Jazz legend John Coltrane grew up in a quiet neighborhood in East High Point, where his childhood home still stands. Six years ago, officials unveiled a historical marker in the front yard, and plans were in place to restore the 1920s-era house into a tourist destination. But those plans appear to be on hold.
It’s a modest two-story home built by Coltrane’s grandfather in 1928. Inside, unique architectural features make it an excellent candidate for preservation. Renovations began a few years ago with a $250,000 state grant, but the funds ran out before completion due to escalating construction costs. The High Point Preservation Society is leading the project.
John Coltrane Committee Co-Chair Phyllis Bridges says the city’s estimate is for an additional $400,000 to get everything up to code.
"$400,000 is a lot," she says. "But then again, when you have a city that's really booming and you have a lot of corporations tied to it, it's not a lot of money. So, we are in a very good position far as getting that amount of money. So it can be done. It will be done."
Bridges says the Society’s current goal is to raise half of that cost in partnership with the community and to ask the city to take on the remaining $200,000.
"Restoring the John Coltrane house is very important," she says. "That is a legacy that is known around the world. And High Point was so blessed to have him grow up in our city. So this is an international name that we can't just let, you know, be completely lost in history."
The John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival takes place next month at Oak Hollow Park in High Point.