November 2013 Volume 33, Number 4

A funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County

Piedmont Wagon Mill Sold Commercial Venture Will Insure Landmark’s Preservation

Poinsettia Sale at

Maple Grove

work: Reinstallation of a tin /metal roof

matching the original, reconstruction of

a rail dock and combination wood/

metal awning, removal of a ca. 1930’s

deteriorated rear addition, reinstallation

of fire shutters, reconstruction of

windows, and new mechanical,

electrical, and plumbing infrastructure.

A FaceBook page www.facebook.com/

piedmontwagonproperties has been

established that will offer progressive

images of the building’s restoration and

rehabilitation.

The building is the last remaining

structure from the original 13-acre

Piedmont Wagon Company industrial

site. It was constructed ca. 1889 as a

state-of-the-art structure, fully (Continued on Page 3)

structure from a hosiery mill warehouse

into office space for Cornerstone

United, an international service contract

administrator that has served the

United States and Canada for over 30

years. The company expects to expand

employment levels upon completion of

the work, sometime next Fall. “We are

excited to have the opportunity to

rehabilitate this building”, said

Cornerstone United President and

developer Richard Schwartzel.

“I cannot tell you how thrilled I am”,

said HLS Executive Director Patrick

Daily. “We have been persistent, seems

like forever, in trying to preserve the

building. So many ups and downs.”

Two previous, private development

efforts did not succeed in 2011 and

2012. “The irony is that this effort will

have a much greater economic impact

on Hickory, especially West Hickory. It

could not have happened otherwise”,

Daily said.

B u i l d i n g c o n t r a c t o r W i l k i e

Construction Company of Lenoir and

CBSA Architects of Hickory are providing

primary contract services for the $2.6

million project. Included in the exterior

After years of deterioration, neglect,

a recession, near collapse of the area’s

real estate market, foreclosure, and two

unsuccessful private efforts, a happy

ending appears at hand. A Hickory

business has acquired the Piedmont

Wagon mill property to rehabilitate and

develop as offices according to local,

state, and federal preservation

standards.

Piedmont Wagon Properties, LLC, is

working with the Hickory Landmarks

Society, the City of Hickory, the North

Carolina State Historic Preservation

Office, and the National Park Service to

perform a total rehabilitation of the 19th

century wagon-making facility on Main

Avenue, NW. The project will re-

purpose the 37,000 sq. ft. brick

HLS is sponsoring the 34th annual

Poinsettia Sale, a fundraiser to benefit

the Hickory Landmarks Society. Over

1500 plants are expected to be sold

over a three week period from historic

Maple Grove. More than 60 volunteers

are involved in this major fundraiser.

Volunteer coordinator Betty Sherrill is

looking for people interested in joining

the camaraderie and excitement of this (Continued on Page 5)

The Hickory Landmarks Society will

launch its newest publication, Nora and

the Maple Grove Dairy with an “open

house “ event at Maple Grove on No-

vember 17, 1:30—4:30 pm. The late

Jeanie Sullivan’s second manuscript of

a planned series based on the life of

Nora Shuford has been published.

Nora and the Maple Grove Dairy:

Growing Up in 19th c. Hickory, North (Continued on Page 3)

New Book Release

Set For Maple Grove

Sunday, Nov. 17

Kudos

Question: What do Mike Kelly Jr., Clay Neill, John Moretz, and Richard

Schwartzel have in common? Answer: All are area businessmen, all are

preserving old historic structures in Hickory for their company’s

commercial purposes, and all are leading a nascent revival of our city’s

once depressed commercial district. These are people with vision who are

not afraid to take risks, not afraid to confront unique challenges, and if

asked would be the first to tell you they do not do this alone. After all,

what is the nature of the word “company”?

