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Town of Wilkesboro
Welcome to the town of Wilkesboro, where the mountains begin!
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      • Talking Trees Trail at Rendezvous Mtn.
      • Whippoorwill Academy & Village
      • Wilkesboro Music & Festivals
      • - - Concerts in the Commons
      • - - Movies on Main
      • - - Brushy Mtn. Peach & Heritage Festival
      • - - FaithFest
      • - - Merlefest
      • Wilkesboro Parks & Recreation
      • - - Cub Creek Park Pickleball Courts
      • - - Mountain Bike Trails
      • - - Community Commons & Pavilion Stage
      • - - Heritage Square Splash Pad
      • - - Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
      • - - Wilkesboro Campground
      • Wilkesboro Sundial
      • W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
      • Wilkes Co. Barn Quilt Trail
      • Wilkes Co. Birding Trails
      • Wilkes Heritage Museum
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      • Yadkin River Greenway
  • I Want To...
    • Apply...
      • Town Job
      • Committees/Boards Application
      • Police Permits
      Contact...
      • Employee or Dept.
      • Wilkes Resource Guide
      • Wilkes Senoir Resources
      • Federal or State Government
      Get...
      • Account Balance
      • ACH Authorization Form
      • Attraction Maps
      • Building Inspection
      • Directions to Wilkesboro
      • Directions to Police Department
      • Fire Inspection
      • Holiday Schedule
      • Police Report
      • Recycling Information
      • Town Forms
      • Utilities Turned On
      • Utilities Turned Off
      • Water Quality Report - middle of page
      Lookup...
      • Account Balance
      • Meeting Agendas & Minutes
      • Public Hearings
      • Schedule of Fees - FY 24-25
      • Transportation Options
      • Wilkesboro's Mapping / GIS
      • Wilkesboro's Ordinances
      Pay...
      • Civic Center Rental
      • Invoice
      • Parking Ticket
      • Town Taxes
      • Utility Bill
      Pickup...
      • Civic Center Key
      Report...
      • Report Missing Street Sign
      • Report Nuisance Animal
      • Report Pothole/Sidewalk Issue
      • Report Rollout Cart Problem
      • Report Street/Traffic Light Outage
      • Report Water/Sewer Problem
      • Report Other Issues/Problems
      Request...
      • Request Appointment
      • Request Civic Center Reservation
      • Request Fire Education Event
      • Request Utility Bill thru Email
      Schedule...
      • Bulky Item Collection
      • Electronics Recycling
      • Recycling Collection
      • Trash Collection
      • Yard Waste Collection
      • Schedule-Service Online
  • Town Government
    • Government
      • Local Government in NC
      • How NC Municipalities Work
      • Town's Form of Government
      • What is Powell Bill?
      • Town's Schedule of Fees 24-25
      • Town's Budgets & Audits
      • Town's Financial Dashboard
      • Town's Holiday Schedule
      • Town's Ordinances
      • Town's Organizational Chart
      • Title VI Civic Rights Act
      • 2019 ADA Transition Plan
      • 2021 ADA Transition Plan
      • 2025 ADA Transition Plan
      Wilkesboro's History
      • Population
      • Wilkesboro's History Overview
      • Tory Oak History
      • Wilkesboro's Cemetery Records
      • Wilkes Genealogical Society, Inc.
      • Wilkes Heritage Museum
      • History Links
      • Fire Chief History
      • Retired Firemen History
      • Police Chief History
      • Town Council & Clerk History
      Town Council
      • Meet Your Governing Board
      • Responsibilities
      • Code of Ethics
      • FAQ
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      ABC Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • ABC Webpage
      Cemetery Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      Historic Pres. Commission
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Landscape Planning & Review Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Parks & Recreation Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      Planning Board
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Zoning Board of Adjustments
      • Board Responsibilities
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      • Agenda & Minutes
      Friends of Wilkesboro Board
      • Board Members
      • Meeting Schedule
      Retired Firemen Board
      • Board Members
  • Departments
    • Administration
      • Dept. Overview
      Finance
      • Dept. Overview
      • Financial Dashboard
      • Accounts Payable
