Though Hickory's beginnings can be traced back to the construction of a tavern in the late-eighteenth century, the major catalyst for Hickory's growth and development was the completion of the Western North Carolina Railroad (WNCRR) in 1860. Companies such as the Piedmont Wagon Company, which relied on the WNCRR and the Chester and Lenoir railroad constructed in the late-nineteenth century to conduct business, helped Hickory establish itself as a major trading center and an economic force to be reckoned with. From April 30, 1886, to August 31, 1894, the WNCRR was leased and operated by the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company. When the company foreclosed on the station, the Southern Railway Company took over operations.The original depot was replaced in 1912, when the Southern Railway Company constructed the extant depot. The station traded hands again in 1982, when the rights were conveyed to the Norfolk Southern Railway Co. The depot is no longer connected to railroad operations but remains historically important, as it reflect the growth and development of Hickory from a small tavern town to a bustling trading center in the late-nineteenth century.After a period of dormancy, the station was repurposed and opened to the public as the Olde Hickory Station on June 18th, 2013. The Station features a restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, and a store that sells seasonal, regional and imported specialties.

This video offers a view of the historic downtown district of Hickory and the Olde Hickory Station.

Video

The Olde Hickory Station was originally constructed by the Western North Carolina Railroad in 1860. The construction of the railroad and the establishment of successful businesses that relied on the railroad helped Hickory establish itself as a major trading center through the late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. When the Western North Carolina Railroad foreclosed on the station, the Southern Railway Company took over operations in 1894 and constructed a new depot in 1912. The station traded hands again in 1982, when the station was conveyed to the Norfolk Southern Railway Co. Though the station is no longer connected to railroad operations, the building was repurposed in 2013 as the Olde Hickory Station, which features a restaurant and market that is open seven days a week. 

Olde Hickory Station

Please enjoy this tour of Hickory's historic downtown district, which begins at the the site where the first building in the town was constructed and features other historic sites and buildings. The tour ends at the SALT Block, which offers exhibits on local art.

The small tavern that would later be known as the Hickory Tavern was first constructed in the late-eighteenth century and operated by John Bradburn. The tavern served guests who were travelling on the major east-west road that led through Catawba and was reportedly renamed the "Hickory Tavern" in the eighteenth century for its proximity to large hickory trees. Though the tavern was the first building constructed in what is now known as Hickory, the town would not be incorporated as a city until 1889. Previously, a charter designated the corporate limits of of one square mile centered around the railroad depot in 1863, and the town was named after the popular tavern at this time. The town would retain this name until 1873, when a second charter was ratified and the town's name was changed to Hickory. The tavern was surrounded by small family farms with the oldest known surviving farm being that of the Hawn Family.The catalyst for the growth of Hickory in the mid-nineteenth century was the completion of the Western North Carolina Railroad in 1860 (renamed the Southern Railway in 1894), which sparked the development of a trading center in downtown Hickory. The train reached the tavern site, but the tavern was destroyed in the 1870s to allow for new brick stores to be constructed by the railroad.Though the original tavern no longer stands, the Tavern Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution sponsored and erected the Old Hickory Tavern Monument in 1960. The monument faces the original location of the tavern. The large stone and masonry chimney with a massive lentil and large open hearth was designed to feature a crumbling appearance that looks as if it was taken from the old tavern. Additionally, the monument replicates the design of the old tavern's chimney. In front of the chimney is a grinding stone from an old mill. Today, the monument pays tribute to Hickory's humble beginnings from a small tavern town in the late-eighteenth century to a booming trading center from the late-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries.

The Hickory Tavern Monument was built to commemorate the log tavern built in the late-eighteenth century, which was the earliest building to be located in Hickory. The tavern, eventually known as the Hickory Tavern, was originally operated by John Bradburn. When the town of Hickory was first established in 1863, the town was named the Hickory Tavern after the oldest building in town. The original tavern was destroyed in the 1870s, but this monument, sponsored and erected by the Hickory Tavern Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1960, faces the original location of the tavern and honors the humble beginnings of the town of Hickory.

