I want you to look at an example of an ordinary commercial building, not unlike some we have on Howard Steet. I encourage you to see the buildings I photographed with this example of a renovated commercial building in mind.
According to Moss: Architecture: Design: Green, whose architectural firm did the work, this former repair shop has been transformed into a photographic studio. New windows and cleaning of the Chicago Common Brick found inside helped upgrade the space’s look and feel, without scrapping its valuable assets of brick and foundation. The concrete floors and wooden rafters were attended to.
Here is the building Charles Killebrew used as his office. At his death, the building was left to his daughter and is now for sale. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to further preserve and repurpose this building as one of the pieces of the puzzle along Howard Street?
The fabulous Almond’s ghost sign is a historic nod to the past. How wonderful to have it as part of the Howard Street dream. Think of Adaptive Reuse when reimagining Howard Street. Zoning B4 allows mixed usage. The dream is about giving an existing building, home or venue a new purpose, or maintaining the same purpose while preserving, rebuilding, enhancing or maintaining elements of the building. When viewed one at a time the dream seems more manageable. We could form a Howard Street Concerned Citizens group, and put some wind under the sails of this dream. Teams of two could select a building, research the facts, and present them, and, and, and…..
Historic preservation clearly does much more than preserve bricks and mortar. It recognizes that our built history connects us in tangible ways with our past and provides context for the places we occupy and the world we live in. It fuses art with craftsmanship, capacity for modern utility with embodied energy, and progressive ideas for economic revitalization with traditional authenticity. Historic preservation is at the same time wonderfully egalitarian; all socioeconomic classes in every corner of the nation have successfully utilized its principles to protect their heritage and revitalize their communities.
-Craig Potts, Executive Director of the Kentucky Heritage Council and State Historic Preservation Officer
Main Street Rocky Mount 
It is so good to see Howard Street getting some love.
If I remember correctly, Bugs Barringer’s studio was on Western Avenue at the end of Howard Street; it is occupied at this time. I had hoped that someone would make Charlie Killebrew’s studio a museum to commemorate these two pillars of the community. I think the Telegram’s old home at 120 Howard would be a fantastic museum to commemorate their role in the community as well. From what I understand, however, it is being used as storage space by the nonprofit around the corner from it.
There are some hidden gems along that street. Perhaps all the good things happening around it (Moe & D’s, Central Cafe, Bel Air Art Center, Lorema Coffee, Station Square, the Event Center, the loft over the former R&H Homework site, and new landowners on Main Street) will spill over to Howard Street itself.
By the way, I think Mr. Evans’ office is pictured below the Almand’s ghost sign. I’d be happy to share some Howard Street memories with you in the Spring when we get that cup of coffee at Lorema when it opens.
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As usual, thankful when you share your memories, this time on Howard Street. Our New Years resolution should be to meet long before Spring. A lot of water over the dam since I first interviewed you and wrote a post about the little art space you had at the Artisans Center. Remembering our stroll around Main Street with you naming the businesses that once were. We must do that again soon.
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I have always loved Howard Street. It is a wonderful walking connector between Sunset Avenue and Western downtown, and with just one turn you are at the Bel Air Artisans Center!
I have happy memories of going to Charlie Killebrew’s studio, dropping off news releases to the newsroom at the Telegram, and then on to see James Reid at Barringer Studio. Don Evans’ attorney office is one of my favorite facades as well – it has always been so elegant, just like his wife Margaret Evans still is.
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I’m grateful for this comment, Marion. Just reading it brings energy and purpose back to the street. You’ll have to show me, Mr. Evans, office. I hope I have a photo of it. Hold a thought for this street to build a dream on.
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