LEE COUNTY
Updated 12/31/99
The North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office statewide inventory contains information on nearly 140 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in Lee County.
A countywide architectural survey was completed in 1992. Surveys are cooperative local-state projects accomplished with grants and staff assistance from the Historic Preservation Office.
State grants totaling $160,500 have assisted restoration of the Temple Theatre and the Sanford City Hall. A $10,000 federal grant helped fund the countywide architectural survey in 1991-1992.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
National Register nominations include seven individual listings across the county, a commercial historic district in downtown Sanford, a historic district in the neighborhoods of Rosemount and McIver Park in Sanford, the former Sanford High School, and Buffalo Presbyterian Church and Cemeteries.
LOCAL PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS
Upon local request, the Historic Preservation Office has provided consultations services to Sanford's historic district and appearance commission. The city of Sanford, which became a Certified Local Government in 1997, has one locally designated landmark and two historic districts administered by the commission.
Three income-producing tax credit projects have been completed in Lee County at a total construction investment of $1,989,300, including the Carolina Hotel and the Wilrik Hotel in Sanford, the latter adapted for affordable housing. Rehabilitation of the old Coca Cola Building in Sanford is underway for use as offices. Two residences are currently undergoing renovation to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income-producing structures. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all preservation tax credit projects.
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND PUBLICATIONS
The Historic Preservation Office assisted Lee County and local organizations in the 1995 publication of The History and Architecture of Lee County by J. Daniel Pezzoni.
The Historic Preservation Office has provided technical assistance for the renovation of the Temple Theatre, the old Carolina and Wilrik Hotels, the Railroad House, and the old City Hall in Sanford, and many other buildings throughout the county.