“What is historic, and worth saving, varies with the beholder, but some definition is urgent. Simply put, “historic” means “old and worth the trouble.” It applies to a building that’s part of a community’s tangible past. And though it may surprise cynics, old buildings can offer opportunities for a community’s future. ” – Julia Rocchi
A Reminder: As a Main Street America™ Accredited program, the City of Henderson is a recognized leading program among the national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities that share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. All Main Street America™ Accredited programs meet a set of National Accreditation Standards of Performance as outlined by Main Street America. Rocky Mount has foolishly lost its accreditation and have paid the price as other towns around us benefit from participating. I’m counting on the Downtown Development Department to make this priority happen again.
I visited Henderson for the first time on Saturday, March 25, ’23 when family drove to see great-granddaughter, Annaclaire, perform in a dance compitition. I returned on April 1 for more dance and a second look at Henderson, the county seat of Vance County, North Carolina, population 15,060 at the 2020 census. The city was named in honor of former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Leonard Henderson.
One of the interesting buildings is the P.H. Rose Building, 115-117 South Garnett Street in Henderson. Built in 1890 this was the original location of P.H. Rose’s department store. Rose’s Stores, Inc was founded in Henderson, NC in 1915 by Paul Howard Rose (1880–1955). Roses Stores (originally known as P.H. Rose) is now a regional discount store with its headquarters in Henderson, North Carolina.
I am interested in the in-fill projects various cities create. Here is a photo of a space in downtown Rocky Mount that I have high hopes for.
Here is a park Henderson has created in a space like ours
The following photos are a quick snap shot of a few commercial buildings that will be saved and repurposed participating in The Main Street Program. Henderson has typical Main Street architecture that is important to their story; architectural gems to be saved. Though you will recognize similar commercial architecture in Rocky Mount, and Eastern North Carolina towns, I insist that Rocky Mount’s Main Street area is the best of all. Henderson revitalization efforts include some wonderful facilities up and running. I look forward to a future visit with more successful projects completed. Go and mosey around in Goldsboro, New Bern, Elizabeth City, and Tarboro. You’ll want to stay but come back home and get involved with the romance of honoring the past while building a future. Rocky Mount’s camp-fire flames can be seen again in Eastern North Carolina. Let’s keep stoking the fire with enthusiasm and hard work.
Main Street Rocky Mount 