Nissen, S.J., Building
Also known as: S.J. Nissen Carriage Repository and Repair Shop; S.J. Nissen Co. Wagonworks
Why it's listed
Built in 1895 by the wagon maker S. J. Nissen on a corner lot between two railroad lines in Winston, this three-story brick building with two basements is an example of Romanesque Revival industrial design. Its two crenellated towers, one at the northwest corner and one on the façade, and its rows of round-arched windows give it a fortress-like look that the nomination says sets it apart from other industrial buildings in the city. Nissen used the building as a wagon works and carriage repository, and for more than two decades his business served the tobacco manufacturers nearby, repairing the wagons that carried leaf tobacco to factories. The property is significant as one of the few surviving nineteenth-century buildings linked to the wagon industry that supported Winston-Salem's economy. Nissen sold it in 1929, when trucks had replaced wagons. Later occupants included Kester Machinery Company, which built the south addition in 1953.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is locally significant under Criterion A as one of the few surviving nineteenth-century buildings tied to the wagon industry that supported Winston-Salem's tobacco trade. It also argues under Criterion C that its crenellated towers and rhythmic round-arched windows make it architecturally distinctive among the city's industrial buildings.
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 07000820, listed August 16, 2007. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 310 E. Third St., Winston-Salem |
|---|---|
| County | Forsyth County |
| Listed | August 16, 2007 |
| Reference number | 07000820 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1895-1929 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a photography studio and residence by its present owners, according to the document. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 36.09801, -80.24027 (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 07000820.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19987309
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.