Aycoth Family Home – 1966

 

Welcome to a new series highlighting Monroe Road area’s unique or historical gems. We begin with an article authored by Susan V. Mayer, a historic preservation consultant we connected with through Instagram last fall. We wanted to know more about the area’s architecture, people, and stories, and Susan’s passion for all things historical is both inspiring and educational. Through her firm SVM Historical Consulting, she has conducted research on a variety of historic properties around Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, both for work and for the fun of it. A native of north Louisiana, Susan and her husband have lived in Charlotte for 15 years, and they are raising a pair of Charlotte natives.

 

Aycoth Family Home – Woodberry Forest

After 23 years in the auto body repair business, Clifford M. Aycoth began developing and building real estate. In 1961, he constructed a commercial building at 4726 Monroe Road for a client, but the lease fell through. So Clifford pivoted and opened a furniture store there. Aycoth Furniture Center advertised “the best for less” and was open until 9:00 p.m. each night.

 

 

The Aycoth family was large—Clifford and his wife Martha Sue had six children—so Clifford set about designing them a home. They purchased a lot at the corner of Monroe Road and Lumarka Drive in Woodberry Forest in 1965, and Clifford got to work. The family took part in building the house, with Clifford and his oldest son Marshall doing most of the work. The Aycoths moved into the home in 1966.

The contemporary tri-level home boasted 4,800 square feet, four bedrooms, and a large recreation room with an indoor pool.

While the home was under construction, it drew many curious onlookers who wanted a tour of the unusual home—and an article in the Charlotte Observer declared Clifford “do-it-your-selfer-of-the-year.”

 

Clifford capitalized on the opportunity for marketing his furniture store—he opened the “beautiful home designed, built and furnished by Aycoth Furniture Center” for tours during National Homebuilders Week in September 1966. The Charlotte News followed up with a feature in their Better Living Section in November. Here’s an excerpt from that article:

“The tri-level house is built of gleaming white Holiday Hill stone with walnut stained trim. The extensive use of plate glass gives it an ultra-modern appearance.

 

Glass areas give a clear view of the swimming pool from the street and give swimmers a good view of the outside.”

 

 

The Aycoths sold the home in 1968. Unfortunately, later owners filled in the pool, but as you see from the 1966 description the exterior has retained its original appearance.

 

 

Today, the Aycoth Furniture House has found its way back into the family, as Clifford and Martha’s son Doy Dean Aycoth is the current owner.

Read another historical piece by Susan V Mayer:  Minute Market – 1961

**Updated 19 July 2022:  The home hit the market and is already under contract. You can see more photos on Zillow, but here is a sampling:

 

 

 

—Susan V. Mayer, SVM Historical Consulting