ARCHAEOLOGY

Over 225 prehistoric or historic archaeological sites are recorded for Wilkes County in the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office statewide inventory.

ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY

The Historic Preservation Office supervised and cosponsored surveys in Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Traphill in 1979-1980.

GRANTS

Since 1979, $7,900 in matching federal grants have funded architectural surveys in Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Traphill, and the restoration of Holbrook Farm. State appropriations of $135,500 since 1971 have aided the restoration of the Old Wilkes Jail, Wilkesboro Town Cemetery, and the Robert Cleveland Log House.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

Since 1971, Wilkes County has had seventeen National Register listings, including twelve properties in Wilkesboro, the Holbrook Farm near Traphill, and the Elkin Creek Mill. The Traphill Historic District was nominated to the National Register with the assistance of a federal matching grant administered by the Historic Preservation Office.

PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS

Rehabilitation of the Thomas B. Finley Law Office, an income-producing tax credit project in Wilkesboro, has been completed at a construction investment of $8,900. One residential renovation is underway to utilize the new state tax credit for non-income-producing historic structures. The Historic Preservation Office reviews and provides restoration technical services for all preservation tax credit projects.

RESTORATION

The Historic Preservation Office provided technical assistance through the administration and supervision of federal and state grant-funded restorations of the Old Wilkes Jail, Cleveland Log House (Wilkesboro), Wilkesboro Town Cemetery, and the Holbrook Farm near Traphill. Additional properties receiving technical consultations include the North Wilkesboro Graded School, and in Wilkesboro, the Wilkes County Courthouse, the Old Federal Courthouse, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and Lincoln Heights School.