June 22, 2016

Restoration Opportunity!!! Circa 1900 Victorian Vernacular Home ~ Under $40K!

(Editor's Note 8/9/2016: This handsome home is now priced at $29,900!)

Welcome to the Town of Spencer, quietly nestled in the heart of the Piedmont just hours away from your choice of the Blue Ridge Mountains or the coastal beaches of North & South Carolina. Residents of Spencer, North Carolina pride themselves ourselves on maintaining their small town atmosphere, while offering the convenience of major cities such as Charlotte and Winston-Salem only 30 minutes away, and lovely historic Salisbury at its south border. 




The town was named for Samuel Spencer, first president of the Southern Railway, who is credited with establishment of the railroad's mechanical shops at the site in 1896. As the shops were being built the Southern Railway developed a town, also named Spencer, alongside the shops for worker housing. Initially, the Southern partitioned 85 acres into 500 lots. Instead of creating a traditional "company" town in which the workers rented houses Southern sold the lots to workers or businesses for $100 apiece. The deeds did contain restrictive covenants which maintained that a dwelling costing in excess of $400 and approved by a Southern appointed architect be built within a year. By 1901, Spencer had 625 residents. The former Spencer Shops were phased out during the 1950s through 1970s and have now become the location of the wonderful North Carolina Transportation Museum.


Spencer Historic District





Spencer became the first “development of consequence” to this area when the Southern Railway Company chose to locate this service yard centrally between Washington, DC and Atlanta. Established in 1905, the township that resulted remains loyal to its heritage – boasting the largest contiguous historic district in the state of North Carolina.



Located adjacent to the NC Transportation Museum, the Spencer National Historic Register District is the largest contiguous district in North Carolina. It contains 322 residential and commercial buildings primarily constructed between 1905 and 1920 to provide support and housing for the workers of Southern Railway’s former steam locomotive repair facility.

And in the heart of the Spencer Historic District is a restoration enthusiast's dream come true:  A lovely two-story Victorian for...wait for it...under $40,000!!!


This large circa 1900 Victorian-style farmhouse at 602 4th Street was formerly a duplex and therefore has suffered a bit of 'the tenant blues', and has two kitchens. However, this 2296 square-foot  home retains many of its original details: tall ceilings, several fireplaces (not currently functional) with original mantels, beadboard woodwork and original trim, and even an original clawfoot bathtub! This home is begging for a restoration and promises to be stunning once it is refurbished! 



This 602 4th Street Victorian sits on a deep, treed lot on a street lined with pretty historic homes from the era. Close to shopping and an adorable town park, you'll love the vintage small town character. Let Greg Rapp show you the potential of this wonderful old house!




Here are some very interesting links to the Town of Spencer NC and its history:


http://www.livingplaces.com/NC/Rowan_County/Spencer_Town/Spencer_Historic_District.html

http://www.rowancounty.info/spencer/History/Fowler_History_of_Spencer.pdf

http://www.nchistoricsites.org/spencer/main.htm


The Spencer Shops continue to serve as a reminder to the town’s origin, now serving as the site of the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Those activities of preservation and renovation have spilled over into the community as well, bringing about a sense of pride that has become a vital part of everyday life. 





So. . . when you are ready to enjoy the tree-lined streets and friendly atmosphere, downtown shops and community events, give Realtor® Greg Rapp a call. As the town slogan says, “Come, sit a spell… we hope you’ll decide to stay”.  And Wallace Realty agent Greg Rapp hopes you'll call him to stay in 602 4th Street and make it your home!



602 4TH STREET
Spencer, NC 28159
$32,750
MLS #58869






Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 





June 17, 2016

Circa 1912 Dutch Colonial Overlooking Historic District ~ For Sale!




