Historic Old North Knoxville

View of Glenwood Avenue

Old North Knoxville, Inc. (ONK) was established to preserve, promote and protect the neighborhood, which is a residential and business district built from the 1880's to the 1940's. It includes the triangle formed by Central Street, Broadway, and Woodland Avenue, as well as the area east of Broadway bounded by Cecil Avenue, Sixth Avenue, Glenwood Avenue and Broadway. See Map

The houses are of various sizes and styles that reflect the economic conditions of the times.

Our neighborhood reflects a diversity of architectural styles from shotguns to mansions. The homes range in size from less than 1,000 square feet up to 9,000 square feet. Most of the homes are owner-occupied and rental units, although there are abandoned and condemned houses. Since 1992, when the neighborhood was made an historic district, many residents have been restoring and renovating their homes. We have also experienced an increase in home sales and property values since the historic overlay was enacted. Sales price per square foot has increased 157% since 1990. ("The Economic Benefits of Historic Designation," published August 1996 by Knoxville/Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission).

Our mission statement calls for us to preserve and protect old homes within the neighborhood. Endangered homes, such as these, are typical situations that the neighborhood association monitors carefully. The top right house was finally demolished around 2002 when it was deemed unsalvageable. The bottom right house was restored by Knox Heritage in 2004. To see what it looks like today, move your mouse over the image.

Commercial encroachment at the corner of Kenyon and Woodland Avenue

Woodland Avenue is an area that that ONK is especially concerned about preserving. In recent years, commercial development has slowly encroached into the neighborhood, resulting in demolition of sound residential housing that formerly formed part of the northern border of Historic Old North Knoxville.

This house was formerly a burned-out, neglected rental property one step away from demolition. Now, immaculately restored, this home is owner-occupied. This turnaround was due to the efforts of Knox Heritage, which used this house as a pilot project in a demonstration of the economic feasibility (and desirability) of historic restoration.

240 Oklahoma Avenue

summertime black oak

The Knox County Co-Champion Black Oak, estimated to be 150+ years old.

And finally, one cannot help but notice the trees in Historic Old North Knoxville, which are preserved with reverence by its residents. Giant oaks, maples and magnolias, many dating from before the turn of the century, line the sidewalks and shade the yards of most houses in the neighborhood.

Membership

If you would like to become a member of Old North Knoxville, submit annual dues of $10 for individuals, $15 for households, or $25 for businesses to: P.O. 3896, Knoxville, Tennessee 37927.

President: James Pierce
First Vice President: Sean Bolen
Second Vice President: Andy Anderson
Secretary: Cathy Shuck
Interim Treasurer: James Pierce

ONK is managed by a Board of Directors. Our Board is elected annually by the general membership.

Committees

To focus on neighborhood issues, the ONK board has established functioning committees including:

Our committees are open to any member of ONK. If you would like to serve on a committee, please contact Penny Baxter, President of ONK, at 544-0189, or by .