Historic Architectural Survey of Smyth County, Virginia
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HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY, VIRGINIA HIt.L STUDIO, P.C. SMYTt-[ COUN IY BOARD OF SUPI_I.WI_)I),5 [2xOANOKI- [_xE(.I()NAL PRESERVATION OFF1CE 120 WESTCAMPI]ELI AVENUE P.O. Box188 1030 PENMAI< AVliNUI- ROANOKI-, VIRGINIA 24011 MARI()N, VIRGINIA 24354 14(_)ANC)KE, VIRGINIA 24013 COVER KEY: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1. "HENRYTOWN" / SALTVILLE 2. UNION METHODIST CHURCH - 086-0008 3. SITE PLAN-LT. GOV. B.F. BUCHANAN HOUSE, MARION - 119-0012-013 4. NATIONAL BANK OF CHILHOWIE, CH1LHOWIE - 189-0001-001 5. SMYTH COUNTY COURTHOUSE, MARION - 119-0001 6. NEWMAN BARN, ROUTE 689 - 086-0140 7. IONIC COLUMN SKETCH, GLOSSARY 8. HAMM-ROBERTS MILL, TEAS - 086-130 9. TRUSS BRIDGE, EAST CHILHOWIE ST., MARION - 119-0012-24 HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY, VIRGINIA HILL STUDIO, P.C. 120 WEST CAMPBELL AVENUE ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011 (540) 342-5263 Prepared By: Alison S. Blanton, Project Manager Rebecca L. Ballard Mary A. Zirkle Virginia Department of Historic Resources Roanoke Regional Preservation Office 1030 Penmar Avenue Roanoke, VA 24013 (540) 857-7585 Smyth County Board of Supervisors P.O. Box 188 Marion, VA 24354 (540) 783-3298 HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................. v List of Maps ........................................................................................................ vii List of Tables ........................................................................................................ ix List of Illustrations ............................................................................................. xi Chapter One: Project Background .................................................................... 1 Introduction 1 ProjectDescription 1 Chapter Two: Research Design ......................................................................... 5 Objectives 5 Methodology 5 ExpectedResults 10 Chapter Three: Historic Context ..................................................................... 13 HistoricOverview 13 DomesticTheme 35 Subsistence/Agriculture Theme 51 Government/Law/Political Theme 57 Health Care/Medical Therne 61 EducationTheme 67 Military/Defense Theme 73 ReligionTheme 79 SocialTheme 87 Recreation/Arts Theme 91 TransportationTheme 97 Commerce and Trade Theme 105 Industry/Processing/Extraction Theme 111 Landscape Theme 121 FuneraryTheme 127 SettlementPatterns 131 Chapter Four: Survey Findings ..................................................................... 139 Chapter Five: Evaluation ................................................................................ 147 EligibilityStandards 148 Properties Eligiblefor National RegisterListing 151 Properties Potentially Eligible for National Register Listing 152 MultiplePropertySubmission 154 Chapter Six: Recommendations .................................................................... 157 Glossary of Terms ............................................................................................. 161 References .......................................................................................................... 167 HISTORIC ARCIflTECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY Appendix A: Smyth County Survey Matrix Appendix B: Inventory of Surveyed Resources by Identification Number Appendix C: Inventory of Surveyed Resources by Alphabetical Order Appendix D: Inventory of Surveyed Resources by Chronologic Order Appendix E: Inventory of Surveyed Resources by Historic Context Appendix F: Preliminary Information Form for the Potential Chilhowie Historic District Appendix G: Preliminary Information Form for the Potential Marion Historic District Appendix H: Preliminary Information Form for the Potential Saltville Historic District Appendix I: Draft Multiple Property Documentation Form ii HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY ABSTRACT The County of Smyth was awarded a matching grant by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to conduct an architectural survey of the County. In September of 1995, Hill Studio, P.C. was awarded a contract by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to conduct this survey. The survey was carried out under the general direction of Alison Blanton, Project Manager. Ms. Blanton was also the project architectural historian and principal investigator A total of two hundred properties over an area of four hundred thiry-five square miles were surveyed as part of this project. Twenty-five of these were surveyed at the intensive level and the remainder at the reconnaissance level. Of these properties, eighteen were determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Forty-Seven additional properties were recommended for further study. In addition to the building surveys, the contractual agreement specified that at least two Preliminary Information Forms (PIFs) be prepared for the project. Hill Studio prepared three forms: one for Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville historic districts. Hill Studio also made recommendations for further documentation of resources, as well as for a preservation plan, rural historic districts, and education and tourism efforts. iii HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY iv HISTORIC ARCttlTECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTtt COUNTY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hill Studio would like to extend thanks to the County of Smyth and its residents, whose generous support and contributions have been invaluable to the completion of this project. We would also like to extend thanks to the following for their guidance, helpful information, and assistance throughout the course of this project. Their time, patience and prompt responses were greatly appreciated. Department of Historic Resources Margaret Peters - Historian of the Capital Region Office, Manager of Statewide Cost Share Program Dr. John Kern - Historian, Director of the Roanoke Regional Preservation Office Anne Beckett - Architectural Historian County of Smyth Thomas Burkett II, Executive Director, Chamber of Commerce Ken Heath, Executive Director, Marion Downtown Sally H. Morgan, Director of Community Development Tourism Committee - Smyth County Chamber of Commerce Joan Armstrong Edna Love Mack Sturgilt Jerry Catron Hill Studio would like to extend a spec&l thanks to the following for taking the time to share with us their knowledge of Smyth County Kathryn Beattie "Mac" Mcllhaney BobMcKixmey RockyCahill Evelyn Lawrence Janice Messemore Lawrence Richardson Chris Btmch DavidDixon WilliamCobb And finally we would like to thank Dr. Henderson and Mrs. Jouette Graham for their generous hospitality in hosting the survey team throughout the course of the project. v HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY (DF SA,IYTH COUNTY vi HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY LIST OF MAPS Map 1-1 The State of Virginia with Smyth County highlighted ......................... 2 Map 1-2 Smyth County, Virginia; Magisterial Districts and USGS Quad Map Boundaries ....................... 3 vii HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY °o° Vlll HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY LIST OF TABLES Table 2-1 Magisterial Distribution ........................................................................ 6 Table 2-2 Magisterial Distribution at the Completion of the Project .................... 7 Table 4-1 Summary of Surveyed Properties ..................................................... 139 Table 5-1 Smyth County Resource Distribution ............................................... 147 ix HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY X HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY OF SMYTH COUNTY LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Potential Marion Historic District ............................................................................ 9 Hamm Roberts Mill (86-130) ................................................................................ 13 Townhouse Ruins (86-12) ...................................................................................... 17 Madam Russell Cabin ............................................................................................. 19 James Davis Homeplace (86-1) .............................................................................. 21 Mathieson-Alkali Works (295-9) ............................................................................ 27 British Row House ................................................................................................. 27 Potential Saltville Historic District ......................................................................... 28 National Bank of Chilhowie (189-1-1) ................................................................... 29 Store, Seven Mile Ford (86-75) .............................................................................. 29 St. Paul's Episcopal Church ................................................................................... 30 Present Day Marion, Virginia ................................................................................. 33 Carnegie School (119-14) ....................................................................................... 33 Chilhowie, VA ........................................................................................................ 34 C. Gwyn House (119-15) ....................................................................................... 39 DeBusk House (86-122) ........................................................................................