North Wilkesboro was founded in 1891 when the Norfolk and Southern Railroad built a railroad line into Wilkes County. The line ended on the northern bank of the Yadkin River opposite Wilkesboro, the county seat. The town of North Wilkesboro quickly developed around the railroad tracks. North Wilkesboro is considered to birthplace of Lowes Home Improvement Stores and one of the birthplaces of modern day stock car racing as it was home to the North Wilkesboro Speedway; the first NASCAR sanctioned track. Enjoy these photos of just a few of the unique buildings in North Wilkesboro’s downtown district.
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Tag: North Wilkesboro North Carolina
Independent Oil Company — Wilkes County, North Carolina
This is/was the Independent Oil Company located just outside of downtown North Wilkesboro, North Carolina on Wilkesboro BLVD ( NC 268)
Southern Railway Depot — Wilkes County, North Carolina
The Southern Railway Depot, also known as the North Wilkesboro Depot, is located along Cherry Street, CBD Loop and Ninth Street.
It was built in 1914 by the Southern Railway, and is a long, one-story brick building with American Craftsman style design elements. It measures 36 feet wide and 240 feet long and has a low hipped roof with overhanging eaves. Passenger service ceased in 1955.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 2004.
North Wilkesboro Speedway — Wilkes County, North Carolina
The North Wilkesboro Speedway originally opened as a dirt track May 18, 1947 in Wilkes County, North Carolina about 4 miles east of the town of North Wilkesboro. The track was paved in 1957.
NASCAR continued to run at North Wilkesboro until 1996 when the track was sold. On January 1, 1996, the fifty percent interest in North Wilkesboro Speedway owned by the Staley family had been sold to racetrack developer and promoter Bob Bahre, owner of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mike Staley said that selling the track was very painful but it was the only choice he had. Bahre and Bruton Smith, who both already owned several NASCAR circuits, announced their intent to use the spring and fall race dates for their own tracks citing North Wilkesboro Speedway’s age and lack of modern amenities.
The 1996 Tyson Holly Farms 400 was the last Winston Cup Series race was held at the track. . This was the last Cup to have fewer than 40 cars start. 8 drivers would lead laps in the race with Jeff Gordon leading most of the event with 207 laps up front. Gordon won the race, in front of a record crowd, over runner up Dale Earnhardt. Ever car that stated this race was running at the finish. Most of the fans remained in the stands long after the race was over holding on to memories of the track. 
The Track was reopened briefly from 2010-2011 playing host to the USAR ProCup Series and the ASA Late Model Series.
The final race was held on May 9, 2011.
Jamie in Wanderland 