Historic preservation as a national grassroots effort has been around

for nearly a half century. Each community has its unique story to tell about

saving landmarks. Hickory’s story is one of ups and downs. We have saved

some of our finest architectural gems, and we have lost some of our finest

architectural gems. Those that stand preserved are testaments to the

historical, artistic character of Hickory, so precious when it comes to

wanting to live, work, and play here.

To be sure, there have been others in recent years who have preceded

those named above with rehabilitations of their own vacant commercial

buildings. I think of Houston and Teressa Harris who bought the old

Hickory Granary building and made office suites, and Peter Zagaroli who

rehabbed a forgotten warehouse on the East Side into a stunning-looking

building for his construction business.

But there is one more element to revitalization. Does it make economic

sense? These are not just “labors of love”, so to speak. Business leaders

are in business to make a profit, answer to shareholders, etc.. If they did

not see a financial bottom line attractive enough none of these

preservation projects would have happened. Without vision that includes

economic logic all of these buildings would be in a landfill, casualties of

modernists who believe new is progress.

The Piedmont Wagon Mill rehabilitation project that you will learn more

of in the coming months will be one of the best examples of commercial

development of an early industrial building in our region. It takes a person

with passion, means, and appreciation for our heritage to make it work.

The building was a designated national historic landmark for 30 years, one

of our City’s most historic sites, and yet it had been endangered for so

long individuals came to me asking about purchasing the place because

the bricks and posts were worth more as salvage than the building. What

they did not see or understand was that it is not about bricks and mortar,

its about community. Jobs are being created, services for our citizens are

being expanded, and new tax bases for the City government to be more

effective are being created. New businesses will be motivated to do the

same because others came before them and the community pride is more

evident. The message is clear: Historic preservation makes sense.

Hats off to you four gentlemen, and your companies, for saving the

1897 Wilfong House, the 1930’s Hollar Hosiery Mill, the ca. 1930 Moretz

Mills, and the ca. 1889 Piedmont Wagon Mill. Its been a good year.

Patrick Daily

A Message From

The Executive Director

The Board of Directors

2013-2014

Monty Matthews, President

Werner Schulz, Vice President

Carleen Crawford, Secretary

Jim Gregory, Treasurer

Sam Hunt, Past President

Hon. Austin Allran

Beverly Barger

Carleen Crawford

Becky Ferrell

Jim Gregory

Jean Hefner

Lanny Huffman

Beth Keane

Albert Keiser, Jr.

Kathy Ludwig

Monty Matthews

William Oelkers

Betty Petersen

Robert Rowe

Werner Schulz

Kennie Shuford

Alice Spuller

Robert Walker

Nancy Willingham

Honorary Board

Members

Wade Hampton Shuford

Staff

Patrick T. Daily, Executive Director

Leslie Keller, Curator of Collections/

Education Coordinator

Mission Statement

The Mission of the

Hickory Landmarks Society

is to serve the Hickory region by leading

in the protection of historically or

architecturally significant neighborhoods,

individual landmarks and traditions.

We do this through education, advocacy,

property management, and ensuring

responsible historic preservation as part of

community growth.

(Continued from Page 1)

fireproofed, with a steam elevator

and electricity.

There are now indications the

building may have been constructed

just prior to 1902. Wagons and

other vehicles were manufactured in

this building until it changed owners

in the 1950’s. In 1984 this

remaining building was listed on the

National Register of Historic Places

(Continued from Page 1)

Carolina is a fact-based fictional story of young Nora Shuford,

the daughter of one of Hickory’s most prominent pioneer fami-

lies. Author Jeanie Sullivan has expertly captured the spirit of

hope and excitement from a child’s perspective in western

North Carolina of the 1880’s. Children of the 2nd to 4th grade

reading level will especially enjoy Nora and the Maple Grove

Dairy, but the age for all readers of this wonderful book is

timeless.

The book is a creative combination of two separate 28-

page English language and 28-page Spanish language ver-

sions. All pages contain unique, colored illustrations by artist

Robert Winter, a professor emeritus of art at Lenoir-Rhyne

University in Hickory. The skillful design, layout, and publica-

tion is the work.

