Anderson Downtown Historic District
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Main St. between Tribble and Market Sts., Anderson, SC (Anderson County)
NRHP Nomination
Boundary Increase I
Boundary Increase II
Record Number:
S10817704002
Description and Narrative:
The Anderson Downtown Historic District is primarily significant as a well-preserved late nineteenth/early twentieth century commercial area. The district retains a typical town plan with a courthouse square in its center, as well as numerous good examples of Victorian, Romanesque Revival, and Beaux Arts commercial architecture. Anderson, incorporated 1833, is also significant for its role as a commercial, governmental, and cultural center for Anderson County. The Anderson Downtown Historic District is comprised of approximately 97 commercial structures, the County Courthouse, the Anderson City Hall, a Victorian fountain, and two historic monuments. The brick constructed structures date primarily from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and are located in the heart of Anderson’s central business district. The courthouse and surrounding square serve as the focal point of the historic district. Located southeast of this commercial district is the residential Anderson Historic District. Listed in the National Register February 23, 1979; Boundary increase November 5, 1987.
The boundary increase expands the boundaries of the Anderson Downtown Historic District to include the four commercial buildings on the west side of the 400 block of S. Main Street and the freight depot at 109 W. Market Street. The buildings inside of the proposed boundary increase contribute to the historical significance of the existing historic district for their associations with Anderson’s commercial development and as examples of early 20th century commercial architecture. The buildings largely retain their original materials and overall historic character. The early 20th century architecture of these buildings is consistent with the other buildings listed in the historical district. At the start of the 20th century, the 400 block of S. Main was populated by African American businesses. The Jenkins family continually operated one or more businesses on the block from at least 1905 to 1922. The family’s business ventures appear to have started with Jenkins Brothers (later Jenkins & Watson), a grocery store operated by brothers Newton A. Jenkins and Moses F. Jenkins, and their brother-in-law Michael J. Watson. Other African American businesses in the northern end of the block between 1905 and 1909 included a barber shop, a doctor’s office for N.A. Jenkins, Acme Pressing Club, and Jenkins Hall, among others. Boundary Increases approved November 5, 1987 and May 24, 2018.
Period of Significance:
1905;19th century;20th century
Level of Significance:
State
Area of Significance:
Politics/Government;Architecture;Commerce;Performing Arts
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
February 23 1979
Date of Boundary Increase:
November 5 1987;May 24 2018
