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Körner’s Folly
413 South Main Street, Kernersville
One hundred twenty (126) years ago, a dapper young gentleman — interior designer, decorator, painter — broke ground on what he intended to be a showplace and a (very) temporary home. Soon to become famous as a painter of Bull Durham bulls across the South, Jule Gilmer Körner in 1878 headed a growing interior design business. He set out to create a combination bachelor’s quarters, artist’s studio, office, billiard and ballroom, carriage house and stables.
The resulting design reportedly caused a cousin, strolling by one day as the structure rose into the sky, to comment, "That will surely be Jule Körner’s folly."
Jule so enjoyed the concept that he quickly dubbed the building "Körner’s Folly," even setting the name in tile outside the front door. And thus it has been known to this day.
Körner never went through with his plans to build another home on nearby property. When the Folly was "finished" in 1880, he instead continued to carry out on-going renovations and revisions to the home he loved.
The home, today held by a non-profit foundation, and open to the public for tours and special events, has intrigued neighbors and visitors for over a century.
The eccentric structure offers 22 rooms spread out over three floors and seven levels, with ceiling heights ranging from six feet to 25 feet. It was a work-in-progress from the beginning: when Jule married Polly Alice Masten in 1886, portions were enclosed and the stables moved across the street; a top-level room was significantly converted in 1897; Körner died in 1924, feeling that the "work" was still incomplete.
However incomplete, the Folly defies simple description. It is said that no two doorways are exactly alike. It has 15 fireplaces of differing designs of American Encaustic Tiles. Its cubbyholes and trap doors fascinate; its pivoting "windows" and other openings anchor a unique air distribution system. Its murals and artworks add a sense of fancy. Children-sized rooms give way to an airy, elegant, high-ceilinged Reception Room. A former stable becomes a library and a sewing room.
Körner’s Folly is a home chock-full of contrasts and comparisons. It has welcoming public spaces, and hidden nooks and crannies. It is complete with a room fireproof by 1890's standards and another, soaring attic space that became the nation's first known private little theater after first being Jule’s studio.
Superlatives fail; from tile to woodwork, brick to decorative murals by German master Caesar Milch, the Folly is truly like no other home in the world. And it is one whose charms and enchantments deserve to be shared by generations yet to come.
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Kernersville Depot
104 East Bodenhamer Street, Kernersville 
In 1873, the citizens of Kernersville built four miles of railroad track for the Northwestern North Carolina Railroad to complete the connection between Greensboro and Winston-Salem. They also constructed a depot that is the second oldest depot in western North Carolina. The depot is a plain one-story mortis and tenon building that is sheathed in board and batten siding. The simple interior consists of an office and waiting room area separated by only a partition wall and window, with a fireplace in each room. In December 1873, Richard Kerner began a forty-year career as passenger, express and freight agent as well as the telegraph operator.
Following the Civil War, this rail connection enabled Kernersville to develop a strong tobacco-based economy that lasted from the 1870’s until the turn of the twentieth century. Kernersville had five tobacco factories, two tobacco warehouses and several related industries. A 1901 map of the Southern Railroad System shows Kernersville in a key position in the triangle composed of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point. The line connected Kernersville will the markets of Statesville, Salisbury and Charlotte. About the same time a new “stylish” passenger and freight depot was built directly across the tracks. The Southern Railroad demolished this depot, which served Kernersville for many years, in 1985.
In keeping with the mission of the Kernersville Downtown Preservation and Development Council, an effort was launched in 1994 to save the old depot. Norfolk-Southern Railroad informed the Town of Kernersville that the depot was on railroad right-of-way and must be moved or demolished. After much correspondence, many fundraising projects, donations from local citizens, grants from the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, a grant from The Kernersville Historic Preservation Society and a memorial fund, the depot was finally saved. The move to its new location was finalized on September 28, 1998. The next phase of this project is the establishment of a committee of community volunteers to determine the appropriate use for the depot. KDPDC’s involvement in this project is because of their belief that it is important to preserve as much of Kernersville history as possible for future generations.
The Kernersville Depot’s second phase of restoration is almost complete. The foundation and roof has been repaired and the building has now been deemed “structurally safe.” The interior walls and flooring has been repair and/or replaced. Steel gussets supporting the roof system trusses have been installed. The Rotary Club of Kernersville purchased a Town Clock for Kernersville and the Town landscaped the entire corner that sits adjacent to the property. New decking has been constructed around the side and on the back of the Depot. The Leadership Kernersville Class of 2007 planted shrubbery and trees along the fence for their class project. Funds have been procured to renovate the passenger waiting room and the ticket office. Future funding will be needed to continue with the renovations.
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