It is funded in part by a matching Grassroots Arts grant

from the NC Arts Council.

Dr. Winter, the author’s husband Douglas Sullivan, and

Nora’s actual cousin Wade Hampton Shuford, Jr. are sched-

uled to attend the 1:30-4:30 pm event, which is free to the

public. Refreshments will be available.

Retail Price: $15.

Member Discount and Library Rate: $12

New HLS Members: Free

Upgraded Member Levels: Free

Willard-Bolick House (1917) @ 263 4rd Ave, NW was recently demolished.

Condition had deteriorated.

Piedmont Wagon Mill Sold

New Book Release

(Right) Only Remaining Original Window

Will Be Model For Window Reconstructions.

Paul Fomberg, Senior Restoration Specialist from the NC State Historic

Preservation Office (right) Tours Building on October 23.

Open House October 17 Sponsored by Cornerstone United Employees.

More Than 100 Attended.

New and Renewing Memberships Sept. 18—Nov. 5, 2013

Benefactor Mary B. Shuford

Paramount Kia

Sustainer Carolyn Williams Bauerlein

Dot Crouch

Mr. and Mrs. Boyd L. George

Jack and Debbie Hawn

James and Judith Tarlton

Patron Allegra Print and Imaging

Ballenger Family Partnership

D. Mark Boyd III

Brenda and Dale Cline

CommScope

Deals Electronics

Clement & Mary Elizabeth Geitner

Dr. and Mrs. Brian P. Hearon

HSM Solutions, Inc.

Hickory Sheet Metal Co., Inc.

Anne F. Mitchell

Jeff and Catherine Norris

Mary B. Padgett

Nancy and Alex Shuford

Bob Williams & Stephen Heavner

Dr. and Mrs. Randal J. Williams

Sponsor Bass Smith Funeral Home

Dr. and Mrs. John W. Bates

Douglas and Shirley Burton

Bobby and Brenda Bush

Jane Bush

Mr. and Mrs. G. Maurice Capps

Sandra and George Clay

Tim Cline

Joyce Corbett

Grady and Joretta W. Duncan

Margaret C. Edwards

Anne Nixon Elliott

Mike and Denise Filip

Paul and Martha Fogleman

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Francis

Gary and Anita Freund

George and Sarah Furlong

Linda Gensheimer

Kenneth and Arlinda Graham

Anne G. Harrison

Jean L. Hefner

Deda and Chuck Helms

Barbara A. Herman

City of Hickory

Doug and Diane Holman

Betty and Dolan Huffman

Catherine Hunsucker &

Tony Hanson

Jane Hunsucker

White and Gail Iddings

Rebecca and Jody Inglefield

Rusty and Sara Isenhour

Mr. Jack W. Lail

Mr. and Mrs. G. Leroy Lail

Scott and Hailey Lail

Angie and Lanny Lambert

Mrs. Anne Hardin Mason

Nancy Matheson

Anne and Charles Moss

Don Norwood

James M. and Kay B. Schmucker

Danny and Elaine Seaver

Betty Sherrill

Polly Shook

Mrs. and Mrs. Harley Shuford, Jr.

Steve and Kennie Shuford

Ernie and Cindy Sills

Fan and Skipper Smith

Darrell & Amelia Stafford

Douglas A. Sullivan

Dr. W. Clyde & Mary Catherine

Taylor

Jack and Sarah Temple

Charlie and Joyce Trado

Bob and Tommie Walker

Rick and Becky Ward

Alice M. Watts

Beverly S. White

Charles and Nancy Willingham

Janet H. Wilson

Karl and Carole Wolfe

Robert and Ruby Wyly

Elaine S. Zerden

Friend Sen. and Mrs. Austin Allran

Nancy Allured

Steve Austin and Jeff Mingus

Dr. Russell E. Benton

Alice Bishopric/Peter Stulginskis

Rev. and Mrs. Harvey Blume

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome W. Bolick

Barbara Clark

Joyce S. Clayton

Cramer Lumber Company

Jack and Carleen Crawford

Charles D. Dixon

Thomas and Ann Dobbins

Leila B. Doughton

Tom and Sandra Foster

Mrs. Madeleine F. Futrelle

Jane W. Golden

Jim and Mary Anne Gregory

Dr. Richard and Olivia Griffin

Jennifer Helton

Sam Hunt

Nancy and Larry Isenhour

Kent Kerley

William W. McComb, Jr.

