Stimulated by the development of Southern Railroad Company's nearby Spencer Shops, as well as by the early twentieth century growth and prosperity of the City of Salisbury, North Main Street developed into an attractive residential
area during the period 1900-1935.During this period residential avenues developed along North and South Main Street, East and West Innes Streets, Salisbury's other major traffic arteries. Only North Main Street, however, retains much of its original appearance, providing and excellent picture of the process of residential development which altered the appearance of sma1l towns and large cities across the state and nation during the first three decades of the twentieth century.
The district contains no one central architectural theme, but contains a number of representatives of late Victorian, Colonial Revival and Bungalow domestic styles. Consequently, it provides an excellent picture of the interplay of the three major domestic styles which formed the face of residential areas across North Carolina during the early years of the twentieth century. The architectural fabric, created during the process of suburbanization which took place in Salisbury between 1900 and 1930, is still largely intact providing North Main Street with a rich and varied character worthy of preservation.
This eclectic two-story late Victorian dwelling is one of the most elaborate in the district. Characterized by an unusual bell-shaped ogee developed in its front gable, the J. R. Crawford House at 826 N. Main maintains the late Victorian theme of the early dwellings. Its handsome stair, symmetrical moldings, and variety of mantels combine to give it one of the finest interiors in the late Victorian home group in this neighborhood.
Set on a terraced lot looking out over N. Main Street, the J.R. Crawford House vividly demonstrates the asymmetrical composition and enthusiastic exterior and interior treatment of the late Victorian period. Its steeply sloped hip roof is interrupted by projecting gables, one of which contains the unusual bell-shaped ogee. An extremely handsome porch with robust turned posts and bold sawn brackets, defines the asymmetrical facade which contains a large oval window.This enthusiastic Victorian motif is maintained on the interior by fine stair with elaborately carved newel and turned balustrade, symmetrical moldings with round corner blocks, and a variety of elaborate mantels. These mantels all feature mirrored over mantels and range in style from fanciful Victorian with elegantly carved posts, to more formal Colonial Revival types with massive classical columns.
Greg Rapp also listed and sold the circa 1893 Mary Steele Scales House at 126 E. Steele Street, one of the oldest Victorian homes in the North Main neighborhood and the oldest structure in the North Main Historic District. This two-story weather-boarded frame late Victorian dwelling was built by a descendant of John Steele on a portion of his large plantation. It was built for Mary Steele Scales (1840-1919) and her second husband, N. E. Scales (1833-1921), Mary Steele was a granddaughter of John Steele (1764-1815) who established a large plantation north of Salisbury and built his house, 'Lombardy', just a short distance to the east, which we now know
as the historic John Steele House. (The John Steele House, circa 1799,
is the oldest still-standing house in Salisbury NC.)
The North Main District is filled with jewel-toned homes from one end of the promenade to the other: A drive down North Main takes you past the vivid topaz of the circa 1915 Colonial Revival foursquare D. W. Goodson House at 923 N. Main Street, the deep lavender of the ca. 1912 R. L. Mahaley House at 800 N. Main Street with it's sparkling lime accents, and the striking terracotta and deep olive green of the Davis-Wilhelm-McDaniel home, an elaborate circa 1920 bungalow with a blend of late Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman architectural details. The J.R. Crawford House is known for its deep garnet second story and hunter green first story with deep gold trim ~ a landmark home in the neighborhood ~ and now home to new owners!The Victorian homes along the 800 block of North Main sport the colors of Valentine candy hearts: soft pinks, yellows, and lavenders, and you'll see the apple green foursquare at circa 1921 Arey-Maupin House. The Myers-Morris home, another one of the original homes in the district at 1428 North Main, is being revitalized by the Historic Salisbury Foundation, and has been painted a lush deep yellow. This home, long vacant, is now for sale through the HSF. Driving through the North Main district is like opening a paint box of the most magnificent colors ~ and like flipping through a book of American architectural styles from the late 1800s to the late 1920s!
If you find yourself pining for the charm of an older home, and for the quality construction and materials that went into these homes that allows them to stand for 100+ years, you'll want to give Greg Rapp / Wallace Realty a call.The North Main Neighborhood's historic district is only one of 10 historic districts in Salisbury North Carolina, and Greg is the area's expert when it comes to helping you buy or sell a vintage home. Give Greg a call at 704.213.6846 to see other historic homes for sale in Salisbury, North Carolina. You won't be disappointed!
Wallace Realty Co.
704 213 6846 Mobile
704 636 2021 Office
www.realestatesalisbury.net
