Honoring the Past, Building a Future
When I look up at the Rocky Mount National Bank, I don’t just see architecture. I see a standard that still asks something of us, about stewardship, pride, and whether we believe our Main Street is worth the same care today. This Beaux Arts building was designed to do something specific. It was meant to … Continue reading An Invitation to See Main Street With Fresh Eyes
The New Year has a way of pressing a question upon us, whether we ask for it or not. After the holidays pass and the decorations come down, there is a pause, a moment when we ask, What’s next? Sitting on my bench, looking down Main Street, I ask a version of that same question: … Continue reading Happy New Year !!! The Quiet Work of What’s Next
A two-story brick commercial building was constructed circa 1917 for I. W. Rose. It housed Rose Drug Store and remained in operation in that location at least through 1980, making it one of the longest continuously operating drugstores in Rocky Mount’s Central Business District. Built by contractor R. T. Fountain, the structure reflected the optimism … Continue reading The Dentist Upstairs: Circa 1917 – #2
This morning, I looked at this gorgeous photograph of a green craftsman bungalow, its symmetry softened by shrubs, its porch pots blooming., I purred like a kitten. The reaction was instant and familiar. I have a grand passion for bungalows, one that never fades no matter how often I've written about them or pass one … Continue reading From Rocky Mount NC: A Love Letter to the American Bungalow
I love Rocky Mount Mills. (Everything but the stickers on the water tank that are tacky.) I admire all the wonderful people involved, from the owners to a lovely young waitress that brings your food. Check out this post I wrote on The Battle Family. https://mainstreetrockymount.com/2015/08/26/a-family-leaves-a-legacy-the-battle-family/ The preservation, restoration, repurposing, landscaping, atmosphere, businesses, the whole … Continue reading William West, Telegram Staff Writer, Brings Good News
In creating the Main Street blog, I have written about the value of historic shotgun houses, highlighting their cultural significance, architectural charm, and place in our city’s history. Now, it is time to turn words into action. Rocky Mount’s inventory of shotgun houses is dwindling, and without immediate intervention, we risk losing an essential part … Continue reading Preserving Rocky Mount’s Shotgun Houses: A Call to Action
Main Street Rocky Mount 