Josephine Napoleon Leary Building
Contributors:
Theo Ralph, builder
Dates:
1894
Location:
Edenton, Chowan County
Street Address:
421-425 S. Broad St., Edenton, NC
Status:
Standing
Type:
Commercial
Images Published In:
Catherine W. Bishir and Michael T. Southern, A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Eastern North Carolina (1996).
Thomas R. Butchko, Edenton, an Architectural Portrait: The Historic Architecture of Edenton, North Carolina (1992).
Note:
The intact and classic iron-fronted building was constructed by Theo Ralph for Mrs. Josephine Napoleon Leary, a remarkable woman who was born in slavery and became a successful entrepreneur. The iron front, complete with Mrs. Leary’s name in the pediment, came from the popular “Mesker Bros. Front Builders” of St. Louis. Detailed specifications survive in the agreement between Mrs. Leary and Ralph (see Butchko, Edenton).
