Clayton Historic District Listed in National Register

The Clayton Historic District has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service (NPS). Town officials have not yet been officially notified of the listing, but the announcement was made on the NPS website. The listing follows more than three years of research and preparation.

“This is great news,” said Clayton Mayor Jody McLeod. “Creation of the historic district shows the support of the Town in preserving our history through architecture and the use of our historic commercial and residential buildings.”

The Clayton Historic District, which includes portions of the downtown commercial district and residential neighborhoods north and south of the railroad, consists of 294 contributing buildings and structures and 109 non-contributing. The district is bounded by Mulberry Street, W Barnes Street, Mill Street, Lombard Street, and Blanche Street.

One of the tangible benefits for a property owner with a contributing building is the availability of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, a federal incentive program that is matched by the State of North Carolina.

“Historic preservation encourages reinvestment in existing neighborhoods which can enhance property values and the local tax base,” the Mayor said.

Contributing properties are a key to a historic district's historic connections, historic architectural qualities, or archaeological qualities. A property can be changed from non-contributing to contributing, and vice versa, if significant alterations take place. Historic buildings are an important element in a community’s quality of life, because those buildings provide the sense of community and identity that is necessary for sustainable economic growth.

A copy of the historic district nomination and map is available for review at the Hocutt Ellington Library at 100 S Church Street and in the Town Clerk’s office at The Clayton Center, 111 E Second Street. It may also be reviewed online at http://www.townofclaytonnc.org/. Click on “For Business” then “Downtown” then “Business Development” and then the link for Clayton Historic District “Final”.

For more information, please contact Downtown Development Coordinator, Bruce Naegelen at 553-1545 or via email at bnaegelen@townofclaytonnc.org.