History of Old North Knoxville
Old North Knoxville, developed as part of the incorporated city of North Knoxville, owes its growth to the expansion of the streetcar, Knoxville’s booming post-Civil War economy, and technological advances that made suburban living desirable. The neighborhood's long, straight streets, originally paralleling the streetcar line, reflect a pedestrian-oriented design, with few driveways or garages built before the 1920s. This walkability fostered a diverse community from its earliest days, with residents relying on streetcars and sidewalks. Carriage houses remain behind some older homes, but most residents depended on the streetcar.
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Several original subdivisions comprise the Old North Knoxville Historic Overlay District. Streets within these subdivisions follow a grid pattern, often parallel to major streets like Broadway or Woodland, where streetcars ran. Old North exemplifies a typical streetcar suburb, designed for walkability, with rectangular blocks, parallel streets, and service alleys, creating interesting angles where streets meet. This layout, while traditional, also allows for creative infill development and diverse housing options as the neighborhood evolves. Incorporated in 1889, North Knoxville quickly gained modern amenities.
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The neighborhood's architecture, ranging from grand homes to more modest worker cottages, reflects the economic and social landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Homes along Oklahoma, Scott, Glenwood, and Armstrong stand in contrast to the smaller homes on parts of Oklahoma and Harvey, a reminder of the diverse residents who called Old North Knoxville home. These smaller homes, some connected to the Brookside Knitting Mill and others drawn by streetcar access, highlight the neighborhood's history as a place for all. Many residents worked for the Southern Railway. Victorian-era shotguns and cottages, interspersed with larger homes, are particularly noteworthy. While some homes are attributed to architects like the Barbers and Getaz, much design credit remains undiscovered. The buildings, often highly ornamented, make a unified statement about Knoxville’s history and architectural development. Old North Knoxville, through the efforts of Old North Knoxville, Inc., stands as a strong, viable residential section, contributing to Knoxville’s progress while embracing its diverse past and looking towards a dynamic, inclusive future.
Sources: Old North Knoxville Historic District Design Guidelines document, provided by the Knoxville Historic Zoning Commission and the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission.
Neighborhood History Blog Posts
Timeline of Neighborhood Notable Events, Awards, Grants, and more
1897
North Knoxville became part of the city of Knoxville when it was annexed in 1897.
1899
Electric lights installed, welcoming North Knoxville to the new, modern century.
December 1978
The City of Knoxville recognizes ONK’s Festival of Lights.The festival is the neighborhood’s first Christmas celebration and has tremendous neighborhood participation.
April 1979
Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander presents ONK with an award for Revitalization of an Architecturally Significant Neighborhood from the East Tennessee Development District.
March 1980
ONK earns a Knoxville Beautification Award. A sign commemorating the award is placed in the vacant lot at the corner of Glenwood and Armstrong Avenues.
September 1981
Billy Born, 510 East Scott Ave., receives a Knoxville Beautification Award in the Restored Private Home category.
Fall 1982
The Tennessee Arts Commission gives ONK an award of merit in recognition of its work “to maintain the architectural and cultural heritage” of the neighborhood.
June 1984
The newsletter announces that Billy Born, 510 E. Scott Ave., has received a historic preservation award from Knoxville Heritage (now Knox Heritage).
June 1988
A newsletter article announces that Dale and Andy Powers, 7601 E. Scott Ave., have received a Knoxville Heritage award.
February 1991
ONK is awarded $2,500 for a Knoxville Bicentennial project: monument entrance signs built by High Oaks Construction Company and placed on several streets in the neighborhood. Four of the six signs can still be seen at Broadway and Central, East Scott Avenue, Grainger Avenue, and beside the fire station on Baxter Avenue. A sign placed at Rose Mortuary was torn down after being hit by a car, and another at Glenwood and Woodland Avenue was removed because of traffic sight obstruction.
February 1991
ONK is awarded $2,500 for a Knoxville Bicentennial project: monument entrance signs built by High Oaks Construction Company and placed on several streets in the neighborhood. Four of the six signs can still be seen at Broadway and Central, East Scott Avenue, Grainger Avenue, and beside the fire station on Baxter Avenue. A sign placed at Rose Mortuary was torn down after being hit by a car, and another at Glenwood and Woodland Avenue was removed because of traffic sight obstruction.
Spring 1991
The newsletter announces two Knoxville Heritage awards: one to ONK for the Victorian Holiday Home Tour calendar and one to Chester Kilgore, 1319 Grainger Ave., for restoration of his home. Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe presented both awards on May 19 at the Blount Mansion. Another article reports that $10,000 has been awarded by the mayor and several city council members for Victorian streetlights.
December 1991
Mayor Ashe and other dignitaries attend a December 7 ceremony to dedicate the new entrance signs and streetlights.
June 1992
The newsletter reports a donation of $4,000 from Two Centuries Celebration and Dwight Vessel, Knox County executive, for the purchase of additional Victorian streetlights.
