Mount Airy in Surry County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The J.D. Smith Building

Built between 1891-1896

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

1. The J.D. Smith Building Marker

Inscription. The J.D. Smith General Store was first built as a general store on the site of Smith's earlier wood frame store. Smith had seven children with his wife, Gertrude Gilmer Smith. Their eldest daughter, Gertrude, named after her mother, established the Gilmer Smith Foundation, leaving the family home, located at 615 North Main Street, to be preserved as a local historic museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.

Location. 36° 30.108′ N, 80° 36.499′ W. Marker is in Mount Airy, North Carolina, in Surry County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Oak Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. The marker is to the right of the business entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 N Main Street, Mount Airy NC 27030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is

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in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leonidas Harold "L.H." Jones (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whittler (within shouting distance of this marker); Carlos Jones Blue Ridge Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whittling Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Tommy Jarrell (within shouting distance of this marker); Fred Cockerham (within shouting distance of this marker); Ralph Epperson (within shouting distance of this marker); Donna Fargo (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Airy.

More about this marker. This building is a contributing building to the Mount Airy Historic District. The site currently houses Welcome Home Decor and Gifts.

The J.D. Smith Building entrance and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

2. The J.D. Smith Building entrance and marker

Full view of the J.D. Smith Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, December 30, 2024

3. Full view of the J.D. Smith Building

Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 1, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.