The Old Hickory Tavern Monument

Clement Geitner was born in 1825 as a native of the Moravian village of Lititz, Pennsylvania, where he worked as a tanner. In 1881, he decided to move his tannery to Hickory, drawn by the town's need for a tannery and ample supply of labor and oak trees. Geitner and his wife, Frances Royer Geitner, purchased a town lot from Isaac A. Hartsell, a former mayor of Hickory, for $800 dollars, where he constructed the two-story Geitner House for his family. The home is notable for being the first brick house in the northwest neighborhood and one of the first brick buildings to be constructed in the town. The Geitner’s brought three of their seven kids to North Carolina with them: Charles, Mary, and Ellen. Two of the seven children had died prior to the move. In 1882, the other two children, Emma, who stayed behind to finish her schooling, and George Harvey Geitner, moved to Hickory to be with their parents.The Geitner’s arrived in town right when Hickory was establishing itself as a major trading center, and the tannery played a part in the town’s successful evolution. However, the lack of a bank hindered the potential for growth. By 1891, however, the First National Bank of Hickory was founded; Clement Geitner served on the board of directors, and became a well-known member of the community. Though he passed away in 1908, his impact lasted beyond his years, as his children held prestigious positions and were seen as pillars of the community.Charles, who was elected as mayor from 1913 to 1914, served on the board of directors for the First National Bank of Hickory and operated his father’s tannery until 1930, when it was closed to the public. George also served a term as mayor and was a member on the First National Bank of Hickory’s board of directors; he also held interest in successful local businesses, such as the Piedmont Wagon Company, and was appointed as a trustee of the Appalachian State Teacher’s College, which is now known as Appalachian State University. Likewise, Mary, who was bequeathed the family home upon Clement’s death, founded the Traveler’s Club, was a member of the Hickory Book Club, and worked for the American Red Cross during World War I.When Mary passed away in 1930, George became the owner of the family home. He did not live in the home and instead sold the building in 1938, when the American Legion gas company purchased the home and used it as their headquarters. In 1962, the building was sold to the Piedmont Gas Company. Though the building was occupied for so long by these businesses, the historical integrity of the home was well preserved. Today, the building houses the business Jenny’s Gifts and Accessories.The Geitner House's primary historical significance comes from its association with the Geitner family, and the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Although no longer associated with the house, the Geitner family continues as an important family in present day Hickory.

Originally constructed in 1882, the Clement Geitner House was the first brick house in its northwest Hickory neighborhood and one of the first in the city.  The Geitner family operated a tannery and established themselves as major figures in the economic growth of Hickory during the late-nineteenth century. The primary historical significance of this building comes from its association with the Geitner family. Although no longer associated with the house, the Geitner family continues as an important family in present day Hickory. Additionally, beginning in 1938, the home was used by the American Legion and, in 1962, by the Piedmont Natural Gas Company. Today, the building houses the business Jenny's Gifts and Accessories.

Clement Geitner House/Jenny's Gifts and Accessories

Following the completion of the Western North Carolina Railroad in the 1860s and the success of the Piedmont Wagon Company in the 1880s, Hickory rapidly began to develop in the late-nineteenth century. As more residents came to the town and more educational facilities were constructed, the town's first library service, a rental library, began operation in 1893 to meet the growing needs of the town. The rental library lacked a permanent space, though it frequently was set up on Union Square, and was operated by volunteers. The rental books were purchased by a group of townspeople, and the additional funding came from contributions and a series of ice cream suppers and theatricals.By 1907, the Hickory Library Association was formed, which actively worked to create a permanent home for the library, and membership fees for the association helped fund the purchase of additional books. Under the leadership of Mrs. J. Worth Elliott (née Lillie Mosse Burns), the Association started a movement to secure funding from the Carnegie Foundation in 1916, and, when the grant was approved, the Association received $14,000. This was the last building of 2,507 facilities to receive a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. After raising $3,000 additional dollars, some of which came from a pageant event, construction of the Elliott-Carnegie Library began, which was superintended by former city manager R. G. Henry. The small, one-story building was constructed in the Colonial revival style. The library was officially opened on August 14th, 1922.The library grew in popularity, and circulation reached 72,668 volumes in 1937, which reflected the need for cheap entertainment during the depression and an increase in the local literacy rate following the 1903 charter that established the public education system of Hickory. Due to the small size of the library, the growth of the book collection was restricted until the Elbert A. Ivey Library was constructed in 1952, which offered significantly more shelf space. In the same year, the Elliott-Carnegie Library was sold to the Catawba Valley Broadcasting Company and the building became the studio of station WHKY, which moved out in 1969. Inform Properties Inc. purchased the building in 1970 and used the building to house the company's advertising and public relations firm.On March 15th, 1985, the Elliott-Carnegie Library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for reflecting the cultural and educational maturation of Hickory during the early part of the twentieth century.

