Wilkesboro in Wilkes County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

John Cranor House

Circa 1890

— Wilkesboro Historic Preservation Commission —

John Cranor House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022

1. John Cranor House Marker

Inscription.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 36° 9.006′ N, 81° 9.015′ W. Marker is in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in Wilkes County. It is on East Cowles Street (Route 208) east of Harding Hill Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 208 East Cowles Street, Wilkesboro NC 28697, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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: Brown-Cowles House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Gurney Talmadge & Julia Phillips Mitchell House

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(about 400 feet away); Thomas B. Finley Law Office (about 400 feet away); The Tory Oak (about 500 feet away); Somers-Foster House (about 500 feet away); Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church (about 500 feet away); Harvey Chambers' Upholstery Shop (about 600 feet away); Wilkes County Courthouse Annex (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilkesboro.

Regarding John Cranor House. Excerpt from the National Register of Historic Places nominations for the Downtown Wilkesboro Historic District, of which the Cranor House is a contributing building:

First owner of this two-story, frame, Queen Anne-style house was John Cranor, a Wilkesboro lawyer who served as Register of Deeds in 1879 and as state senator in 1893. Cranor’s son, John, was also an attorney and served as mayor of Wilkesboro for many years. Hayes Foster, a Wilkes County road contractor, and his family subsequently owned and occupied the house. Local attorney Joe O. Brewer, and wife, and Lillie Bryan Brewer owned and occupied the house for more than half a century. Joe Brewer served in the state General Assembly in the 1960's. In 2019, their son and daughter-in-law,
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 29, 2022

2. John Cranor House Marker
Greg and Lisa Brewer, purchased the home from the estate and still reside there. Greg Brewer is managing partner of a 4th generation law firm in Wilkesboro, Brewer & Brewer, PLLC. He served on both of Ronald Reagan's campaigns in 1980 and 1984, working in the Treasurer's Office and Legal Staff in Washington, D.C., and later at the White House.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 293 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on August 30, 2025, by Gregory Joseph Brewer of Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 15, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.