Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Jeanna Baxter White

Word Master Media Group for the Davie County Chamber of Commerce

Visitors to Mocksville often marvel at the magnificent old homes gracing Main Street and wish to know their history.

Now visitors and locals can learn more about these stately structures by picking up a copy of the new Walking Tour of Downtown Mocksville guide created by the Davie County Chamber of Commerce.

“Mocksville has such a rich history. We thought a walking tour brochure would be a terrific way to showcase our beautiful downtown homes and attract visitors to our area,” said Caroline Moser, president of the chamber.

“As people are taking the self-guided tour, we hope they will also stop and shop in our unique downtown stores and grab a bite to eat at one of our palette-pleasing restaurants.”

The homes, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s,  feature a variety of architectural styles including Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Victorian Gothic, Classical Revival, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival. Here is a sampling of the historic homes and distinctive downtown buildings featured:

Philip Hanes House

This 1902 Neo-Classicalevival house on a hill features a wrap-around and elaborate pent gable-roofed dormer, built for Philip Hanes who, along with his brother Benjamin, ran B.F. Hanes Tobacco Co. in Winston-Salem. Hanes died from injuries received in an accident soon after construction ended. It is at 1085 N. Main St.

Abraham Nail House

This 1880s Brick Gothic Revival house features pointed arch windows and central bay porches on two stories, built for Abrahman Nail, who married Ida G. Rose. Nail’s sister, Mariah, married John Mertz, together they toured in the circus. It is at 768 N. Main St.

Former Princess Theatre & Hotel Mocksville

Arthur Daniel built and operated the Princess Theatre (1927-1963) and Hotel Mocksville (1934-). The Hotel Mocksville had 22 rooms and was the only hotel in town. With business strong, Daniel added a third floor in 1935. Traveling salesmen chose to stay at the hotel because of its good food. Chairs line the sidewalk, allowing guests to enjoy the cooling evening air before retiring to their rooms at night.

The project was spearheaded by Moser and Tom Lentz, who serves on the chamber’s board of directors. Master historian, Jane McAllister, former director of the Davie County Public Library, provided the historical photos and details. Jessica Marie Photography provided the pictures.

The brochures are available in the chamber’s Visitor Center at 135 S. Salisbury St.t in Mocksville as well as at all of the downtown businesses.

For additional information about the history of Davie County visit the Davie County Public Library Martin Wall Local History Room at 371 N. Main St. To learn more about the Davie County Chamber of Commerce visit www.Daviechamber.com or call (336) 751-3304.