County's Historic Places and Landmarks

The Joint Historic Preservation Commission assists property owners in designating local historic landmarks.  As an advisory board to the Transylvania County Commissioners, the City of Brevard and the Town of Rosman it safeguards the heritage of the county by preserving properties of cultural, historical or architectural value.

The front porch of the stack-stone Adirondack style Brombacher House
on East Main St.  This property is individually listed as both a local and
national historic place and is part of the East Main Street Historic District.

The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program administered by the National Park Service in partnership with state governments to recognize and protect properties of historic and cultural significance.  National Register listing is primarily an honor and does not restrict a private owner unless the owners seeks a federal grant, tax credit or special permit.

While the Local Historic Landmark and National Register of Historic Places programs both recognize and protect historic properties they are two different programs. 

There are 20 properties in Transylvania County designated as Local Historic Landmarks.  There are also 20 individually listed Transylvania County properties on the National Register of Historic Places.  Nine properties currently receive both types of recognition.

The first floor fireplace on the Allison side of the Allison-Deaver House,
which is also on both lists.

In addition, Transylvania County has two historic districts which include multiple properties.  The Main Street Historic District in Brevard runs from England St. to Gaston St. and includes buildings in the Times Arcade Alley and on Caldwell, Jordan, Probart streets.  There are 31 contributing structures within the Main Street Historic District.

The East Main St. Historic District contains 36 public and residential buildings. The district encompasses East Main from Rice St. to Wilson Dr.

Over the next several weeks Picturing the Past will take a look at many of these historic properties beginning with the Main Street and East Main districts.

The Grogan House on Elm Bend is one of the properties designated
as a Local Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information on the role of the Joint Historic Preservation Commission contact Transylvania County Planning and Community Development.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.