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Elkin district added to National Register of Historic Places

October 29th, 2007 · No Comments

The Gwyn Avenue neighborhood in Elkin, including parts of Millview Road and Spring, North Bridge and Church streets, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The long-sought recognition — work on the application began three years ago — may make tax credits available for renovation and restoration work. Being on the National Historic Register can enhance property values and stimulate tourism, too.

Elkin Main Street Manager Teresa Howell said the Gwyn Avenue district was one of the city’s first residential neighborhoods.

Gwyn Avenue resident Jeanna Snider told the Elkin Tribune that getting the area placed on the National Register helped generate a sense of a pride among home owners.

“It was really a way to clean up Gwyn Avenue in a sense,” Snider told the newspaper. “The town was worried about Gwyn Avenue’s future, and this was a way to do that and bring residents together.”

The town hired Laura Phillips to do the necessary research for the National Register. She studied 154 separate properties along Gwyn Avenue from North Bridge Street to East Market Street; on Spring Street west to the Church Street intersection; on Church Street from Market to North Bridge streets; and on North Bridge Street from Spring Street to just past Ridge Street.

Howell said being in a National Historic Register district means homeowners may qualify for a 30 percent tax credit on investments that protect their property’s historic value. She said homeowners must spend more than $25,000 on qualified renovations in a 24-month period and satisfy other legal requirements including preapproval of the renovation plans.

The Downtown Elkin Historic District, the former Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital building at 230 Hawthorne Road and the Richard Gwyn House at 350 W. Main St. already are listed on the National Register.

Nearly 20 buildings and districts throughout Surry County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tags: Construction · Economic development · Tourism

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