Brunson's Store block, ca. 1905.
Low brick commercial structure with corbeled cornice and a roll of diamond-shaped projections below this corbel table. Five cast iron pilaster survive at irregular intervals between shop windows. Modernized at street level. Sanborn maps indicate construction between 1901 and 1908.
Photos from 1987.
Early 20th century two-story painted striated brick commercial structure. The second-story windows have been filled in with brick panels with diamond ornament.
People's National Bank
Ca. 1910.
Two-story Neo-Classical structure of cream colored brick has a recessed central entrance beneath entablature carried by ionic columns with egg and dart motif and dentil blocks. Stepped parapet, with high point at center. Storefront to either side of entrance bay; south side unaltered, north side modern. Four second story windows to either side of entrance bay, grouped in pairs with a common sill and a limestone lintel above each. Limestone trim on the parapet cap, lower part of entablature, over second story windows, sills, columns, and bases of columns and piers. Second story windows in flanks and flanking storefronts altered.
Designed by notable Asheville architect Richard Sharp Smith, this was the earliest use of Neoclassical style and a reinforced concrete technique for a commercial structure in Hendersonville. Concrete made its splashy debut as a building form in 1910 when W. F. Edwards, the most active builder in Hendersonville during this period, decided to try out this material for a new bank. Mr. Edwards had already been the contractor responsible for much of the town's water and sewer system, the present Court House, and the Hendersonville Town Hall. For the People's National Bank, he worked with a Mr. Blythe.
The project clearly caught the fancy of the local citizens. The following reports came from the French Broad Hustler:
(1/27/10) "Messrs. Edwards and Blythe have returned from Atlanta, where they purchased the latest improved machinery for reinforced concrete construction. This machinery will be used for the first time in the construction or the People's National Bank."
(2/17/10) "Concrete mixer arrives for People's National Bank job."
(4/14/10) ".. .over a thousand barrels of cement will be used in the construction of the People's National Bank."
(6/23/10) "Edwards and Blythe are through with the concrete part of the People's National Bank's new building and are now starting to finish."
Photo taken 1987.
1920s.
One-story brick commercial structure with modern corrugated metal facade, and modern storefront.
Historical Marker placed 2009
Built originally as an auto garage, this building served as a bowling alley in the 1930s. Later tenants were O'Dell & Gossett Furniture Co., Gossett Furniture Co., and Kalin Furniture Co.
Photo 1987
Photo 1975
Dotson Store Building
Ca. 1895.
Two-and-a-half-story brick commercial building with elaborate brickwork ornamentation including corbeling at its cornice, recessed panels, and a segmental string course above its windows. Street level has been altered with plate glass display windows. Sanborn maps indicate this structure was built by 1896 and served as a general store in the early 20th century. During the 1920s, W. F. Dotson ran a harness shop and shoe store in the building.
ca. 1985
Photo taken 1987.