This view from the passenger’s seat, looking at the intersection of Battleground Avenue and Cone Boulevard, makes the intersection seem enormous. The fact that there wasn’t much traffic helped, too. Historically, Battleground Avenue served as the route from downtown Greensboro to the site of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It was first paved by state crews in 1925 (National Park Service history). According to NC.gov, “Cone Boulevard in Greensboro, North Carolina, originated as part of the municipal and industrial roadway network built to serve the textile empire of the Cone family (Proximity Manufacturing Company and Cone Mills) in the northeast and northern sections of the city.” Planning and development for the boulevard took place in 1953 and 1954.

Laddie & Duke’s Family Grille and Pub, located on North Battleground Avenue, closed in August 2008. It seems that construction and retail development along Battleground Avenue began to take off around that time. As we sat at the traffic light at this intersection the other day, we tried to imagine what the route to Guilford Courthouse National Military Park might have looked like in years past. It’s hard to picture the bustling transportation network that once served Cone Mills and the surrounding communities. Yet these roads and the businesses that grew along them remain an important part of our city’s history.

Happy Thursday!