Dr. Lorene H. Painter

Jerry and Judy Pruitt

Libby Reeves

Robert and Linda Rowe

Werner and Heidi Schulz

Lendall G. Simmons

Mrs. Dorothy Lewis Shuford

Charles and Catherine Snipes

Michael and Martha Sowers

Toby and Meaghan Texer

Ted and Mary Thuesen

Floyd Walcher

Tom and Dee Warren

David and Donna Whitener

Anne Williams

Family William and Dale Abernethy

Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay Abernethy

Dick and Gail Adams

Jim and Lynn Beckhom

Richard and Marcia Boyd III

Dr. and Mrs. Grimes Byerly

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Campbell

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff M. Cline

Bob and Vicky Clodfelter

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan DeBettencourt

Steve and Sue Dobbins

Bill and Kirby Dodd

Wic and Tina Dunlap

Alan and Barb Forshey

Sally and Frank Fox

Dennis and Karen Hacker

Kiran Harrill

Dr. and Mrs. Bob Hart

Larry and Kay Herman

Ron and Madelyn Hight

Blake and Mattie Honeycutt

Mark and Sallie Huckabee

John and Penny Huss

John and Beth Keane

Betty and Leslie Keller

Duane and Betti Kirkman

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Knedlik

Dr. and Mrs. W. Hampton Lefler

Marjorie McDaniel

Dottie and Bill McDowell

Reid and June McKay

Barbara F. Miller

Mary and Rufus Moretz

Joseph and Tonya Osborne

John and Betsy Powell

Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Seabock

Carolyn and Darrell Sigmon

Tommy Stine

Paige and Diane Straley

Ray and Judy Thomas

Charles and June Trivette

David and Kay Webber

Individual Marian H. Berry

Wayne E. Bowman

Scottie Sue Brittain

Sara W. Caldwell

Marcia Copper

Susan Matheson Dale

Charles Deal

Sadie R. Dunn

Helen H. Ellis

J.C. Epting

Martha Espey

Peggy Fox

Marilyn Futrelle

Sarah Huffman

Sue Huffman

Mr. Charles Jeffers

Van Johnson

Lesa Joiner

Shirley Logan

Carol J. Lundeen

Ann W. Peden

Ms. Helen Reed

Glenda Schenck

Rev. Edward J. Sheridan

Angela Beaver Simmons

Ruby Spencer

Nell Propst Thomas

Shirley Thomason

Adrienne Washer

Marje Wells

Mrs. Mary Jo Williams

Sara H. Yount

Unrestricted

Donations J.C. Epting

Annual Campaign Dale Abernethy

Susannah Patton

Memorial GItts

In Memory of

Jim and Harriett Houser

Albert Keiser, Jr.

Have you

remembered

The Hickory Landmarks

Society

in your will?

short subjects

(Continued from Page 1)

event.

Poinsettias of various sizes and

colors will be on sale from 9-5 daily

(except Sundays) beginning Saturday

November 30. The sale will continue

through December 18. Fresh, florist

quality poinsettias are grown especially

for HLS and will be available at Maple

Grove at 542 Second Street NE. Prices

range from $7.00 to $45.00 per plant.

Poinsettia order brochures have been

mailed. Place pre-orders now by mail or

call the office at 322-4731 with Visa/

Mastercard information. Thanks to the

support of individuals, churches and

local business, much needed funds are

generated for historic preservation

projects within our community.

