Acorn manor is in the historical neighborhood known as the Glenwood-Brooklyn District and was developed from 1907 to 1951. It was best known as an early twentieth-century streetcar suburb for the working and middle-class. Glenwood-Brooklyn occupies the blocks along both sides of the segment of Glenwood Avenue between Peace Street and Wade Avenue. The neighborhood marked the beginning of the suburbanization of land north of Raleigh’s city limits, which ended at Johnson Street from 1857-1907.

The Glenwood Land Company incorporated in 1905 and began offering parcels in the area for residential development. Around the same time, the local streetcar system built a new line north from downtown along Glenwood Avenue, bisecting the company’s land. The streetcar (trolley) system ran right in front of this home until automobiles took over in 1933.

1412 Glenwood Avenue was built in 1925 by the Fort Family and was originally a single-family home. The design of the home is Colonial Revival and was the most popular idiom during the period between the world wars. In the district this style is usually expressed by brick construction with contrasting white trim, symmetrical compositions, and classically derived detail.

1412 Glenwood Avenue was converted into four apartments in the 1940s. The original home had two sleeping porches which were enclosed thus creating the sunrooms in units 1A and 2A. The home was meticulously renovated to add modern necessities while keeping the original charm of the property in 2022. While the kitchens and bathrooms were updated and central air and heat added, the carpet was removed revealing the original hardwood floors.

In units 1A and 2A, you may notice the original hearths from the fireplaces (that were removed in the 40s). Your hosts didn’t have the heart to remove the brick or the retro linoleum from the 80s. Unit 2B has the original 1925 bathtub and all units have original windows. All the original 1925 windows are functional but please take extreme care if you must open them.

Most of the electrical outlets are in original locations thus creating the need for several extension cords. Some light switches were added and are not recessed to avoid destroying the original plaster walls.

We hope you enjoy your stay at Acorn Manor, now owned by the Honeycutt Family and that you appreciate the history of this home and the neighborhood as much as they do.

About Acorn Manor