About the Owners
Hey there! We’re Blair and Victoria, the duo behind The Historic Dallas Jail. We purchased the old Dallas Jail back in February of 2022, and after 6 months of planning and a year of renovation, we finally opened our doors. Our dream has always been to create a space where families can gather and make unforgettable memories. We’re so proud to bring this dream to life in a building full of history and character.
A bit about us: Victoria was born and raised in Gastonia and has spent the last decade working in corporate events and marketing. With a passion for creativity, she’s been an entrepreneur since day one, bringing fresh ideas and a personalized touch to every event we host. Blair, on the other hand, has spent over a decade working in luxury hospitality at top-tier brands like Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton. His attention to detail and ability to make every guest feel like a VIP is what makes our venue so special.
Together, we bring a unique blend of creativity and luxury service to The Historic Dallas Jail. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a rehearsal dinner, or any other celebration, we’re here to ensure your event is nothing short of spectacular. We can’t wait to welcome you to our space!
The Building’s History
The original structure was built to served as the county jail from 1848- 1900. The local Sheriff and his family would have lived on the main floor of the building and the cell block was located upstairs.
The original building burned in 1900, with the exception of the outer brick structure and granite foundation. Pauley Jail Company rebuilt the interior and added an addition onto the building. The renovation was to "fire proof" the building by adding layers of concrete and our signature curved metal ceilings. The building was then used as a jail until 1911, but was closed once the county seat was moved to Gastonia.
Since 1911, the building has been used as apartments, The Old Dallas Jail Restaurant, a Peddlers Steak House, a Tack and Feed store, and most recently a Bar. For the last 36 years 'The Old Dallas Jail' remained empty.
In February 2022, Blair Propert and Victoria Melvin-Propert purchased The Jail through Preservation North Carolina and The Gaston County Museum. Under the guidance of Preservation North Carolina, a plan was put in place to restore the building and protect the architecture. Bob Smith, of Talley & Smith Architecture Inc. was brought on to develop plans that would bring the building up to code while maintaining as much of the original structure as possible. Pinnix General Contractors joined the restoration team and completed major structural repairs to the building, as well as adding all new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, rebuilding the front porch, installation of new windows, all whilst bringing the building into the current century, with maintaining its original integrity.
Following a year of restoration, the building has finally been transformed into a Unique Historic Venue while maintaining its original architecture and charm.
