Up and Coming Neighborhoods

We're fans of the This Old House. Their Web site recently featured "Best Places to Buy an Old House 2009," a really interesting tour of nearly every state, house prices there and why certain neighborhoods were up-and-coming, as in "why you should buy there now."

Here's what they had to say about a neighborhood in Montgomery, Alabama... read it with the thought, "this could happen here in Abilene!" Also note that the neighborhood was recently designated a historic district. We've got lots of great housing stock, all we need is more investment in housing close to the heart of the city. APL firmly believes it will be happening!

Capitol Heights, Montgomery, Alabama

In 1916 the Montgomery Advertiser called this new neighborhood, built on an old cotton plantation, "an ideal residential suburban section." And Capitol Heights has retained pretty much the same feel since. East of downtown Montgomery, it's a beautiful old streetcar suburb that's gaining favor among lawyers, teachers, architects, and maintenance workers who like the diverse, tight-knit community—and that it's five blocks from their jobs in downtown Montgomery.

The Houses:
The houses are extraordinary Deep South versions of the California-style Craftsman, with long, low-pitched eaves and roomy front porches. Some have upstairs sleeping porches that capture the cool night breezes. Many were built in the early to mid-1900s using concrete blocks made on-site. Home values range from $75,000 to $200,000.

Why Buy Now?
Capitol Heights was recently designated a historic district. Many residents believe the designation will help protect the neighborhood’s architectural integrity and boost property values. A neighborhood group is drawing potential buyers by sponsoring yearly home tours, during which the work of local artists is displayed and for sale.
Photo by Carole King
Here's the link to the whole article

The Swenson Gardens Allee being built

These guys were working all day today, preparing the way for the new South Lawn promenade from North 17th Street. Abilene High Senior Matt McLeod and about a dozen friends prepared the ground, laid the surface of decomposed granite and planted 10 white crepe myrtles. It's making the grounds of the Swenson House look even better! Thanks, Matt, it was a great example of your organizational ability, and a great Eagle project!

Swenson House Benefits from Eagle Projects

It's well known that being an Eagle Scout yields benefits for the rest of a young man's life... it is a proven resume item. It shows you have persevered and accomplished something ambitious, involving planning and organization skills. The Swenson House has benefited and continues to do so from some great Eagle Scout projects.

Thursday June 11 Matt McLeod will be laying the groundwork for his project, which is to create a allee, a French word that means a promenade, a walkway that is lined with trees or shrubs. This is going to run from the south end of the planned Grape Arbor to the sidewalk near North 17th Street. It will have a surface of decomposed granite and will be lined with white crepe myrtles. It's all part of the Preservation League's plan to further develop the south lawn of the Swenson House as an extended venue for events that can be held there at the Swenson House.

Two years ago Hudson Beard, another Scout who is now an Eagle, restored the original fish pond on the south lawn. The pond, about 20 inches deep, had been dried up for years. Bill Minter, executive director of the APL, estimated that it had not held water successfully since the 1940s, because the tin liner developed rust and cracks. Hudson planned and designed the project to include donated plants, a new pond liner and landscaping around the pond. Recently landscape lighting was added.

Shawn Butler is the third Scout to bring his energy and Eagle project helpers to improve the Swenson House grounds. Shawn plans to construct a pergola, an arbor-type wooden structure, near the southeast corner of the lot at North 17th and Swenson, and install some natural limestone benches near the pergola and fountain that are made out of rock gathered at the famous Swenson Ranches near Stamford.

Join us in congratulating these young men and thanking them for enhancing the historic Swenson House and contributing to its preservation.