      • Cemetery Collections
      • Civic Center Rental
      • Beer/Wine License
      • Purchasing & Contracts
      • Taxes
      • Utility Billing
      Fire
      • Dept. Overview
      • Burning Permit
      • F.A.Q.
      • Fire Education Event
      • Fire Hydrant Testing
      • Fire Inspections
      • Fire Roster
      • How to Apply to FD
      • Meeting Schedule
      Parks & Recreation
      • Dept. Overview
      • Community Commons & Pavilion Stage
      • - - Heritage Square Splash Pad
      • Cub Creek Park
      • - - Community Garden
      • - - Hidden Oaks Dog Park
      • - - Mountain Bike Trails
      • - - Creek Restoration
      • Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
      • School Street Park
      • Westwood Park
      • Wilkesboro Campground
      Personnel & Payroll
      • Dept. Overview
      Planning & Community Development
      • Dept. Overview
      • Adopted Plans
      • Forms
      • Maps
      • Wilkesboro GIS
      • Wilkesboro's Ordinances
      • Public Hearings
      Police
      • Dept. Overview
      • Annual Reports
      • Citizen Police Academy
      • Comment/Complaint Section
      • Crime Data & Statistics
      • Get a Police Report
      • Directions to Police Station
      • Parking Tickets
      • Police Permits
      • Police Recruitment
      • Police Roster
      Public Works
      • Dept. Overview
      • Powell Bill
      • Public Buildings, Grounds & Streets
      • Water & Sewer Construction
      Sanitation
      • Dept. Overview
      • Bulky Item Collection
      • Curbside Trash
        • Trash/Recycle Listing by Streets
      • Trash/Recycle Listing by Streets
      • Curbside Recycling
        • Curbside Recycling Schedule
      • Electronics Recycling-By Appt Only
      • Non-curbside Recyclable Items
      • Recycling Centers
      • Curbside Yard Waste Collection
      • Seasonal Curbside Leaf Collection
      Utilities
      • Cross Connection Control / Backflow
      • NC Water & Wastewater Rates Dashboard
      • Wastewater / Sewer Plant
      • Water Filtration Plant
  • For Residents
    • Civic Center Rental Information
    • - - Online Reservation Form
    • Cemetery Plots & Information
    • Wilkesboro Utilities
    • - - Report Water/Sewer Problem
    • Other Utility Providers
    • Schedule of Fees 24-25
    • Wilkesboro Sanitation
    • - - Recycle/Trash Days by Street
    • - - Recycle Schedule
    • - - Request Rollout Cart Repair
    • - - Schedule Bulky Item Collection
    • - - Schedule Electronics Recycling
    • - - Schedule Yard Waste Collection
    • Report a Problem Form
    • - - Report Missing Street Sign
    • - - Report Pothole / Sidewalk Problem
    • - - Report Street Light Outage
    • Serve on a Committee or Board
    • Transportation
  • For Business
    • Wilkes Co. Economic Development
    • - - HC Council of Government Demographics
    • - - Wilkesboro Livability Magazine
    • - - "We are Wilkes" Annual Guide
    • - - "We are Wilkes" Quarterly
    • - - Transportation
    • How to Start a Business in Wilkesboro
    • - - Step 1) Zoning/Planning
    • - - Step 2) Sign Permit
    • - - Step 3) Request Fire Inspections
    • - - Step 4) Water/Sewer Service
    • - - Step 5) Beer/Wine Application
    • - - All Building Inspections - inside Town and County
    • - - All Food Inspections
    • How to Launch a Business in NC
    • - - Rural Rise NC Business Help
    • Meeting Space Rental Information
    • - - Online Reservation Form
    • Other Utility Providers for Business
    • Outside Trash Providers for Business
    • Schedule of Fees - FY 24-25
    • Town Forms
  • For Visitors
    • Wilkes Co. District W Tourism Dev Authority
    • Yadkin River State Trail Map
    • Attraction Maps
    • Ben Long Frescoes
    • Historic Wilkesboro Tour
    • Stone Mountain State Park
    • Talking Trees Trail at Rendezvous Mtn.
    • Whippoorwill Academy & Village
    • Wilkesboro Music & Festivals
    • - - Concerts in the Commons
    • - - Movies on Main
    • - - Brushy Mtn. Peach & Heritage Festival
    • - - FaithFest
    • - - Merlefest
    • Wilkesboro Parks & Recreation
    • - - Cub Creek Park Pickleball Courts
    • - - Mountain Bike Trails
    • - - Community Commons & Pavilion Stage
    • - - Heritage Square Splash Pad
    • - - Rolling Pines Disc Golf Course
    • - - Wilkesboro Campground
    • Wilkesboro Sundial
    • W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
    • Wilkes Co. Barn Quilt Trail
    • Wilkes Co. Birding Trails
    • Wilkes Heritage Museum
    • Wilkes Transportation Options
    • Yadkin River Greenway

Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority logo

Thomas Salley, Director
Wilkes Co District W
Tourism Development Authority

Time Shares between County and Town

Office Location:
203 West Main Street
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Tel: 336-838-3951
Fax: 336-838-7616

Mailing Address:
Town of Wilkesboro
Attn: Thomas Salley
PO Box 1056
Wilkesboro, NC 28697

Meeting Location:
Wilkes County Office Bldg.
110 North Street
Wilkesboro, NC 28697

 

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home > for visitors > historic wilkesboro tour
   

WILKESBORO ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR

a Heritage Tour of our Famous Landmarks!  

Historic Wilkesboro Downtown Walking Tour

Printable Map 

Wilkesboro is the county seat of Wilkes County and located in Northwest North Carolina. For two centuries it has been the center of life for people living between the Brushy Mountains on the southeast and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. Today while retaining some of its 18th and 19th-century flavor, the town has also enjoyed the development on it fringes with rapidly growing restaurant and shopping facilities, a community college and two civic centers bring the town up-to-date. For those of us that are sentimental to our grassroots, this self-guided tour is located in the heart of historic downtown of Wilkesboro. 

The architecture tour includes thirteen stopsthat showcase the character of the town of Wilkesboro and its historic downtown area as it has developed. All buildings that included are wonderful examples of the distinctive styling and culture of their times and each is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Each represents an aspect of community life that is historically noteworthy. The buildings are within walking distance of each other.  
   

currently Wilkes Heritage Museum

IMG 2446-transparent-background300X2151TourThe Old Wilkes County Courthouse - A great landmark in Wilkes County. This courthouse was built in 1902 and is an example of official classical revival structures built at the turn of the century. A new courthouse was built in to utilize the ever growing needs of Wilkes County citizens. The Old Courthouse has been restored and houses the "Heritage Museum" for Wilkes County History.
    Finley Law Office 


2TourT
homas B. Finley Law Office - It was built in the late 19th century and a succession of lawyers have practiced here. It is a diminutive, well-preserved carpenter gothic building, an excellent example of its type. Opposite the law office is the Wilkes Heritage Museum.   

IMG 4174-transparent background300X215

3TourThe Smithey Hotel - This building is located east of the Old Wilkes County Courthouse and was built in 1891. It was once a center of mercantile trade on the ground floor with the area's main hotel above. This late 19th-century example of small-town commercial architecture remains relatively unaltered outside. 
      IMG 4165-transparent-background300X215

4TourW.H.H. Cowles Law Office - This building dates from 1871 and is a low, small structure that suited the legal practice of the time. It is on Main Street near the Brown-Cowles House and is also known as the "Law & Bridal Cottage."   
  

