85 South Main Street

From the National Register nomination

Italianate ca. 1880 four-story brick building with a fourth story added ca. 1905. The original building is framed by banded piers and has segmental-arch windows with decorative keystones. Dentil-like corbeling runs between the second and third stories. Between the third and fourth stories is a dogtooth band. Over the fourth-story windows are slightly projecting segmental-arch label moldings with pendant ends. The parapet features corbeling, a soldier dogtooth band, and slightly recessed panels. The shed roof has stepped side parapets with multiple flues. The recessed storefront dates to 1964 and is lined with maroon Carrara glass. It has projecting jewelry display cases, aluminum and plate glass doors and windows, and a pavement of decorative brown tile. Above the storefront is an Art Deco-inspired aluminum sign reading "Wilson." The storefront is framed with late 20th century tile. The rear elevation has segmental windows and the west end of the south side elevation has a second-story porch above a cinder block first story. The architectural detail of the original lower three stories of this building suggest a late 19th century date of construction, and the 1886 Sanborn map probably shows the building as a drugstore. In 1897 the drugstore operated out of the first floor, the YMCA was located on the second floor, and the third floor was used as a lodge hall, a use that continued into the 20th century. The fourth story was added between 1902 and 1907. The Avis family operated the drugstore in the early 20th century. Frank O. Taliaferro bought the building in 1951 and moved his jewelry store here (in 1955 Taliaferro was listed as an optometrist). William L. Wilson bought the jewelry business in 1964 and he appears to have been responsible for the handsome Carrara glass storefront. Now Wilson jewelers.