Greer, R.T., and Company Root and Herb Warehouse
Why it's listed
Built around 1918 on an open lot beside Railroad Grade Road in Todd, Ashe County, this two-story timber-framed warehouse was used to store and bale crude herbs and roots for shipment by rail. Its rectangular plan has a shed-roofed addition along the south side, added in the 1940s, and a brick pier foundation. Inside, a single row of posts supports an open floor, and a square opening in the second floor once carried herbs down to a baling apparatus near a freight door. The building belonged to R. T. Greer and Company, which became one of the largest dealers in crude botanicals in the United States. The company's branch here closed in 1945, and the nomination regards the building as one of the few surviving structures linked to the regional herb trade of the Blue Ridge. Its interior retains exposed framing and worn wood floors, which the nomination describes as a high level of integrity.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the warehouse is one of the few surviving buildings associated with the regional root and herb industry in western North Carolina. It is tied to the Greer Company, described as a major dealer in crude botanicals, and its branch operated until 1945. The building is also presented as a rare surviving herb warehouse in the region.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03000269, listed April 18, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7181 Railroad Grade Rd., jct. of Todd Railrad Grad Rd. at Cranbery Springs rd., Todd |
|---|---|
| County | Ashe County |
| Listed | April 18, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000269 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1918-1945 |
| Architectural style | No Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 36.27872, -81.55376 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03000269.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18151092
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.