IMG 4192-transparent-background300X2155TourBrown-Cowles House - This is the oldest house remaining in Wilkesboro and dates from the 1830s. Hamilton-Brown (1786-1870) built the central structure and Congressman William H. H. Cowles (1850-1901) expanded it. The slave kitchen and curing house are among the few outbuilding still remaining in the area. In front of the house is the Cowles Law Office.Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church  

   
6TourWilkesboro Presbyterian Church - Established in 1837 and built in 1849-50, the church is two blocks east of the Old Wilkes County Courthouse on the south side of Main Street. It served the oldest Presbyterian congregation in 21 Western NC counties. It is a tetrastyle Doric portico is an excellent example of the popular design at the time.   
 IMG 4185-transparent-background300X215

7TourJohnson-Hubbard House - Built in 1855 by Stephen Johnson and purchased in 1885 by Julius C. Hubbard. Hubbard added some additional rooms, but the house remains much in its original state. The upstairs bedroom ceilings are unique in that they were painted with designs made with a smoking pine torch.   
      IMG 4160-transparent-background

8TourJ. T. Ferguson Store - It stands across the street from the Smithey hotel. This building front is cast iron and pressed metal facade produced in St. Louis in 1887. The classical and Victorian details are still bold and impressive today. The manufacturer sold over 5,000 building fronts of this sort during a 23 year period. This is one of the few of this type remaining. The Old store is privately owned and has been restored as a restuarant. 
    

IMG 4166-transparent-background300X2159TourFormer Federal Building - Located on the south side of Main Street and was built in 1915. It is an example of federal revival style architecture, unusual in its preserved refined classical elegance and its use of terra cotta, brick, wood, and plaster. This building has served many purposes over the years, federal courthouse, post office, the board of education, a real estate office and is currently "The 1915". A larger Federal Courthouse was built two doors down from this structure on Main Street and
currently houses the US Post Office for Wilkesboro.
 

Carl Lowe House10TourCarl Lowe House - This home was built in 1899 and is at the top of Brooke Street at Woodland Blvd. It is a fine remaining example of Queen Anne and late Victorian houses, with irregular design, textures, and rare orientation.   
    St Paul's Episocal Church

11TourSt. Paul's Episcopal Church - Located on Cowles Street on the crest of the hill above the town. It was completed in 1849 and is one of the earliest consecrated in the Episcopal Diocese of Western NC. It is a good example of a small parish in the gothic revival style church & much of the building is in its original condition. Benjamin F. Long's Frescoes has been a wonderful addition to the church.    
     
IMG 4159-transparent-background300X21512TourOld Wilkes County Jail - It is located behind the old Wilkes County Courthouse & was completed in 1860. It has been restored by the The Wilkes Heritage Museum as part of the museum tour. Tom Dula or Dooley was one of its inmates and was famous for the murder of Laura Foster, the love of his life. This is an outstanding example of mid 19th century jails and one of the few intact examples in the State of NC.
 

IMG 4180-transparent-background300X21513TourRobert Cleveland Log Home- This was the famous home of Robert Cleveland, a gentleman farmer and his family of 17 children. It was built in 1770s in Purlear, in western Wilkes County. It was moved to Wilkesboro and restored behind the Old Jail as part of the museum tour. Col. Benjamin Cleveland, Robert's brother, lived in Wilkes County and led forces from this region to the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War.  
 

overmtn-victory-sealNoteable Mention: Yadkin River Greenway - By using the designated bicycle and pedestrian trails along the river and its tributaries, the Historic Overmountain Victory Trail. Wilkes County citizens and visitors enjoy this area's many natural, cultural, and recreational resources. The Overmountain Victory Trail is remembered where soldiers on their way to King’s Mountain battle defeated the British in a strategic battle that helped win the Revolution. There are many historic sites along the Reddies and Yadkin River that were not marked but are a significant part of the Wilkes County history. As part of the greenway development, several of the most famous historic and ecological kiosks located along the trail explain the significance of these sites. The National Park Service has designated the OVT as one element of a national trails system.    

 

 

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P.O. Box 1056 • 203 West Main Street • Wilkesboro, NC 28697 •  336-838-3951 3 3 6 8 3 8 3 9 5 1

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