Gilfillin & Houston Building
Historic Property
Alternate Name:
[unknown]
Street Address:
217-219 E Washington St
Site Number:
1880
Control Number:
U/45/1880
Date Surveyed:
November 14 2002
Category:
Building
Construction Date:
circa 1935
Alteration Date:
1999
Historic Use:
Commerce/Trade
Current Use:
Commerce/Trade
Historic Core Shape:
Rectangular
Number of Stories:
2
Construction Method:
masonry
Exterior Walls Materials:
Brick
Foundation Materials:
Not Visible
Roof Shape:
visibility
Roof Materials:
visibility
National Register Determination:
eligible
Signficant Architectural Features:
2-story, 2-part, brick, flat-roof commercial building; stepped and curved parapet; brick entablature w/"G.H." inscribed; bracketed cornices; decorative diamond block insets; concrete coping; 1/1 windows (groups of 3); altered storefronts
Alterations:
Interior upfit and rehabilitation (1999)
Historical Information:
Built for Eugene A. Gilfillin in 1930s, the building was first occupied by Greenville Auto Sales, a Ford dealership. Gilfillin, a Charleston native, was a prominent businessman and entrepreneur in Greenville during early 20th c. In addition to the Gilfillin & Houston Building, he was involved in construction of The Davenport Apartments. Gilfillin was co-founder in 1899 of Gilfillin & Houston insurance and real estate firm. Gilfillin also served as director of SC National Bank, Piedmont Plush Mill, and Anderson Fertilizer Company, as well as being one of the original trustees of the Greenville Public Library.
Source of Historical Information:
NR nomination (June 2003)
Quadrangle Name:
Greenville