Cove Creek High School, Sugar Grove, North Carolina
Posted by: 
PersonsMD
N 36° 15.756 W 081° 47.128
17S E 429442 N 4013361
Quick Description: A rare "Rock" Art Deco building. Built in the 1940's this High School designed by Clarence Coffey displays an Art Deco style. This building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 for its significance in architecture.
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 1/5/2009 4:01:01 PM
Waymark Code: WM5GYB
Views: 18
Long Description:The rocks for the school were "harvested" from a nearby farm, with
the mortar mixed from sand from the creek. The former Cove Creek
High School/Elementary School had been replaced by new schools and
the old building was at risk of ruin. CCP&D was formed and had
the site designated "Historic" and began renovations to restore the
building to its original condition. The old cafeteria has recently
been completed to serve as the "Red Raider Community Room",
restored down to the old brick tile floors.
Architect was Clarence P. Coffey of Lenoir North Carolina
The following was sited from: ("http://www.covecreek.net/"
target="_blank">visit link)
The Old Cove Creek High School building is a WPA-era rock
structure that is a treasured landmark in the rural Cove Creek
community. The school closed in 1995 and CCP&D was incorporated
in 1996 and granted a 501(c)3, with the goal of preservation and
utilization of the 28,000 sq. ft. Old Cove Creek High School
building and the adjacent 3,640 sq. ft. brick structure for
community service. The building was listed on the National Register
of Historic Places on 6/18/98. A structural evaluation (completed
8/98) determined that the building was basically sound, but was
deteriorating internally from expansion and contraction of the
interior structure due to temperature extremes from no heat in the
building, and from moisture damage resulting from leaking plumbing
and improper drainage. The Watauga County Commissioners leased the
building to CCP&D for 25 years (for $1/year). The Appalachian
Regional Commission (USDA) for economic development granted
CCP&D matching funding ($199,250) in 2000 to install a
geothermal HVAC. The Janirve Foundation provided a $75,000 matching
grant. Skyline Telephone loaned $60,000 and the Watauga County
Commissioners loaned $225,000 for 5 years at no interest to enable
the restoration process to continue in a timely manner. Matching
funds were raised via the annual Doc Watson MusicFest which began
in 1998. In 2005, the event name was changed to MusicFest 'n Sugar
Grove.
CCP&D worked with the community and numerous public and
private agencies to evolve a vision for the building. Job creation
in the remaining available space would produce rental income to
make non-revenue producing community projects possible. Jung Tao
School of Chinese Medicine, a long-term tenant of CCP&D (since
1999), moved to the second floor in 2003, opening the first floor
former media center for the Sugar Grove Developmental Day School
which opened 6/1/04. When the outstanding loan (Watauga County) has
been repaid, the community room renovation project can proceed.