A campaign is under way to save what was at one time known as the Greene Hotel, most recently the Appletree Nursery property at 24 Broad St.
Peggy Allgood, president of the Cave Spring Historical Society, said that officials are not sure exactly how old the building is but that they know it was completely renovated in 1902. “We’ve had it looked at by a state historic preservation official who told us he thought it was salvageable, but it’s going to take a lot of effort and a lot of money,” Allgood said. “It was a beautiful building at one time.”
Allgood said that her office has a tentative agreement worked up to purchase the building for $100,000 if the money can be raised in fairly short order. “We could use it as a bed and breakfast, I could see it used for mixed-use residential and retail space. There are a lot of possibilities,” Allgood said.
Dianna Haney said that she believes the building was used as a coach stop around the time Cave Spring was founded more than 150 years ago. “As the town grew, it grew and probably turned into a hotel in the 1870s,” Haney said. “Saving this building is so important.”
William C Benefield, a construction contractor, purchased the building in February 2008 for $100,000.
“Mr. Benefield has been very gracious in working with us, giving us some time to raise the money,” said Allgood. Attempts to reach Benefield have been unsuccessful.
After it ceased by used as a hotel, Allgood said the building has seen a number of applications, including apartments at one time, a doctor’s office and most recently as a nursery.
An account has been set up for contributions at the United Community Bank in Cave Spring and Allgood said that any donations that are made through the Cave Spring Historical Society could be written off as a tax deduction.
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