HICKORY, NC - October 9, 1925 - It was a cool and drizzly day in October,1925, when eager students swarmed into their new school: Claremont Central High School. An impressive three story Neoclassical structure featuring Corinthian Columns, soaring arches, and terra cotta tile ornamentation, it immediately became one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Hickory. Set a few blocks away from the bustling downtown amid a neighborhood of elegant homes, the school would become a much-loved symbol of the growing city during this era of The Charleston, Jazz, and Prohibition.
Who could have predicted it would become outdated and replaced by a modern building a mile to the north 47 years later in 1972? The school building, once the pride of the city, sat abandoned for 10 years before concerned citizens, many of them graduates of the school, began a campaign to save their alma mater. These people of vision saw that this once-glorious building would be the perfect setting for the Arts and Sciences. They formed The Arts Center, Inc. in 1984, and after significant support from a local family and a capital campaign, the Arts & Science Center building was opened to the community with headlines and celebrations in 1986. The Hickory Museum of Art, founded in 1944 and the Catawba Science Center, founded in 1975, had found their new home. The Hickory Choral Society and the Western Piedmont Symphony also took up residence in what was to become the “Performing Arts Wing” of the building, an addition that had been added on to the original structure in the 1950’s. Now the halls were also filled with music and song.
As visitors flocked to the Arts and Science Center from all over the region, the City of Hickory and Catawba County realized what a valuable attraction this unique institution was for the area, and they have continued to provide significant ongoing financial support. Capital campaigns and fundraisers succeeded each other over the years as the buildings were updated and renovated, and then in 1997 the City of Hickory sub-leased the land and built the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library on “The Block.”
Now Science, the Arts, and Literature were Together on one city block: The SALT Block was born and the foundation was re-named. The years continued to fly by with thousands of visitors coming to “The Block.” The Aquarium and Planetarium Building was opened in 2007, bringing back to life the former high school shop building. The West Wing Building was renovated in 2011, providing office space for the SALT Block Foundation and United Arts Council of Catawba County and classrooms for the Science Center. The Drendel Auditorium was redecorated in 2016, and the Hickory Choral Society “raised the roof” to expand their rehearsal space in 2017.
And now in 2025 the SALT Block looks back and celebrates the 100 years that the building that has become The Arts and Science Center has stood proudly on this city block. Renovations, improvements, and of course, repairs continue as the SALT Block Foundation pursues its mission to both preserve this historic property and support the success of its resident organizations. With the SALT Block Foundation taking care of the details of infrastructure support (heating and cooling, power, water, maintenance, etc.) they can focus on their own missions, making this campus a beacon of education, enjoyment and excellence for our region. Thousands more will visit in the future, as we continue to firmly respect our roots in the past.
Be sure to join in the fun on Saturday, May 3rd, as the SALT Block celebrates its 100th Anniversary at The Derby Party! Put on your Derby finest for a chance at winning the best-dressed contest (will you dress in 1925 or 2025 style?), enjoy mint juleps, southern-themed food, watch “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” and then dance the night away to a hundred years of music with “The Extraordinaires!” Tickets will be available in March… follow our Facebook page and check out our website for more details! www.saltblockfoundation.org
Read Another Article in Our State Magazine featuring the SALT Block!
