HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE OF FLETCHER, NC

A SURVEY OF THE PASTREFLECTS THE FUTURE

Architectural Survey

Survey of historic sites in Henderson County undertaken in 1979 – 1980 Funded in part by state and federal grants Over 400 buildings and sites recorded

Only 22 buildings in Fletcher documented Buildings dating after 1930 largely ignored

Draft of publication begun, but never completed or published

Certified Historic Buildings

Fletcher landmarks listed on National Register of Historic Places:

The Meadows (circa late-1850’s) Listed on NR 1980

Rugby Grange (circa late-1850’s) Listed on NR 1980

Rugby Grange

Circa 1850’s“Italian Villa” style popular in mid-19th

century architectural treatisesConstructed of stone from Burney Mountain

Italian Villa Style

Style popular in mid-19th

century architectural treatisesDesign for a “Suburban Cottage” from A. J. Downing’s The Architecture of Country Houses, published 1850

Certified Historic Buildings

Determination of Eligibility by FHwA (under Section 106):

Calvary Episcopal Church (circa 1859, 1935) DOE 1995

Calvary Episcopal Church Rectory (circa 1885) DOE 1995 Demolished for construction of Ingles

Calvary Episcopal Church

Circa 1859“Gothic Revival” style popular in mid-19th

centuryRebuilt after fire in 1935Tower originalBrick construction

Eligible Historic Buildings

Fletcher landmarks placed on National Register Study List:

Merrimon-Russell House (circa 1845) Placed on NRSL 1979 Never listed on NR Re-evaluation would be required

Merrimon-Russell House

Circa 1845Vernacular “Greek Revival” style popular in mid-19th

centuryFrame constructionStone / brick chimneys

Heritage of stone construction

Rugby Grange (1850’s)The Meadows (1850’s)The Knoll (1870)Calvary Episcopal Church Rectory (1886)R. B. Blake House (1898)

Rugby Grange

Circa 1850’s“Italian Villa” style popular in mid-19th

century architectural treatisesConstructed of stone from Burney Mountain

The Knoll

Circa 1870“Italian Villa” styleStone construction20th century alterations

Calvary Church Rectory

Circa 1886“Italian Villa” styleStone constructionDemolished for commercial development

R. B. Blake House

Circa 1898“Arts & Crafts” stylePossibly Richard Sharp Smith design?Stone construction

Heritage of brick construction

Calvary Episcopal Church (1869)Dr. G. W. Fletcher House (late 1800’s)Rugby Brick House (late 1800’s)Fletcher Brick Works Kiln (circa 1910)Fletcher Commercial District (early 1900’s)

Rugby Brick House

Late 1800’sVernacular “I-house”Kitchen “L” originalBrick construction

Fletcher Brick Works Kiln

Circa 1910Beehive-style kilnOriginally coal firedShould be considered as one of most historically significant structures in Fletcher

Fletcher Commercial District

Early 20th

century brick commercial buildingsRepresents commercial growth of areaDemolished for US 25 widening

Fletcher Commercial District

Fletcher Supply Co.Early 20th

century brick commercial buildingPivotal building in “downtown” Fletcher

Heritage of log construction:

Frady Log Barn (circa 1890)Lance Log Barn (circa 1920)

Frady Log Barn

Circa 1890Log constructionHalf dovetail jointsFrame additions

Heritage of Frame Construction:

Merrimon-Russell House (circa 1845)Old Tavern (Fletcher House) (mid-1800’s)Frady House (circa 1890)Rutledge-Weston House (circa 1892)W. E. Poteat House (early 1900’s)James Lance House (circa 1905)Green House (early 1900’s)Houses (early 1900’s)

Old Tavern (Fletcher House)

Mid 1800’sFrame constructionPhoto from 1930’s

Poteat House

Early 1900’s“Queen Anne / Colonial Revival” style popular at turn of century

James Lance House

Circa 1905Vernacular styleTypical form throughout 19th century for rural houses

Green House

Early 1900’s“Colonial Revival / Shingle Style”Exemplifies summer home architecture for region

National Register Criteria

What makes a building historically significant?

Quality of Significance in: American History Architecture Archaeology Culture

National Register Criteria

Building or Site Possess Integrity of: Location Design Setting Materials Workmanship Feeling Association

National Register Criteria

Criterion A Associated with events that have made

significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or…

Criterion B Associated with the lives of person significant

in our past; or…

National Register Criteria

Criterion C Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period,

or method of construction Represent the work of a master Posses high artistic values Represent a significant and distinguishable entity

whose components may lack individual distinction; or…

Criterion D Have yielded, or may be likely to yield information

important in prehistory or history

Define Preservation Terms

PreservationRehabilitationRestorationReconstruction

National Park Service Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties (1992)

Preservation

The act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property. Protection and stabilization Maintenance and repair Avoids extensive replacement and new

construction

Rehabilitation

The act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values. Sympathetic changes Follows Secretary’s Standards

Restoration

The act or process of accurately depicting the form, features, and character of a property as is appeared at a particular period of time by means of the removal of features from other periods in its history and reconstruction of missing features from the restoration period. Usually limited to historic museum buildings Very small proportion of preservation work

Reconstruction

The act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location. Usually limited to historic museum buildings Typically combined with restoration work

Future of Preservation in Fletcher

Architectural survey must be completed Confirm status of buildings in earlier survey Include significant post-WWII buildings Seek out available funding

Publish architectural survey Document social history of Fletcher Document architectural history as it relates to

social history

Future of Preservation in Fletcher

Documentation of National Register eligible buildings Submit NR Study List applications for select surveyed

buildings Pursue NR nominations for significant buildings

Establishment of Historic Preservation Commission Designation and protection of landmarks Designation of local districts

Preservation and Architecture

What is the “architectural character” of Fletcher? Defined in part by its built heritage

Surviving as well as no longer extant Stylistic influences

High style (national trends) Regional and local vernacular

Materials of construction Local and traditional

Preservation and Architecture

Defining the new built environment New town center of Fletcher

Planning Architectural style Building materials

Commercial development along US 25 Development regulations Architectural review