House ~ 1936
aka: The Cartwright House
Contributing Building
1936
This one-story, frame, Minimal Traditional-style house is sheathed with asbestos-shingle siding, except the façade beneath window height, which is brick-veneered. The side-gable roof has an eyebrow window with a glass fanlight, an unusual feature in the district. There are two chimneys: an exterior brick chimney on the south end of the house positioned forward of the roof ridge, and a rear brick chimney. Windows are six-over-six sash. On the asymmetrical two-bay façade, concrete steps rise to the off-center door flanked by two windows. Another window is located at the center of the north half of the façade. Above the front door, an unusual and distinctive tall, round-arched hood set on stepped and scrolled brackets emerges from the front slope of the roof. An outbuilding appears to be behind the house, but it could not be seen well enough to be recorded. R. L. Mayberry and his wife may have been the first owners of the house, having purchased the property in July 1936, but the house changed ownership numerous times after that. John Lewis, station manager at Piedmont Aviation, and his wife, Doris, lived here from 1947 to 1955. Walter and Sallie Cartwright were the longest owners, living here from1964 until 1985. Before Walter’s retirement, he and Sallie lived at 1551 Polo Road (no longer standing) where he was the long-time caretaker of Edgar Davis’s Sunnynoll Farm on Reynolda Road at Polo Road. (TR, CD; Kent Strupe email, February 2, 2016)
~ LAWP
block / lot(s)
1874 / 039, 040, and 041
owner ~ purchase date
Lettie Billings ~ no date listed
E H Hunter ~ 5/5/1928
L V Scott, Jr for N C Hines ~ 4/4/1931
*R L Mayberry and w/M P ~ 7/3/1936
Wm J Sands and w/Ethel R ~ 3/11/1940
Josephine S Hayes ~ 6/5/1943 ? or 1942
W A Hunt and w/Margaret R ~ 5/10/1944
Hiram S Cody, Jr ~ 10/15/1945
Cody Realty and Mtge Co ~ 3/28/1946
John W Lewis and w/Doris W ~ 11/8/1947
Hanie N Speas and w/C W ~ 9/29/1955
Catherine Speas ~ 10/11/1955
Wm B Wishon ~ 1/22/1957
E N Richards Inc/Castle Co Inc ~ 9/25/1963
W M Cartwright and w/Sallie S ~ 6/8/1964
Sallie S Cartwright ~ 1975
Kyle G Moore and w/Catherine R ~ 6/13/1985
Kyle Grayson Moore ~ 1/27/1987
Melissa J Pace ~ 5/22/1987
Shanna L Swing & Anthony R Goad ~ 12/22/1992
Anthony R Goad & Shanna L Swing ~ 1/1/1993
Alma Craddock Watson ~ 12/5/1995
Last updated: July 2021
History
This house has changed hands many times over the years. But the most significant owners that relate to the history of Oak Crest so far are Hanie and Catherine Speas who lived her from 1955 - 57 and Walter and Sallie Cartwright from 1964 - 85.
Even though Hanie Speas lived here for a brief time, he is significant because while living here he was visited by his brother, Wray Speas, and his family in 1955. Wray had been living in New York City and was looking to relocate back to his home town. While visiting his brother Hanie, Wray discovered the house next door, 1322 Polo at the corner, that was in the process of being built. So, he purchased the house and moved his wife and daughter here.
This house was also home to Walter and Sallie Cartwright from 1964 - 85 (until each of their deaths). Walter had been the caretaker and tended the land of Sunnynoll Farm. The house at 1551 Polo Rd (no longer standing) was built for him and Sallie by Edgar Davis in 1925 when he built the farm. The Davis' and Cartwright's were all from Yadkin County originally and their families knew one another. Mr Davis hired Mr Cartwright to take care of the farm. After he retired, he and Sallie moved into this house.
We knew the Cartwright’s simply as "Ginpaw" and "Grandma" Cartwright. I remember Ginpaw always wearing overalls and a sun hat. He used to tend a very nice vegetable garden across the street where 119 Harmon is now located. That lot then belonged with 1404 Polo and was owned by Nettie Ledford. She lived in Hayesville with her brother, so Ginpaw looked after the property and maintained the garden. Neighbors did that sort of thing for each other in those days.
Mr Cartwright passed away in the early to mid 1970's and Grandma Cartwright remained in the house, later taking on a housemate, known to us as "Grandma West". (Mrs West was their son, Howard Cartwright's, mother-in-law. Howard and his wife, Edna, then lived at 131 Rosedale Cr, both now deceased.) The two “Grandmas” lived here for as long as they were able. I believe Mrs West passed away first, then later Mrs Cartwright. The house was sold in 1985.
The Speas and Cartwright families are a good illustration of multiple generations of families who have lived in Oak Crest.
Under the mound of ivy in the front yard is a brick wall. This is one of the remnants from when Harmon was a boulevard.
The driveway was originally a ribbon style driveway with grass in the middle. I have always liked that style of driveway, it's very charming.
There was also a single car detached garage behind the house. A tree fell on it a few years ago and it had to be torn down.
I just love these little windows. It really adds character to this charming little house. I can see it from my house. Any time I think about this house, this little eyebrow window always comes to mind. This is the only one of its kind in Oak Crest.
~ KTS