Come in and purchase the beautiful

plants and be assisted by our wonderful

volunteers. We hope you’ll support HLS

and buy poinsettias for your family,

friends or fellow employees. Gift

certificates are available.

Poinsettia Sale

Nov. 30—Dec. 18

The United Arts Council of Catawba County

will kick off the 2014 United Arts Fund

campaign in January. Please support

HLS and your funded arts affiliate or-

ganizations in this way.

The Hickory Landmarks Society’s Board

of Directors held a Board “retreat” on

November 9 at the Catholic Conference

Center in Catawba County. Topics dis-

cussed included a Long Range Plan

review and collections management

policy and procedures.

Special thanks to Paramount Motors-Kia

for their contribution of $1,500 to the

2013 HLS Annual Membership cam-

paign. We are 80% of our goal!

Executive Director Patrick Daily’s book

Patrick Henry: The Last Years 1789-1799

has been re-released by the Patrick

Henry Memorial Foundation in Virginia.

The 265-page publication details a little

known, yet important part in the life of

the Revolutionary War patriot and state-

ment. It is currently available for sale at

Maple Grove and at Red Hill museum

n e a r B r o o k n e a l , V i r g i n i a

info@redhill.org. Hardback copies:

$21.95. Softback: $14.95.

Landmarkings

Now Available via E-Mail.

If you would like to receive your copy of

Landmarkings via your e-mail address

please send us an e-mail making that

request to info@hickorylandmarks.org.

Opting to receive the newsletter via e-

mail will help HLS to decrease the cost

of printing and postage and guarantee

100% color images. E-mails are also

more eco-friendly.

The following properties within the Hick-

ory City limits are currently for sale. All

are 60 years old or older. No property is

either sponsored or endorsed by the

Hickory Landmarks Society. HLS re-

ceives no remuneration. They are listed

solely for the benefit of our readers.

The Mission of the Hickory Landmarks

Society is to serve the community by

leading in the protection of historically or

architecturally significant landmarks,

neighborhoods, and cultural traditions.

Historic Buildings

for Sale

Edgar L. Fox House (1937)

525 Second Avenue, NW

Colonial Revival gem on generous

lot.

Oakwood Historic District.

Frederick O. Bock House (1923)

445 Second Avenue SE

Bungalow with an expansive front

porch and original hardwood

floors.

Kenworth Historic District

William P. Bowman House (1926)

439 Second Avenue, SE

Fixer-upper at a great price.

Kenworth Historic District

The Hickory Landmarks Society has

been selected to Receive the City of

Hickory’s Community Appearance Beau-

tification Award for its work to preserve

the 1937 stone Boy Scout Cabin in Hick-

ory’s Rotary City Park. The award, given

in the category of Historic Preservation,

recognizes the restoration in 2012 of

one of the Boy Scouts of America’s most

important historic landmarks, used by

Troop #1 and the site of one of the first

Boy Scout troops in the nation. It will be

presented at a public ceremony on De-

cember 2 by the Hickory City Council.

HLS Receives

Preservation Award

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID Hickory, N.C.

Permit No. 129

Published Quarterly By: Hickory Landmarks Society 542 Second St., NE P.O. Box 2341 Hickory, N.C. 28603 828/322-4731

Return Service Requested

Upcoming Events,

Schedules

November 28 –29, 2013—

Offices Closed.

November 30—December 18,

2013 (Except Sundays) -

34th Annual Poinsettia Sale at

Maple Grove.

December 8, 2013—

Christmas Open House at

Propst House from 1:30—4:30

pm.

December 24 –25, 2013—

Offices Closed.

December 31, 2013—Jan. 1,

2014—

Offices Closed.

The annual Christmas Open House at the Propst House will be held on Sunday afternoon

Dec. 8 from 1:30—4:30. The public is invited to enjoy special Victorian decorations and

thoroughly modern refreshments.