J. C. Steele House

1878. Second Empire style. Steele moved from Troutman to Statesville and became interested in a Sword Brickmaking machine being used in Statesville and eventually bought it. He began manufacturing brick and brick manufacturing machinery as J. C. Steele and Sons, a business still thriving today. He invented several devices in the 1880’s that replaced crude forms of brickmaking machinery used in the US. His house was a two-story frame house with a three-story tower with mansard roof. Two brick outbuildings are the original wellhouse and smokehouse. After achieving success in the brickmaking business, he extensively remodeled the house into one of the most ornate Victorian houses in town. This was done prior to 1900. His still active business remains located just across Western Avenue from his house.