of the Downtown Greenway connection near Westerwood and Downtown Greensboro NC

Greenway connections

Trailheads connect residents to the Downtown Greenway, Atlantic & Yadkin, and Latham Park loops.

Runners gathering for the Westerwood 5K starting line near Lake Daniel Park in Greensboro NC

Westerwood 5K

Neighbors and visitors lace up each fall to support beautification grants and youth scholarships.

Historic home porch during the Westerwood Art & Sole tour welcoming Greensboro visitors

Art & Sole moments

Open studios and porch concerts fill the neighborhood with art, music, and community storytelling.

Volunteers sharing chili tastings at the annual cook-off raising funds for Westerwood neighbors in Greensboro NC

Chili Cook-off

The winter cook-off brings neighbors together with live music, desserts, and fundraising raffles.

Westerwood Neighborhood Association emblem featuring oak leaf heritage colors for Greensboro NC

Association emblem

Our emblem reflects Westerwood's canopy, Lake Daniel Park, and collaborative spirit.

Tree-lined Westerwood street with historic homes and porch gatherings near Downtown Greensboro NC

Neighborhood streetscape

Century-old oaks shade walkable blocks that connect residents to downtown Greensboro.

1940s–1990s: Resilience and renewal

After World War II, Westerwood welcomed veterans using GI Bill benefits, followed by faculty and students from nearby campuses. Neighbors organized to calm traffic, preserve tree canopy, and support Lake Daniel Park upkeep.

By the 1970s, residents formalized the Westerwood Neighborhood Association to advocate for sidewalks, lighting, and public safety partnerships with the City of Greensboro.

Community milestones

  • 1981 greenway expansion
    Neighbors collaborated with Greensboro Parks & Recreation to extend the Lake Daniel Greenway and add trail lighting.
  • 1994 porch music revival
    A volunteer-led concert sparked a tradition of front porch performances still enjoyed during Art & Sole weekends.
  • 1999 tree canopy initiative
    Through Greensboro Beautiful grants, residents planted over 120 understory trees to restore the original streetscape palette.

2019 centennial celebration

Westerwood marked 100 years with a neighborhood block party, history exhibits curated by Preservation Greensboro, and a centennial tree planting at Lake Daniel Park.

Residents recorded oral histories, mapped original floor plans, and created a time capsule now stored with the association archives.

Preservation partners

  • Preservation Greensboro Inc.
    Provides tours, homeowner education, and historic marker support.
  • City of Greensboro Historic Resources
    Guides design review for projects near adjacent historic districts.
  • North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
    Advises on state and federal tax credits for qualified restorations.
Access preservation resources

Share your Westerwood memories

Do you have photos, letters, or stories from Westerwood's past? Help us build the neighborhood archive for future generations.

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