Members of the Alexander County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) were welcomed by Lincoln County Historic Preservation Commission member Laura Gregory on June 12 to enjoy a tour of historic downtown Lincolnton. The visit began at Lincolnton City Hall with a presentation about the history of Lincoln County and the City of Lincolnton from Gregory and City Planning Director Jean Derby.
Lincoln County was founded in 1779, with the City of Lincolnton incorporated in 1785. The county has 30 Local Landmark Designation Properties, 32 National Register Designation Properties, and 24 North Carolina Highway Historical Markers.
Following a two-block walk from Lincolnton City Hall, the group enjoyed a tour of the 1910 downtown building where Court Street Grille is located at 113 West Court Square. Owner and operator Osama Yousef began leasing the street-level space, and after several years, he purchased the property, developed an upper-floor residential space, then purchased the building next door and opened a downtown frozen yogurt and sweets shop known as CSG Sweets. Yousef is a strong advocate for downtown development and encourages other restaurants to move into downtown.
Next on the tour was The Doctor’s House, located at 202 West Main Street. The early 19th century home and doctor’s office is owned by the Lincoln County Historical Association. Through a generous grant from the Timken Foundation, the property is being restored as a future house museum.
A driving tour of the West Main National Register Historic District ended at The Meating Place, the home of a butcher shop and deli located at 114 East Main Street. The group then took a two-block walk to the Frank Beal House located at 204 South Academy Street.
Three presentations were made during lunch at the newly renovated restaurant, Local Roots and Provisions, located at 110 East Water Street and owned by Deana and Wes Spainhour and Rachel and Ethan Herman, with the building being owned by the City of Lincolnton.
Jean Derby presented information regarding the city’s variety of economic development grant programs, including a façade grant, a targeted incentive program for restaurants, and a targeted incentive program for breweries and distilleries. The city’s strategic economic plan outlined the targeted business types needed to complement the existing business mix. The businesses identified became the focus of the incentive grant program.
Preservation NC Regional Director (Western Office) Jack Thomson gave an overview of Preservation NC and its nonprofit role in preserving historic properties in North Carolina.
Lincoln County Planner and HPC liaison Josh Grant shared a comprehensive report of the planning process for the current adaptive reuse development of the 1923 Lincoln County Courthouse. He explained how they gained additional funding through state grants, their public engagement strategies, and the impact of the revitalization effort on the downtown area.
The next stop was Pleasant Retreat Academy, located at 129 East Pine Street, where Lincoln Landmarks Board Member Rick Ramseur shared the history of the 1817 academy. The former school building has been repurposed as a library for school tutorials, a meeting place for the Masons, a United Daughters of the Confederacy hall, and currently houses the Western Office of Preservation NC and Lincoln Landmarks.
The final stop was the Lincoln Cultural Center at 403 East Main Street, with a tour hosted by Lincoln Cultural Center Director Cathy Davis. The 1922 building began as the home of the First Baptist Church and was transformed into the Lincoln Cultural Center. The center is now the home of theatrical performances, art exhibits, historical research and history exhibits, as well as a reception hall with rooms for performing arts lessons and private meetings.
The Alexander County Historic Preservation Commission learned many lessons in ways to establish a successful preservation program and preserve the history of our county. Traveling to Lincoln County were Alexander County HPC members Helen Chestnut, Nancy Coley, Betty Long, and Tamara Odom. Accompanying the HPC were Alexander County Business Development Manager and Historic Preservation Staff Liaison Connie Kincaid and Senior Planner Patrick Creech.
The Alexander HPC appreciates the efforts of Laura Gregory to make the arrangements for an informative, educational, and inspiring trip to Lincoln County.