Agenda - 08-25-1997 - C2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commercial Architecture Country stores were focal points of rural community life into the twentieth century, extending credit,selling and trading merchandise,and serving as casual meeting places. However,with the coming of the automobile and greater access to urban centers,their eminence faded and many stores were abandoned and later disappeared. But some remained open for business, filling a more modest commercial niche as local groceries and gas stations. The Allison-Oliver-Pender Store(16)at Cedar Grove is one of the best examples of these survivors. This two-story weatherboard building dates to the and befitting its early prominence,the store has a dignified classical facade, featuring heavily molded cornice returns and flush boards in the front- facing gable. A hip-roofed porch with original chamfered posts covers the center doorway and the large sash windows on either side. Like the exterior,the inside is remarkably intact,with wooden shelving and glass display cases arranged along the side walls. The Alan A. Ellis Store(12) is another fine example of the crossroads country store with its flat roof, bracketed cornice and large triple-grouped display windows flanking a central entrance. Historical Background and Criterion A: Social History and Ethnic Heritage Cedar Grove's existence as a rural community can be traced to around 1828,when the community's first post office was established with Joseph Allison its Postmaster(Powell 1968, p.96&Councilman 1981). Throughout the nineteenth century it served as a commercial, social,and educational center for agricultural families in the vicinity. By 1850 Cedar Grove was a thriving community,and not only supported a private academy; but also a tanner,a coachmaker,a doctor, and three businesses including a drygoods store,a hardware store,and a grocer(Manufacturing Census 1850). Later in the nineteenth century,the community boasted a general store,a sawmill,a grist mill,a plug tobacco factory,two churches,a post office,a physician's office,a blacksmith,a coachmaker and several stylish residences(Carter and Peck 1993, p. 122 &Branson 1889, p.499&Manufacturing Census 1850). Many of the currently standing homes or portions of them were erected in the late 1800s such as the T.L. Oliver House(22)and the John Tolar House(4)and the early wings of the John Paisley Hughes House(1), the Dr. Claude M. Hughes House(9),the McDade-Pender House(23),the Allen A. Ellis House(12),and the