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Industrial and Commercial Architecture (2.4)

Significance (2.4.2)

The industrial and commercial buildings of Elizabeth City reflect the dramatic growth of the city during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although none of the buildings from the leading lumber and saw milling industries remain, buildings survive that represent the city's important textile, agricultural, shipbuilding, and warehousing industries. The commercial buildings reflect the growth of the downtown area during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and the spread of commercial enterprises beyond the central core during the twentieth century. Of prime significance is the remarkable collection of mid nineteenth century mercantile buildings near the intersection of Road and Main streets that illustrate the dististinctive character of antebellum Elizabeth City when the mercantile commercial district was separate and listinct from the transportation and warehousing district near the fiverfront. The loss of the antebellum riverfront warehouse district heightens the importance of the mercantile district.

Many of Elizabeth City's commercial and industrial buildings, particularly commercial ones, are also significant because of their architecture. To proclaim the successes of their owners and occupants, these structures were erected in the stylish forms of their day, and include important and intact examples of the Italianate, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Victorian Italianate, Chateauesque, Neo-Classical Revival, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Mission, Art Deco, and International styles.