Built c. 1855 (1855) Architect Simon, Louis A. Area 10 ha | Built by Rollins & Poindexter NRHP Reference # 00001292 Added to NRHP 1 November 2000 | |
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Location Roughly bounded by Market St., Hugh Chatham Bridge, Standard St., and Front St., Elkin, North Carolina Architectural style Early Commercial, Bungalow/craftsman, et.al. | ||
Downtown Elkin Historic District is a national historic district located at Elkin, Surry County, North Carolina. The district encompasses 51 contributing buildings and 2 contributing structures in the central business district of Elkin. They were primarily built between about 1890 and 1950 and include notable examples of Early Commercial and Bungalow / American Craftsman architecture. Notable buildings and structures include the Gwyn-Foard House (c. 1855), Hugh G. Chatham Bridge (1931), Liberty Tobacco Warehouse (c. 1920), Harris Building (1902), U.S. Post Office (1937) designed by the Office of the Supervising Architect under Louis A. Simon, former Elkins Town Hall (1938–1939) built by the Works Progress Administration, Dobbin's Store (c. 1940), and the Riverside Hotel (1915–1925).
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. It has also been a part of the North Carolina Main Street Program since 1998 and is an accredited MainStreet community. Elkin's Main Street Advisory Board oversees the district and advises on beautification projects, assists with facade grants, and focuses on preserving the historical integrity of the downtown. You can learn more at www.elkinmainstreet.com. Many renovations have been completed recently, and the Reeves Theater is currently being renovated into a live music venue and cafe, scheduled to open in 2016, seating 300 people.
Elkin's historical downtown is unusual as it is along the Yadkin River, and its Main Street is included along the route of the NC Mountains to Sea Trail. It offers various trails including the blue trail along the Yadkin River, which is accessible at Crater Park, two blocks south of Main Street. The Overmountain Victory Trail borders the west side of downtown next to Big Elkin Creek, and a Civil War marker is across from the library at Front St and W Main St. You'll also find various new murals in the downtown depicting historical information, trails and a mural dedicated to the Yadkin Valley Wine Region, AVA, in which Elkin resides.