Gatekeepers Cottage Headed to New Owner

The Green Hill Gatekeeper’s Cottage, located on a triangle of land between West Fisher Avenue, Wharton Street, and Battleground Avenue is known for its frilly trim and high-pitched roofline. It makes a distinctive architectural statement to hundreds of daily northbound commuters. The future owner, John Lomax, will close on the property in late October.

One of three important Gothic Revival residences built in Greensboro, the Gatekeeper’s house represents an era of civic improvement in Greensboro during the late nineteenth century. Constructed in the late 1880s in association with Green Hill Cemetery, the Gatekeeper’s cottage was designed in the Gothic style, including decorative vergeboards, a high pitched-roof, and pointed window hoods; all elements that lent themselves to romantic undertones of the nearby cemetery. It remains the last known Victorian-era cemetery gatekeeper’s cottage in North Carolina, and one of the best examples of residential Gothic Revival architecture in the state.

The frame residence was nearly destroyed in 1973 when it was abandoned by the city. Plans circulated around Greensboro that the landmark would be destroyed by city crews, and public efforts earned a reprieve for the site. With interest ramping up to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial, support grew for preserving a part of the Gate City’s early history.

The cottage was restored and converted into office use shortly thereafter. The 1,500 square foot frame building has been owned by Greensboro residents Clyde and Dorothy Collins for over twenty years. The cottage’s new owner will be John Lomax, of Lomax Properties. Plans include preservation of the 120 year old house that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, and recognized as a Guilford County Landmark Property in 1982.