The one-story Elliott-Carnegie Library was constructed in 1922 to replace a rental library, which opened in 1893, that was operated by volunteers. The rental library did not have a permanent location and was operated in multiple locations. Mrs. J. Worth Elliott of the Hickory Library Association, formed in 1907, started a movement in 1916 to gain funding from the Carnegie Foundation to construct a permanent library in the town. This building is notable for being the last of 2,507 facilities to receive a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. In 1952, the Elliott-Carnegie Library was superseded by the Elbert A. Ivey Library due to a lack of shelf space. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 for reflecting the cultural and educational maturation of Hickory during the early part of the twentieth century.

Elliott-Carnegie Library

Charles Christian Hook, one of the most prominent North Carolinian architects of the early twentieth century, began planning the design of the municipal building in 1919, with construction taking place from 1920-21. It was designed in the Classical Revival style, with such features as the front-facing portico. Between the fall of 1921 and February 15th, 1977, the city's administrative offices were located in the building, and this time frame correlates with the waxing and waning of the economic power of the historic commercial district of Hickory, NC. For example, by 1968, the Catawba Mall opened down US 70, which resulted in less commercial activity in downtown Hickory.The building also housed the fire department, which utilized all three floors in the northwest corner, the jail, with a maximum capacity of 22 prisoners, and police department, which was housed on the first two floors in the southeast corner. Starting in 1949, the building was also utilized by the Hickory Community Theatre. Previously, in 1947, Buddy Deal, a college student and touring actor, planted the seeds of what would ultimately become the Hickory Community Theatre, which held its first performance on May 24, 1949, in the Hickory City Auditorium within the municipal building. The auditorium was designed with a seating capacity of 1,160, and there are 343 lights on when the auditorium is fully lit. When the administrative offices moved, the Hickory Community Theatre shared the building with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments; however, by 1987, the Hickory Community Theatre became the sole occupant of the building.Between 1984 to 1987, the theatre consulted architect Craig M. Copper to create renovation plans for the auditorium, dressing rooms, and stage. The electrical and mechanical systems were also improved. In 2013, a second wave of major renovations began that would restore the original box office, the Fireman's kitchen, and bathrooms.The building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 18th, 2000, for being deemed architecturally and politically significant. Today, the building is still solely occupied and utilized by the Hickory Community Theatre as a performance space.

Originally constructed between 1920 and 1921, this building is situated on the west edge of Hickory's historic commercial district. The building housed the city's administrative offices from 1921 to 1977, when these offices were relocated to the current municipal building. Since 1947, the municipal building has also been utilized by the Hickory Community Theatre, who renovated the building from 1984-87 and in 2013, when major renovations to restore significant sections of the building began. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 18th, 2000, for its architectural and political significance. Today, the building is still utilized by the Hickory Community Theatre as a performance space.

Hickory Municipal Building/Hickory Community Theatre

In 1873, three years after the town of Hickory was incorporated, a small mission of 15 members called Gibbs' Mission was founded and named after Reverend G. M. Gibbs, who ministered at multiple churches in the area. Having no church of their own, the mission met in a local Methodist church until 1878, when the Gibbs' Mission group constructed their first church, which was called Hickory Presbyterian Church. The congregation continued to grow under the guidance of reverends Thomas Thurston, who ministered from 1879-1884, and Colin Monroe, who ministered from 1885-1891. By 1891, the church was able to afford a full-time pastor, and Reverend James Alston Ramsey, D. D., was hired. In the same year, the first manse was constructed and the Woman's Missionary Society was formed.When Dr. Ramsay passed away from pneumonia on January 11th, 1900, Reverend W. T. Matthews became the minister for the church, a position he would hold until 1903. During his time at the church, Matthews purchased a lot that would be used in the construction of a new sanctuary farther away from the train tracks. Reverend C. W. Trawick took over for Matthews and oversaw the completion of the current sanctuary, which was dedicated on December 2nd, 1906. The Bowman Brothers architectural firm located in Knoxville, Tennessee, drew the plans for the new building. When Trawick's stint at the church ended in 1907, John G. Garth's pastorate began, which lasted until 1918. It was under Garth that original manse was sold and a new manse was constructed and a pipe organ was purchased.The longest pastorate of the church's history was that of Reverend John Richard Hays, D.D., who led the church from 1927-1952. Hays oversaw the construction of a three-story educational building in 1928 and the complete remodel of the church in 1949. Even after Hays' time with the church, the church continued to grow; a second educational building was constructed in 1957, and, in 1958, the church was one of five churches chosen by the Presbyterian United States Board of Christian Education to take part in a three year "Covenant Church Life" curriculum, which became the official educational curriculum of the Presbyterian faith from 1963-1978. Additionally, a new manse was purchased in 1962, and the sanctuary was air conditioned in 1967. The First Presbyterian Church is notable for remaining close to the downtown area, as other churches have moved closer to the edge of town, and for paralleling the growth and development of Hickory, NC, from a small tavern town to the strong industrial force of the twentieth-century. Today, the First Presbyterian Church still serves as a place of worship.On March 15th, 1985, the First Presbyterian Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places for reflecting the growth of religious practices and development of religious spaces in Hickory, NC, and for being a well-preserved example of a Romanesque Revival-style church in the local area, as the exterior is relatively unchanged from initial construction. Two of the most striking features of the church are the gable roof with boxed and molded cornice and overhanging modillioned eaves and the Belgian block veneer.

