Ripley-Shepherd Building
1847.
Believed to be the second oldest building on Main Street; one of several structures built by Colonel Valentine Ripley, and once known as the "Ripley Brick Store House.” It is said to have served as a district commissary under a Major Noe during the Civil War and was Hendersonville's post office during the tenure of James Waldrop (1876-1883). Having served many commercial purposes, the two-story brick structure is still remembered for Shepherd and Hart's furniture and undertaking business, and its long association with the Shepherd family who bought it in 1896. Distinctive on Main Street for its high hip roof and bracketed eaves, the store has been altered at street level for modern commercial purposes but restored in 2004.
HISTORIC MARKER PLACED 2009
Ripley-Shepherd Building
ca. 1847
Built by Col. Valentine Ripley, early businessman, this is one of the first brick structures in Hendersonville. Early uses were a general store, post office and Confederate commissary under Major Noe. M.M. Shepherd and F.G. Hart purchased it in 1896 for a furniture and undertaking business. Still proudly owned by the descendents of M.M. Shepherd.
ca. 1900
Photo taken 1987.
Mid 20th century.
One-story plain commercial building divided into sections by change in color or brick.
Photos taken 1987.
Historic Markers placed 2009:
215 N. Main 1962 Built by Daniel C. Barber, Jr., this building was modeled after the Western Auto Store in the Charlottetown Mall in Charlotte and was the first use of pre-stressed concrete on Main Street. The Barber Family ran the Western Auto Store and True Value Hardware Store here from 1961 until 2007. The St. Johns Hotel was on this side prior to 1915.
219-221 N. Main 1962 Built by Norman Farnsworth, this building filled the last vacant lot on Main Street. Tenants of the two-storefront building have been Fred Toms Furniture Outlet, credit & financial companies and the Added Touch gift shop. Western Auto expanded into the southern portion from 1985 until 2007. The St. Johns Hotel was on this site prior to 1915.
Ca. 1920.
Small one-story brick building with unusual applied Neo-Classical cornice and lion heads on frieze. Stained glass panel above door and display window. 1926 Sanborn Map indicates that this was once a dry cleaning establishment. Recently rehabilitated.
1920s.
Plain two-story striated brick commercial building. Storefront has been rehabilitated, which included introduction of three-foot recess at street level.
Late 1920s.
Plain one-story painted brick commercial structure with recessed panels above modern storefront. Transoms with structural glass remain above modern aluminum awning.
HISTORIC MARKER PLACED 2009
202-206 N. Main ca. 1920s
Used as a Tin Shop in the twenties, the Blue Bird and Carson Ice Cream Companies operated here in the forties and fifties. Sinclair Office Supply occupied the building for over 36 years.
Photo taken 1987.