Hippol Castle, home to the secret society known as the Order of the Gimghoul — one of Chapel Hill's legends — is nestled in the woods near UNC's campus.
The meticulously-landscaped, historic houses that line the roads leading up to the castle, however, are often overlooked.
Gimghoul Historic District spans Gimghoul Road and Glandon Drive, with Ridge Lane and Evergreen Lane bisecting the space in between. The Chapel Hill Town Council created the district in 1990, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.
In the spring, bright green trees canopy Gimghoul Road, with roots often spreading into the sidewalks made of a unique form of gravel sometimes referred to as Chapel Hill grit, Chapel Hill gravel or pea gravel. The material is yellow or orange in color and made of coarse, sand-like grains — a unique feature of Chapel Hill’s historic districts.
American Craftsman and Colonial Revival-style homes built in the 1920s and 1930s sit along the roads, varying in size and layout. One similarity the homes share, though, is their manicured yards.
Residents in the historic district have strict limitations on what they are and are not allowed to change about their homes. Homeowners must consider the overall style of the district when making changes, and the restrictions are in place to preserve the neighborhood. Additionally, modern equipment and structures such as satellite dishes, dumpsters, playgrounds and swimming pools must be located in areas out of view from the road, such as side and backyards.
723 Gimghoul Road, especially, has a rich history with landscaping. “The Garden is Open,” a children’s book from 1998 by Pamela Pease, was inspired by a sign in the home’s front yard welcoming passersby to wander through the house’s garden full of tulips.
The home’s previous owners were twin sisters Barbara Stiles and Bernice Wade, who kept the garden blooming every spring for over 70 years.