Three years after Hickory was incorporated, a small mission consisting of 15 members was founded, which would ultimately become the First Presbyterian Church. The original sanctuary, known as the Hickory Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1878 and was replaced by the current Romanesque Revival-style church in 1906, then known as the First Presbyterian Church. As the congregation continued to grow, new buildings were constructed and renovations were made throughout the twentieth-century, though the exterior remains relatively unchanged, and the church is still used today. On March 15th, 1985, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places for being a well-preserved example of a Romanesque Revival-style church in the area and for its contribution to the growth and development of religion and religious spaces in Hickory, NC.

First Presbyterian Church

Daniel Webster Schuler, who constructed the Harper House in 1887, was born in Michigan on December 28th, 1850. When he moved to Hickory, he founded the town's first bank, but he passed away on August 14th, 1890, at the young age of 39 and was buried in his home state. Following Schuler's death, the Thornton family resided in the building from 1892 to 1916. Colonel Marcellus E. Thornton, who was a former lawyer, an entrepreneur with the Thornton Light &amp; Power Company, a newspaper editor, and the author of The Lady of New Orleans, married the widow Elizabeth Thornton (née Elizabeth Camp). After the Thornton's tenure at the home, the house was obtained by Mrs. Minnie C. Taylor, who sold the building in 1923 to Finley Gwyn Harper, Sr. (1880-1951), the operator of the local Harper Motor Company. The Harper family retained the house until 2000, when Finley Harper's step-daughter Mary Banks and his grandchildren Anne McPherson Harper Bernhardt, Lee Corinne Harper Vason, Mary Gwyn Harper Addison, and Betty Banks Harper Shelander arranged for the Historical Association of Catawba County (HACC) to acquire the building.The HACC organized a preservation project and raised $2,000,000 dollars to restore the home to its original grandeur, and the home is now open to visitors as a house museum, with tours being offered on Thursdays through Saturdays between 10 A.M. until 3 P.M on the hour. The home is notable for showcasing what the North Carolina Department of Archives and History claims is the "the finest Queen Anne interior styling in the entire state," and the fish scale shingles, Tudor style woodworking on the top of the building, the side tower, roughcast colored glass and stones to make the house shine in the sunlight, spindled porch railings, and original stained glass are additional features that distinguish the house as an important, well-preserved example of Queen Anne-style architecture in Hickory. Visitors who take one of the guided tours are offered the chance to step back in time and to see not only a glimpse of Hickory's history, but that of Victorian life in the south during the late-nineteenth century.Additionally, the Bonniwell-Lyerly House, which was originally constructed in 1912 in the Craftsman style, was moved two blocks in 2004 to be on the same lot as the Harper House and now serves as the Hickory History Center, which features a conference facility, the Betty Allen Education Center, and the Margaret Huggins Gallery. The building was originally constructed by George C. Bonniwell, who came to Hickory in 1878 from Philadelphia, where he had served as an engineer for the National Centennial Exposition, and who was an architect, engineer, and builder, and co-founder of the local Piedmont Wagon Company. His daughter Josephine, who painted the oak tree border in the home's dining room and who helped establish the Hickory Museum of Art, and her husband, Eubert Lyerly, who was the mayor of Hickory, owner and president of Elliott Knitting Mills, and president of Clay Printing Company, were the first residents of the home, and the building remained in the family until 2004, when the Lyerly family arranged for the HACC to acquire the building for preservation. Both the Harper House and Lyerly home reflect Hickory's rich history and larger architectural trends in the late-nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries.

