Saluda in Polk County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Thompson's Store

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

1. Thompson's Store Marker

Inscription.
This property
is listed in the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.

Location. 35° 14.165′ N, 82° 20.879′ W. Marker is in Saluda, North Carolina, in Polk County. Marker is on East Main Street (U.S. 176) west of Charles Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 E Main St, Saluda NC 28773, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Commercial Building (a few steps from this marker); (Former) United States Post Office (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Commercial Building (a few steps from this marker); E.B. 'Baty" Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Where the Foothills End & the Blue Ridge Begins (within shouting distance of this marker); Forever on Duty (within shouting distance of this marker); Saluda Grade (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); (Former) Saluda Depot (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saluda.

Regarding Thompson's Store.

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Excerpt from the National Register nomination for the Saluda Main Street Historic District, of which this is a contributing building:

For more than the last half century this mercantile establishment has been known as Thompson's Store, operated by Lola Thompson Ward and her sons. It was built about the time of the M. A. Pace Store and is identical to it in design. The earliest occupants are believed to have been Quinton C. Sonner and Billy Morris. According to Ward family tradition, Morris willed his part of the store to Miss Arrie Lankford, who ran the store for a time with Sonner. Lankford later sold her share in the store to H. L. Capps, and for a time he and Sonner continued joint operation of the business. They later dissolved their partnership, and each operated a store individually in half the building like Thompson and Pace had done down the street. In the 1930s Q. C. Sonner & Co. advertised groceries, hardware, dry goods, and notions, while H. L. Capps advertised groceries, hardware and paints, and fertilizers. Capps also served as mayor of Saluda and started the town cemetery. After Capps died, Lola Thompson Ward and her family, operating as Thompson's Store, took over Capps' left half of the building and later expanded to include Sonner's right half. Like the M. A. Pace Store, Thompson's Store is a handsome two-story brick structure with very few alterations.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 4, 2024

2. Thompson's Store Marker
The first story of the facade features a central door to the stairs flanked by shop windows and recessed shop entrances. An added metal canopy shelters the first story. The second story facade carries a row of segmental-arched one-over-one sash windows, above which is a decorative paneled and corbeled brick cornice. The exposed side and rear of the building also have segmental-arched fenestration. Inside, the store and adjacent grill maintain the atmosphere of a by-gone period, although the fixtures are generally newer than those in the M. A. Pace Store.

Also see . . .
1. Saluda Main Street Historic District (PDF). National Register nomination for the district, which was listed in 1996. (Prepared by Laura A. W. Phillips; via North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office) (Submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Historic Saluda. The City of Saluda Historical Committee's homepage has vintage photographs and postcards, oral histories, and other information about the historic town's past. (Submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.