SALISBURY — At its May 9 meeting, the Historic Preservation Commission recommended that the McKenzie-Grimes House located at 228 West Bank Street and Franklin Smith House located at 201 South Fulton Street become local historic landmarks. 

The McKenzie-Grimes House was built in 1902 in the Queen Anne free classic style and is noted as the first piece of property acquired by the Historic Salisbury Foundation in 1974. 

Some of its outside features include wooden Tuscan columns and square roofline balustrade above the driveway. On the inside of the house, there are stained glass windows, built-in wooden bookshelves with leaded glass doors, and two fireplace mantels.

City Planner Emily Vanek said the HPC had discussions regarding the house having “aluminum siding” and how that made it not meet the “material integrity aspect.” 

However, the State Historic Preservation Office stated, “Despite the application of aluminum siding, the character-defining woodwork remains visible and the house’s adequate historic integrity to convey its architectural appearance. It appears that this c. 1902 Queen Anne has been carefully preserved and sympathetically restored, where appropriate.”

In the end, the HPC approved it to move along in the historic landmark process.

The Franklin Smith House was built in 1902 in the Spanish mission style. Its exterior characteristics consist of a red clay tile roof, curvilinear gables and parapets, tall stucco chimneys, stucco over brick façade, asymmetrical façade, wooden balconies and decorative relief trim. 

The interior of the house has English oak woodwork, stained glass features, an 18th century marble mantel, oak stairway, restored plaster crown moldings and medallions and gas light fixtures. 

Karen Lilly Bowyer, the applicant for both properties, felt that it was fitting for them to be officially recognized for their impact on Salisbury’s past. 

“Having a property recommended for landmark designation is a verification of the properties’ unique value to Salisbury’s historic preservation initiative,” Bowyer said. 

Vanek said the recommendations will be brought before the Salisbury City Council at the July 16 meeting.