Author: Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin

Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin grew up in Evanston, IL. and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. She is an author of two novels: The Greening of a Heart and Facing East. She lives, writes and gardens in NC. Visit her: Stephenyhoughtlin.com

A Mid-Modern Masterpiece: Remembering George Harrell’s Rocky Mount Legacy, S.S. Toler -The I. Jesse Dowdy Residence

One of Rocky Mount’s hidden gems and the most important surviving example of Mid-Modern residential architecture in town. But what makes this home truly special is the man who designed it, George Foster Harrell, FAIA; a nationally respected architect who spent his boyhood in Rocky Mount. Harrell spent his formative years in Rocky Mount, and … Continue reading A Mid-Modern Masterpiece: Remembering George Harrell’s Rocky Mount Legacy, S.S. Toler -The I. Jesse Dowdy Residence →

Faded But Not Forgotten: Rocky Mount’s Ghost Signs

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about ghost signs, and I doubt it will be the last. Something about them keeps calling me back. Maybe it’s the way they invite us to look closer at what we pass every day. Or maybe it's the quiet dignity with which they endure, fading but not forgotten. … Continue reading Faded But Not Forgotten: Rocky Mount’s Ghost Signs →

Honoring Our Heroes: 250 Years of the U.S. Army

This week, the United States Army celebrates 250 years of service to our nation, a milestone steeped in honor, sacrifice, and steadfast duty. From the Continental Army of 1775 to today’s modern force, the Army has stood as a guardian of freedom and a symbol of resilience. Here on Main Street, Rocky Mount, we proudly … Continue reading Honoring Our Heroes: 250 Years of the U.S. Army →

The Art of Gentle Wonder — A Personal Encounter with Naïve Illustration

https://youtu.be/rMwKSdynmls?si=OedONtN3LceQZhU7 Experience the Charm for Yourself:Watch the opening animation from The Durrells of Corfu here. Here on Main Street, we often celebrate the ways beauty, craftsmanship, and storytelling shape our lives. Today, I want to share a small discovery that captured my imagination. It happened quietly A handful of hand-drawn hills, a sunlit sea, a … Continue reading The Art of Gentle Wonder — A Personal Encounter with Naïve Illustration →

The Power of Repurposing: Endless Possibilities

Repurposing historical commercial architecture along Main Street Rocky Mount is one of the most fascinating aspects of preservation. Preservation isn’t just about saving what was, it’s about imagining what could be. When we repurpose an old building, we’re not erasing its past, we’re extending its story. A repurposed structure becomes both a tribute to craftsmanship … Continue reading The Power of Repurposing: Endless Possibilities →