801 N. Main Street is a landmark circa 1912 Dutch Colonial along the Main Street corridor in Salisbury NC, sitting high on the hill overlooking picturesque North Main Historic District.  One look at this home, and you can already picture yourself enjoying sunsets on your deep rocking-chair front porch, sweet tea in hand!  Do you call Greg Rapp with Wallace Realty right now (704.213.6846)?  Or do you read more.....

Stretching along both sides of North Main Street, from the tracks of the Norfolk-Southern Railway to the Salisbury-Spencer city limit, the North Main Historic District in Salisbury North Carolina proceeds in an almost unbroken rhythm, interrupted only occasionally by vacant lots and a few commercial intrusions. 

It contains a wide variety of early twentieth century domestic, architectural styles. This variety enables the district to provide an excellent picture of how this neighborhood and other twentieth century Salisbury neighborhoods, now destroyed by urban development, appeared during the period 1900-1930. The elaborate homes of prosperous merchants and city leaders combine with the more modest dwellings of the managerial and professional class, and the simple cottages of railroad workers to produce a rich and varied architectural fabric. Many of these dwellings, especially·on the east side of North Main Street, are set back from the street on elevated, terraced lawns. In this way, the topography of the area combines with the architectural fabric to add charm and character to the district.

801 N. Main Street is one of these fine historic homes, occupying an elevated lot trimmed with an attractive evergreen privet hedge and retaining wall.  Its prominent location make it a landmark along this main promenade into the historic downtown of Salisbury.

The 'James Lyons House', a contributing structure in this, one of (10) in Salisbury, historic district, was built in the Dutch Colonial Revival style around 1912 by James Lyons, a Southern Railway machinist, who occupied it until the 1940s. The once weather-boarded frame dwelling (the home now boasts aluminum and vinyl exterior finishes) features the gambrel roof characteristic of the Dutch Colonial style, but its lattice-mullioned windows, projecting front bay, and asymmetrical composition are derived from the late Victorian architectural era.  A third stylistic motif is provided by the tall tapered bungalow piers on brick bases which support its roof. 

801 N. Main Street and 705 N. Main Street (The Capel-Smith House), also built in 1912, are the only Dutch Colonial Revival homes in the district, but 801 is set apart by its lofty perch, high on a hill overlooking the picturesque North Main Historic District.  801 retains its characteristic deep front porch while 705's porch and rails were removed over the years, making the 'James Lyons House' the more original of the two.  




Many original interior features are intact in this lovely vintage 4-bedroom home: gleaming wood floors, multi-glass-paned French doors, and bay windows.  The built in china cabinet in the formal dining room is an extra-special plus!  Fireplaces, although not functional, are bedecked with original intact Cambridge tiles and attractive period mantelpieces.





And while 801 N. Main is an historic home, there are many modern updates to ease your ownership mind!  Aluminum/vinyl exterior means low maintenance, and a new roof was installed in 2015! The kitchen and baths were all recently updated. Bright new paint finishes on the exterior are cheerful updates to this wonderful old home.



801 N. Main Street is just blocks from the Historic Downtown, a vibrant area with restaurants, unique shops, an independent bookstore, (3) community theatres, and a nationally accredited art gallery.  To the west you'll find not one, but TWO beautiful parks, with walking trails, beautiful gardens, tennis courts, and playgrounds.  
And to the north is the Town of Spencer with its fascinating North Carolina Transportation Museum.  Salisbury is in the heart of the Piedmont of North Carolina, just an hour from Charlotte or Greensboro/Winston-Salem, two hours from Raleigh, the hip town of Asheville, Columbia and Greenville/Spartanburg SC. But with the vibrancy in Salisbury, you won't be searching far for fun and interesting things to do!


Is it time for you to purchase that historic home you've always wanted?  Reach out to Greg Rapp, Salisbury/Rowan County's #1 expert in old house sales! Call 704.213.6846 for your private showing of this wonderful home.  And at under $90,000 ~ this is an old-house opportunity not to be missed.  Call Greg today!




801 N. Main Street
Salisbury NC 28144
$89,900
MLS#58867



Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net