The Harper House was constructed in 1887 by Daniel Webster Schuler,  who founded Hickory's first bank. Seven families resided in the home, but it is commonly known as the Harper House because the residents who lived in the dwelling the longest, the Harper family, resided in the building from 1923 until 2000, when the family arranged for the acquisition of the building to the Historical Association of Catawba County (HACC). The HACC organized a preservation project and raised $2,000,000 dollars for restorations. Today, the Harper House is open to visitors as a house museum that reflects Hickory's history and Victorian life in the south during the late-nineteenth century. Additionally, the Lyerly House, originally constructed in 1912 and on the same lot as the Harper House, was restored and marked for preservation in 2004 and now serves as the Hickory History Center, which features a conference facility, the Betty Allen Education Center, and the Margaret Huggins Gallery

Harper House/Hickory History Center

The SALT Block building was originally constructed in 1927 and housed the Claremont Central High School, which was later renamed Hickory High School in the 1940s. The school was relocated to its current location at 1234 3rd St. NE in 1972. In 1986, the building was repurposed for the SALT Block Foundation. SALTBLOCK is an acronym that stands for Catawba Science Center, Hickory ChorAl Society, FinaciaL, Hickory Museum of ArT. Backing, United Arts CounciL of Catawba County, Western PiedmOnt Symphony, Covers Facility, and UpKeep. Additionally, SALT is a second acronym that stands for Science, Arts, and Literature Together, which reflects the aim of the SALT Block campus to offer programs, exhibits, and activities related to a plethora of disciplines to intrigue and inspire visitors and local youth. Additionally, though it is not contained in the acronym, the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is located on the same block.Catawba Science CenterOriginally opened in 1975 as the Creative Museum for Youth in the historic John Cilley house, a 4,000 sq. ft. Victorian-era structure, it was renamed as the Catawba Science Center in 1978 and moved to the SALT Block building in 1986. Today, the museum features The Millholland Planetarium, salt and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a series of revolving exhibits.Hickory Choral SocietyThe Choral Society was originally formed in 1978. Today, the group of approximately 100 singers meets in the SALT Block to rehearse for performances that are held throughout the year in the local area.Hickory Museum of ArtThe Museum of Art is the second oldest museum in North Carolina. It was founded in 1944 by Paul Whitener, who, after being convinced by his wife, Mildred "Mickey" Whitener Coe, took up painting as a hobby and wanted to make Hickory a cultural mecca. The museum was moved to the SALT Block in 1986, and it offers several revolving exhibits and permanent exhibits on nineteenth through twenty-first century American art along with local folk art. The Museum’s collection of over 1,500 works includes Hudson River Valley paintings, Art glass and pottery, works by North Carolina artists, and regional folk art. Additionally, every year, the museum hosts the Paul Whitener Memorial School Art Show, which showcases local students' artwork and encourages the students to be creative.United Arts Council of Catawba CountyOriginally formed as the Hickory Arts Council in 1960 and renamed the Catawba County Council for the Arts in 1979, the United Arts Council of Catawba County would not receive its current name until 2006. Every year, the United Arts Council conducts a United Arts Fund campaign, which provides funds for affiliated organizations and grants for individual artists and other organizations. The aim of the council is to promote the sciences, arts, and history and to provide educational opportunities for local youth.Western Piedmont SymphonyThe Western Piedmont Symphony was originally formed in 1964, and every season, the symphony performs for all public school students in the Greater Hickory Area. They rehearse and perform in the SALT Block Center. Additionally, the Western Piedmont Symphony is a member of the League of American Orchestras.

Originally constructed in 1927 to serve as the Hickory High School, this building was dramatically renovated in 1986 and became the home of the SALT Block. The acronym SALT stands for Sciences, Arts, and Literature Together, which reflects how the Foundation houses the Catawba Science Center, Hickory Choral Society, Hickory Museum of Art, United Arts Council and Western Piedmont Symphony. The Science Center features an aquarium, a planetarium, and a series of revolving exhibits; the Choral Society meets on Mondays to rehearse for performances; the Museum of Art features work from nineteenth through twenty-first century American artwork along with local folk art; the United Arts Council raises funds for affiliated organizations; and the Western Piedmont Symphony meets in the building to practice and perform in the building.

Hickory's Historic Downtown District Walking Tour

Olde Hickory Station

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information