Explore the history of the Ardmore neighborhood

Photo by WStoday

with ~4,300 households, the Ardmore neighborhood is the largest neighborhood in Winston-Salem. It’s located about three miles southwest of downtown and nestled between the city’s two hospitals. Hawthorne Road runs through Ardmore, but its boundaries extend to Stratford Road and Salem, Silas Creek, and Peters Creek Parkways.

Some homes in the neighborhood are more than a century old. Let’s take a stroll through the history.

The beginning

Ardmore’s roots are connected to the Crafton Heights development, which was created as an extension of the West End. Southern Development Company purchased farmland for Crafton Heights in 1910. Its success spurred the purchase of tobacco manufacturer EL Lockett’s neighboring farm in 1912, just one year before the towns of Winston and Salem merged.

Photo via Digital Forsyth

A contest was held to name the new suburb and a judging panel liked HL Neisser’s suggestion of “Ardmore” best. Ardmore is derived from the Irish “Ard Mór” or the Scottish Gaelic "Àird Mhòr”, which means “great height”, a possible nod to the neighborhood’s elevation and terrain.

Keeping up with demand

The first three houses were built on Ardmore Avenue — now Hawthorne Road — in 1914. As the population of the Twin City grew, so did the popularity of the neighborhood. A building blitz continued for decades, incorporating various housing trends like detached car garages. Schools , apartment buildings, and public parks also went up.
The Ardmore Historic District , which encompasses more than 2,200 properties within the larger Ardmore neighborhood, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This district is roughly bounded by Knollwood, Queen, Duke, and Ardsley streets.

Active Ardmore

Today, the neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets and tight-knit community. Residents host popular events like Ardmore Art Walk and Ardmore RAH! and they have their own neighborhood association . According to WStoday readers, the neighborhood also boasts the best coffee shop in the city.

How much do you know about the Ardmore neighborhood and its history? Test your knowledge .