Working Benevolent Temple & Professional Building

Historic Property

Alternate Name:

Temple Building

Street Address:

131 Falls St

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Site Number:

0041

Control Number:

U/45/0041

Date Surveyed:

November 14 2002

Category:

Building

Construction Date:

1922

Historic Use:

Commerce/Trade

Current Use:

Commerce/Trade

Historic Core Shape:

Rectangular

Number of Stories:

3

Construction Method:

steel

Exterior Walls Materials:

Brick Veneer

Foundation Materials:

Not Visible

Roof Shape:

flat

Roof Materials:

visibility

National Register Determination:

listed

Signficant Architectural Features:

3-story commercial block; 100 feet by 70 feet; brick veneer over steel frame; storefront divided by brick piers; multi-light transoms; 1/1 windows on 2nd floor; 3rd floor w/arched window openings separated by belt course, 8/8, concrete keystones, Flemish bond brickwork, and brick banding on parapet; storefronts are single-leaf entry flanked w/windows over solid panels

Historical Information:

The Working Benevolent Temple and Professional Building served as the center of the black business district. Funded by the Working Benevolent State Grand Lodge of SC, the building housed the Lodge's administrative offices. The building contained offices for doctors, lawyers, dentists, a newspaper, and insurance firms. The building was also home to the first black mortuary in the city. The building was the center of Civil Rights activities during the 1960s

Source of Historical Information:

NR nomination

Quadrangle Name:

Greenville

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