Ferguson, J. T., Store
Also known as: Ferguson Store or Parker Electric Co.
Why it's listed
Two-story brick commercial building on Main Street at Broad Street in Wilkesboro, across from the Wilkes County Courthouse. Its facade of cast iron and pressed metal was manufactured by Mesker Brothers Front Builders of St. Louis in 1887, and the building is a rare regional example of the catalogue-ordered storefronts popular in the late nineteenth century. The second story and cornice retain their original detailing, with paired Corinthian colonettes, anthemion brackets, and a projecting modillioned cornice bearing the name J. T. Ferguson. The first story has been altered, though corner pilasters survive and the recessed central entrance and large shop windows give a similar effect. Jesse T. Ferguson, a Civil War veteran and county sheriff, operated the store with his relatives and served as mayor of Wilkesboro in 1892 and 1893. The building was later a dry goods store, then a printing shop, and it retains an old printing press in its basement.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the metal storefront is a lavish example of the late nineteenth century use of cast iron and pressed metal to create decorative facades. It is considered one of the most impressive structures on Main Street, and examples of this type are rare in this area of North Carolina. The metal front gives the building a more urban appearance than is typical for a town of Wilkesboro's size.
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 82003524, listed August 24, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 11 E. Main St., Wilkesboro |
|---|---|
| County | Wilkes County |
| Listed | August 24, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003524 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Mesker Bros. Front Builders, St. Louis |
| Architectural style | Classical and late Victorian details on a cast iron and pressed metal facade |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered: the first-story facade has been modified, with the interior ground-floor shop windows and most iron pilasters removed or changed, while the second story and cornice remain intact. The building was later used as an electric company shop. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District |
| Coordinates | 36.14828, -81.15098 (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 82003524.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20709200
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.