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RIVERSIDE HISTORIC DISTRICT
Riverside is also on the National Register of Historic Places. It
comprises of National Avenue and the section east of the avenue to the
Neuse River. Development began in the late 1890s in response to the
lumber industry, which flourished along the Neuse River. Riverside was
originally a mixed-use community of residential buildings and commercial
enterprises. People wanted to live where they worked. Regrettably, as
lumber ceased to be economically important, Riverside fell into
disrepair. The result is a neighborhood where beautifully refurbished
homes and rundown buildings stand side-by-side. But fortunately for New
Bernians, both the city and the Preservation Foundation are taking
measures to restore this once-handsome community to its original function
as home to a number of businesses and private residences. Many of
Riverside's larger homes were built between 1896 and World War II, so
there is a pleasant mix of architectural styles in the neighborhood. On
National Avenue, high-peaked, two-story Victorian structures with
wraparound porches and plenty of shade trees are situated well back from
the road. On the cross streets perpendicular to National Avenue and the
Neuse are rows of tidy bungalows. Homes along the River Drive
waterfront are of an entirely different character. Here, you will find
pretty brick ranch dwellings on small lots with plenty of trees and
meticulous landscaping. Real estate values vary widely, with some of the
older bungalows offered in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. Renovated
historic dwellings here start at about $125,000, with ranch-style houses
along the shore selling for a bit more.
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GHENT HISTORIC DISTRICT
This
is the newest of New Bern's three historic districts; admission to the National
Register occurred in 1983. Ghent contains private homes dating from 1913 to
World War II. The area encompasses Spencer, Rhem and parts of Park Avenues. It
began as a trolley car suburb in the days when working folks wanted homes away
from the hustle and bustle of downtown New Bern. Today, Spencer Avenue is
considered one of the prettiest streets in New Bern, with old-fashioned street
lamps along a landscaped median separating two lanes of traffic. Large
flowering fruit trees are breathtakingly beautiful in April. Ghent is an
energetic, people-oriented neighborhood where residents take to the sidewalks
whenever the weather permits, which is often in the mild New Bern climate. In
recent years, it has become a highly desirable section for homeowners and has
undergone a lot of sprucing up. Bungalows and cottage-style homes with neat
lawns make up a large part of the neighborhood. Some residences feature
antebellum column fronts, and many have open or screened porches for those warm
summer evenings. The neighborhood is close to one of the area's nicest
amenities, the new YMCA, which includes a Jr. Olympic-size swimming pool, a
gymnasium, weight rooms and a racquetball court. the "Y" also offers day care
and exercise classes. Ghent is also fortunate to be situated between Fort
Totten Park, which has a baseball field and bleachers, and the larger Lawson
Creek Park, a popular fishing spot with nature trails, boat launches and picnic
tables. Homes are larger here than in many of the new housing developments
surrounding New Bern. Prices range from $65,000 to $120,000.
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DeGRAFFENRIED PARK
This
distinguished neighborhood lies directly north of the Ghent Historical
District. Homes here are generally large and well-placed on spacious,
beautifully landscaped lots. Sidewalks invite neighborhood walks, and streets
carry names such as Queen Ann Lane and Lucerne Way. Many of the more
notable residences are stately, two-story brick dwellings with dignified Federal
features. Brick walls and wrought-iron fences embellish many of the houses in
the district. You can expect to pay between $100,000 to $200,000 for these
homes.
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