Preservation North Carolina presents “Dallas on the Square”
Updated: Aug 14, 2023
Open House offers rare look inside historic jail and one of the few remaining antebellum Greek Revival-style houses in Gaston County
GASTON COUNTY -- Preservation North Carolina (PNC) is thrilled to participate in Dallas on the Square on July 10 and open up two unique and historical gems that are for sale along Court Square in Dallas: the Historic Dallas Jail and Smyre-Pasour House. The free open house from 1-4pm is presented in partnership with the Gaston County Museum and Gilleland Realty, Inc. The Gaston County Museum will host a presentation and book signing at 1pm and 3pm (3rd Floor) with local authors Beth Yarbrough and Ashley Oliphant on their new book, Jean Laffite Revealed: Unraveling One of America’s Longest Running Mysteries.
PNC is seeking preservation-minded buyers for both the Dallas Jail and Smyre-Pasour House who will rehabilitate the properties. Both properties will be placed under protective covenants with PNC in perpetuity so that they will remain a part of the Dallas Court Square for generations to come.
The Dallas Jail (built ca. 1847) is an early contributing structure in the Dallas National Register Historic District, and eligible for state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. The jail’s unique interior features include barrel-shaped corrugated metal ceilings, interesting markings on the jail walls, and a centered metal spiral staircase. The jail is ideal for adaptive reuse and for those looking for an urban feel within the charm of a small southern town.
The Smyre-Pasour House (built ca. 1874) is one of the few remaining antebellum Greek Revival-style houses in Gaston County. The house and well house are contributing structures in the Dallas National Register Historic District and are eligible for state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits. It sits flush with the street and facing the former Gaston County Courthouse in the heart the Court Square. The one-story, five-bay frame house built in vernacular Greek-Revival style has a three-bay wide addition to the north side with identical finish.
The 1973 National Register nomination describes the Dallas Historic District and Court Square as having “a quiet grouping of well-preserved commercial and residential structures around the shaded courthouse square… an idyllic small-town atmosphere recalling the slower pace of the late nineteenth century.” Downtown Dallas retains much of this atmosphere today.
In addition to the open house, local authors Beth Yarbrough and Ashley Oliphant will give a presentation and host a book signing at 1pm and 3pm at the Gaston County Museum (3rd floor) featuring their new book, Jean Laffite Revealed: Unraveling One of America’s Longest Running Mysteries.
Jean Laffite Revealed: Unraveling One of America’s Longest-Running Mysteries takes a fresh look at the various myths and legends surrounding one of the last great pirates. Beginning with 1805, the book traces Laffite through his rise to power as a privateer and smuggler in the Gulf, his involvement in the Battle of New Orleans, his flight to Texas, and his eventual disappearance in the waters of the Caribbean. With stunning revelations, this book picks up the trail from there—a trail that no one knew existed until now. This carefully researched work is a bona fide wild ride that will silence long-held speculation about Laffite's ultimate fate.
Dallas on the Square: One of the most high profile and distinctive buildings in downtown Dallas (the Historic Dallas Jail) and one of the few remaining antebellum Greek Revival-style houses in Gaston County (the Historic Smyre-Pasour House) are for sale and open to the public. Both are ideal for adaptive reuse! Join Preservation North Carolina, the Gaston County Museum, and Gilleland Realty, Inc. on July 10 from 1pm-4pm for an open house and book presentation/signing! This is a free event. Visit www.presnc.org/events for more information.
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Founded in 1939, Preservation North Carolina (PNC) is North Carolina’s only private nonprofit statewide historic preservation organization. Its mission is to protect and promote buildings, landscapes and sites important to the diverse people of North Carolina. Through its award-winning Endangered Properties Program, Preservation North Carolina acquires endangered historic properties and then finds purchasers to rehabilitate them. PNC has protected more than 800 historic properties statewide.
Annie Jernigan, (919) 832-3652 ext. 227 or ajernigan@presnc.org
Preservation North Carolina The Historic Preservation Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. North Carolina
Headquarters Mail: P.O. Box 27644, Raleigh NC 27611-7644 Street: 814 Oberlin Road, Raleigh NC 27605 919-832-3652 ● fax 919-832-1651 ● e-mail: info@presnc.org ● www.PreservationNC.org
