Banker's House
Why it's listed
Built in 1874-1875 at 319 North Lafayette Street in Shelby, the Banker's House is a two-and-one-half-story stuccoed brick residence in the Second Empire style. A square tower sits in the angle of its T-shaped plan, and the facade gives an impression of symmetry that the plan does not support. A slate mansard roof in floral patterns, decorated dormers, bay windows and bracketed porches carry the ornament. Inside, a long cantilevered stair rises through the hall. Outbuildings include a wellhouse, a brick service building and a frame stable. Jesse Jenkins, founder of Shelby's first bank, had the house built. Later owners included H. D. Lee and the Blanton family, who ran the successor banks, so the house has long been tied to the town's banking history. Architect G. S. H. Appleget may have designed it, based on similarities to two of his known works, though no documents survive. The house is regarded as one of the state's finest towered Second Empire houses.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it among the state's finest Second Empire houses, one of a small group distinguished by a central tower, notable for its proportions, deceptively asymmetrical plan and rich ornament. It has also been owned continuously by prominent Shelby bankers since it was built. Similarities to the Heck-Andrews House and the Cabarrus County Courthouse suggest architect G. S. H. Appleget may have designed it.
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 75001251, listed May 6, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 319 N. Lafayette St., Shelby |
|---|---|
| County | Cleveland County |
| Listed | May 6, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001251 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date ca. 1875) |
| Architect / builder | Possibly G. S. H. Appleget (designer, undocumented); built for Jesse Jenkins |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition and altered, on its original site, and used as a private residence; a 1910 renovation made minor changes. Outbuildings remain to the rear. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 35.29564, -81.53938 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 75001251.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4856252
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.