In October 2019, 21 designers came together to transform the historic Dalton-Bell-Cameron house in High Point, North Carolina. Believed to be the first example of the Craftsman style in High Point, the house was restored to its former glory and beyond, with thoughtful and sublime design. 

DESIGNERS

Visit the link to find out which of your favorite Designers participated in the 2019 Junior League of High Point Designers’ Show House.

History

Johnson Street Historic District, the location of the Dalton-Bell-Cameron House, is the first local historic district, designated in 1987.

Sponsors

History

 

1013 Johnson Street – Carter Dalton House

Born in Greensboro in 1884, Carter Dalton had deep roots in High Point, North Carolina. His grandfather was founder of the first Presbyterian Church in 1859, and his father was an early partner in the Snow Lumber Co., one of High Point’s first industries.

Carter Dalton continued his family’s tradition of community involvement as a lawyer, starting practice around 1913. In August of that year, Dalton purchased a lot in the new Johnson Street development and soon after married Mary Drew Land.

The home the Daltons decided to build was quite progressive for High Point in 1914. Other homes built in town at the time were more traditional, with Colonial or Victorian influences.

The Dalton’s home, by contrast, was quite exotic with influences from Asia and Europe. The home featured a base of Mount Airy granite and was covered with naturally stained clapboards and wood shingles. The home’s exposed rather ends and structural brackets demonstrated Japanese architectural traditions. Inside, features included handcrafted tiles around the fireplace and intricate patterned wood floors.

 

In choosing Craftsman architecture for their home, the Daltons were making a bold statement. First and foremost, the honestly and integrity of Craftsman homes said much for the inhabitants. Owners of these homes were often no-nonsense people who preferred to steer away from the frivolities of Victorian architecture. With Craftsman home, a person was stating that they were practical, efficient and honest – all qualities necessary of a lawyer or politician – or furniture maker for that matter.

The Carter Dalton house sat derelict and was threatened with demolition throughout the 1990’s before being purchased by ambitious preservationist Mary Powell Young in 1996. Extensive restorations were completed in 1998, and today the Carter Dalton House once again stands as a jewel of the Johnson Street Historic District.