November 1992
A newsletter article announces a tree grant of $8,000 from Mayor Ashe for neighbors to plant trees in their yards.
November 1994
The newsletter announces that ONK has received two Orchid Awards from the Greater Knoxville Beautification Board: one in the category Notable Neighborhoods and the second in Historic Preservation.
September 1996
ONK receives a state grant for the betterment of the community. Ben and Laura Parham, Scott Avenue, receive an award for renovation/restoration excellence from the city’s Metropolitan Planning Commission.
May 1998
Chester Kilgore and Louis Russell, both of Grainger Avenue, and Marvin and Dodi Payne of Oklahoma Avenue received historic house markers from Knox Heritage (formerly Knoxville Heritage).
November 1999
The newsletter reports that Knox Heritage preservation awards have gone to Jim Croslin of West Glenwood Avenue and Phoebe Day of Grainger Avenue, and that Mayor Ashe has appointed Chester Kilgore to the city’s Preservation Task Force.
July 2001
Knoxville City Council approves a grant of $5,000 for banners and poles to be placed at entrances to the neighborhood. The amount is later increased to $5,700.
November 2001
Knox Heritage gives residential restoration Awards to Betsey Hopper, 1339 E. Grainger Ave.; Johnny Lane, 222 Leonard Place; Charles and Juliet McVay, 1424 Armstrong Ave.; Tomica Miller and David Whaley, 203 W. Glenwood Ave.; Marvin and Dodi Payne, 131 E. Oklahoma Ave; Charley Richmond and Jim Robinson, 229 E. Scott Ave.; and Greg and Rena Webb, 230 E. Oklahoma Ave. Dave Palmer and Chester Kilgore are honored for their commitment to preservation.
September 2003
ONK receives its second excellence award from the Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Commission. (The first was in 1994.)
March 2006
An article in the newsletter says Knox Heritage presented preservation awards to Daniel Schuh, 201 E. Oklahoma Ave., and to Greg Hyde and Deborah Duncan for their new construction at 1335 E. Grainger Ave.
East Tennessee Foundation gives $1,000 in grant money for the park on the 400 block of E. Oklahoma Avenue, and City Council Representative Rob Frost adds $250 in 202 funds.
August 2006
At the Metropolitan Planning Commission banquet, ONK receives a Best of the Best award and Chester Kilgore receives a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also recognized are Ray and Greg Hyde, for new construction on Shephard Place, and Sean and Jennifer Bolen, for their restoration project on E. Scott.
November 2006
The newsletter reports that ONK was awarded the Rohm and Haas Community Partnership Initiative for $30,000 for the Oklahoma Avenue park. David Booker wrote the grant proposal.
Dec 18, 2007
Knox County Commission passes a resolution honoring ONK and declaring December 18 Historic Old North Knoxville Day.
November 2010
The newsletter reports that “Old North Knoxville Historic District” has been added to the brick neighborhood signs.
December 2012
The newsletter says Beth and David Booker were recognized by Adopt-a-Stream and Keep Knoxville Beautiful for organizing First Creek cleanups for 10 years.
November 2014
Amish Country Gazebos of Manheim, Pennsylvania, installs the gazebo in ONK Park. Funding for the gazebo came in part from Knoxville City Council members and Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale, who provided 202 funds, and a challenge grant awarded by the city Parks and Recreation Department.
June 2015
The newsletter reports a $600 grant from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to purchase tools for First Creek Greenway cleanups. Elder’s Ace Hardware provided a 10 percent discount for the purchase of the tools.
February 2017
The Knoxville Office of Neighborhoods provides a $3,000 matching grant to fund the purchase of new historic “Streetcar Suburbs” street signs. City Council members Marshall Stair, Mark Campen, Nick della Volpe, and George Wallace donated Community Improvement Funds to the project.
August 2019
The newsletter reports on the unveiling of First Creek pedestrian bridge signs memorializing longtime neighbor and former board president Chester Kilgore, who passed away in December 2017.
September 2019
At the ice cream social Lauren Rider, former ONK president and current 4th District City Council representative, reads a proclamation congratulating ONK for its achievements and declaring the day Old North Knoxville Day.
October 2021
East Tennessee Community Design Center develops a detailed plan for expansion of the newly revived First Creek Park. (Funding is currently being sought to carry out the expansion.)
March 2023
The Old North Knoxville Park is rededicated in memory of longtime neighbor and board member Beth Ann Booker, who passed away in January 2022.
Jan 16, 1889
Initially established as the town of North Knoxville in 1889, as a “streetcar suburb” of Knoxville. It boasted modern conveniences that rivaled Knoxville’s amenities: water lines, newly paved streets, a fire station and city hall, and even a school. Instead of driveways and garages, most homes in the neighborhood had wide sidewalks, built so residents could walk to the streetcar and commute to jobs and markets downtown.