Rocky Mount in Nash County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
J.J. Harper's Bookshop
Used and Rare Books
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 22, 2024
1. J.J. Harper's Bookshop Marker
Built in 1926 as Rocky Mount Savings and Trust
Designed by architect Franz Milburn
This building is a contributing structure in the
Central City National Register
Historic District of Rocky Mount
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.
Location. 35° 56.493′ N, 77° 47.754′ W. Marker is in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in Nash County. It is on Southwest Main Street south of Sunset Avenue (Business U.S. 64), on the right when traveling south. The marker is to the right of the front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 SW Main Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is 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: Douglas Franklin Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Thelonious Monk (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kay Kyser (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Thelonious Monk (approx. 0.2 miles away); The ACL 303 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Miss Anna Easter Brown (approx. 0.3 miles away); This Bell (approx. 0.4 miles away); Harold Bascom Durham, Jr. (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rocky Mount.
More about this marker. The building
this page online
Regarding J.J. Harper's Bookshop. Excerpts from the Rocky Mount Central City Historic District:
As the economic base of the town broadened, more financial institutions were established. The First National Bank, Planters Bank, and Rocky Mount Savings and Trust Company were all founded before 1908.
The rapidly growing populatin and increased industrial and commercial activity gave Rocky Mount the title of "North Caroling's fastest growing city," and by 1907 Rocky Mount received its city character...
142 S. W. Main Street. c. 1925 Two story masonry bank building. Stone veneered faηade in Beaux Art style. Designed by Millburn & Heister of Washington, D.C. Constructed by D. J. Rose.
Also see . . . Rocky Mount Central City Historic District Nomination Form (pdf). Form prepared by Kate Ohno, Consultant, North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1980 (Submitted on March 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina.)
Photographed by Mark Parker, July 22, 2024
2. Full view of Rocky Mount Savings, later Harper's Bookshop
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
