The Town of Tryon has expressed interest in resubmitting an application to designate part of downtown as a historic district. Tryon Town Council met April 15 and heard from Annie McDonald, preservation specialist with the State Historic Preservation Office in Asheville.
McDonald said in 2008, Tryon did an architectural survey, which was denied by the state to place downtown on the study list. McDonald said the conclusion was that there were too many modern buildings or historic buildings that had been greatly altered to be placed on the study list. McDonald said in order for Tryon to be placed on the state study list, which is a requirement first to be considered for the National Register of Historic Places, Tryon must narrow its area to the middle of downtown.
One of the missing pieces currently is the former Misseldine’s Drug Store complex, which was most recently the former Tryon Federal Bank. McDonald said her office has met with the owners of the Misseldine’s building and discussed the renovation status. She said Tryon’s application will hinge on the remedial work done to the façade of the former Misseldine’s building.
McDonald told council Tryon has until June to resubmit its application for the study list. She said that could put Tryon’s downtown on the study list to get approval to pursue national register status. That process takes six months to a year, according to McDonald, depending on the experience of the consultant who would prepare the town’s application.
Commissioner George Baker asked how much a consultant typically charges.
McDonald said typically $4,000-$10,000, but Tryon will not need a consultant to be placed on the study list, just for the national registry application.
Saluda’s downtown was designated as an historic district in 1996, according to McDonald. She said her office has been working with Tryon for decades, beginning in the 1970s when interested residents wanted their houses listed on the register. McDonald also said Melrose Avenue is currently on the state’s study list and the most recent additions to the national register in Tryon include Lynncote, Sunnydale and Tryon Country Club. Stonehedge was also listed on the study list earlier this year, McDonald said.
McDonald suggested Tryon’s follow-up application narrow its boundaries and include updated photographs, such as the former gas station that was recently renovated on South Trade Street.
Polk County has more than 20 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.