Ripley-Shepherd Building
1847.
Believed to be the second oldest building on Main Street; one of several structures built by Colonel Valentine Ripley, and once known as the "Ripley Brick Store House.” It is said to have served as a district commissary under a Major Noe during the Civil War and was Hendersonville's post office during the tenure of James Waldrop (1876-1883). Having served many commercial purposes, the two-story brick structure is still remembered for Shepherd and Hart's furniture and undertaking business, and its long association with the Shepherd family who bought it in 1896. Distinctive on Main Street for its high hip roof and bracketed eaves, the store has been altered at street level for modern commercial purposes but restored in 2004.
HISTORIC MARKER PLACED 2009
Ripley-Shepherd Building
ca. 1847
Built by Col. Valentine Ripley, early businessman, this is one of the first brick structures in Hendersonville. Early uses were a general store, post office and Confederate commissary under Major Noe. M.M. Shepherd and F.G. Hart purchased it in 1896 for a furniture and undertaking business. Still proudly owned by the descendents of M.M. Shepherd.
ca. 1900
Photo taken 1987.