Historic Preservation

Rocky Mount is experiencing the most investment in restoration of historic landmarks than ever before. Downtown is now anchored by the Imperial Centre of the Arts and Sciences and the Historic Train Station. In addition the People's Bank Building has been restored as first class commercial office space plus numerous enovation projects along Main Street are bringing increased activity downtown. Rocky Mount Mills and the Mill Village are also undergoing renovation as office and residential spaces utilizing historical places.

Rocky Mount Downtown Preservation

Downtown Rocky Mount is the largest urban core in the two counties it overspreads. Once the very active commercial center of the region, it is now underutilized and fairly quiet on the surface, but the rumblings of the trains moving down Main Street are blending with the sounds of hammers and saws as leaders from the public and private sector are uniting to again transform Downtown Rocky Mount into a contemporary attraction.

There is a growing appreciation for the excellent and important historic resources still standing Downtown. Major renovation projects completed include The Train Station, The Peoples Bank Building and The Imperial Centre plus addition retail stores that are now home to furniture refinishing, insurance, retail and services.

The future includes Main Street beautification with new sidewalks, lighting traffic patterns and the rebirth of the Douglas Block, the center to the African-American culture fifty years ago.

Peoples Bank Building

Built in 1918, this building housed the National Bank of Rocky Mount. In the early 1930's, it reopened as the Peoples Bank and Trust Company. Upper stories of the building housed various professional offices. The Self Help Credit Union and additional downtown business occupy the office space.

Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District

Falls Road, River Drive and Peachtree, Spring, Elm and Carr Streets. Rocky Mount Mills Village is a remarkably intact mill village. Built between 1835 and 1948, the Village functioned as the residential area for mill employees and their families. At the present time, individual mill homes are being sold and renovated in an effort to restore Mills Village.

Train Station

100 Coast Line Street. The original Romanesque
building was constructed in 1903 with two stories added by 1916. Today the building houses The Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce and Nash County Visitors Bureau offices, with an Amtrak ticket office on the ground floor. On the side of the transportation center are several refurbished train cars.