Historic Preservation

The Brooklyn-South Square historic district features a mix of larger, more embellished structures and smaller, more modest dwellings constructed in the latter half of the nineteenth century and first quarter of the twentieth century.

Though the district is now largely residential, the district was originally used for industrial purposes. The first building erected within the current boundaries of the district was a cotton mill. The mill was built in 1830 on East Bank Street. The cotton mill was operation until the late 1850’s and completely vacant before the start of the Civil War. During the Civil War, the building was repurposed as a prison for captured Union soldiers. The prison was closed before the end of the war and completely destroyed by Union soldiers in 1865.

The Brooklyn-South Square historic district was built over a long period of time covering many changes in architectural tastes. Because of this, the district is a host to a wealth of architectural styles, such as Federal, Greek revival, Victorian, Bungalow, and Italianate styles.

The Brooklyn-South Square was designated in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Before the late twentieth century commercial development around West Innes Street, the Ellis Street Graded School district was part of the ring of residential development around Downtown Salisbury that was booming at the time due to Southern Railroad Company’s Spencer Shops and the expanding downtown area.

At the center of the district sits the Ellis Street Graded School building, which served the neighborhood as a core institution. The Ellis Street Graded School is Salisbury’s oldest educational facility and has served as a grade school, elementary school, and high school. Houses in the Ellis Street Graded School district are built in Bungalow, Tutor revival, and other revival styles. One of the most noticeable features of the district is the Shober Bridge. The wooden bridge stretches over the railroad tracks and was used by General Stoneman’s Raid as the crossing into Salisbury in April 1865.

The Ellis Street Graded School District was designated in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The North Main Street historic district stretches along both sides of North Main Street and some side streets from the Southern Railroad Co. tracks to the Salisbury-Spencer boundary. The district developed along with the Southern Railroad Company’s Spencer Shops in nearby Spencer and was once home to many railroad workers, from skilled workers to manager, local businessmen, and community leaders.

The three major architectural styles, late Victorian, Colonial Revival, and Bungalow, in the district are found in an array of interpretations. Many homes are situated on terraced yards raised from the street, allowing houses to be easily viewed from the street. The stone found in many foundations, retaining walls, porches, and landscapes came from the quarries around Salisbury, back when the industry was just beginning. The North Main Street district is primarily residential with some commercial areas that have developed between 12th and Midway Streets.

The North Main Street District was designated in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

The West Square district is the oldest designated historic district in Salisbury. The district represents the beginning of Salisbury’s ongoing preservation efforts. Many of Salisbury’s most prominent residents constructed their houses in the West Square district, so the district is home to many of the most grand, intricately designed houses in Salisbury.

The West Square district contains a wealth of architectural styles popular in the late-ninetieth and early-twentieth century, including Federal, Neo-Classical Revival, Greek revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Spanish Mission, and Craftsman. The West Square district is primarily residential, but does include a few commercial buildings on West Innes Street.

The Salisbury Historic District, which encompasses the West Square Local Historic District, was National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and extended in 1988, 1989, and 2000.

The Downtown local historic district contains the entire downtown core, including significant portions of the original Salisbury National Register Historic District and Salisbury Railroad Corridor district. Originally founded on the square, the intersection of Main and Innes Streets, Salisbury and its downtown began to emerge as a center of commerce with the coming of the railroad. The majority of downtown’s commercial architecture was built during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century boom.

Salisbury’s downtown is known nationally as a successful model for revitalization and economic development that focuses on the preservation of its history and historic architecture. Today downtown is still Salisbury’s governmental, commercial, cultural, and entertainment center.

The Salisbury Historic District, which encompasses the Downtown Local Historic District, was National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and extended in 1988, 1989, and 2000.