ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY REPORT ABINGDON, VIRGINIA PREPARED BY THOMASON AND ASSOCIATES PRESERVATION PLANNERS P.O. BOX 121225 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37212 615-385-4960 PREPARED FOR TOWN OF ABINGDON, VIRGINIA 133 W. MAIN STREET P.O. BOX 789 ABINGDON, VIRGINIA 540-628-3167 DECEMBER, 1998 TABLE OF CONTENTS +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I. Abstract .............................................. II. Acknowledgements........................................ 2 III. List of Maps, Illustrations,Tables .............................. 3 IV. Introduction/Description of Survey .............................. 4 V. HistoricContexts......................................... 6 VI. ResearchDesign ........................................ 26 Objectives........................................ 26 Methods......................................... 26 ExpectedResults.................................... 26 VII. SurveyFindings......................................... 27 VIII. ArchaeologicalAssessment .................................. 36 IX. Evaluation ............................................ 41 X. Recommendations ....................................... 58 XI. Bibliography........................................... 59 Appendix A - Archaeological Sites in the Abingdon Historic District I. ABSTRACT ._+÷-_.+÷÷÷÷÷+÷÷÷÷÷+._.÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷o_+÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷+÷._.++÷+÷÷ Abingdon has a population of 10,000 and is the county seat of Washington County in southwest part of Virginia. Founded in 1778, Abingdon is located along the Great Valley Road in the Holston River Valley which was a major conduit for westward settlement. The town prospered in the early 1800s and a large number of substantial brick, frame, and log dwellings and commercial buildings were constructed during these years. By the mid-19th century, Abingdon was a busy hub of commerce along the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad and was home to a number of fine schools and academies. The town maintained its prosperity through late 19th and early 20th centuries. A wealth of historic architecture remains from this period and much of it is centered within the National Register-listed Abingdon Historic District. In 1997, an additional survey of historic resources in the town was requested as part of community preservation efforts. This survey resulted in a re-examination of previously surveyed properties and the reconnaissance level survey of an additional one hundred properties. This report describes previous survey efforts in the town and the results and recommendations of the 1997 survey. II. ACKNOIArLEDGMENTS ÷÷÷+÷÷÷÷+-b+÷÷+÷÷+÷++++÷++÷+++÷+÷+÷÷÷÷÷+÷++÷÷÷+÷ Thanks are due to a number of groups and individuals who assisted in the completion of this survey. The primary groups or organizations which contributed to this project include: E3 Town of Abingdon Washington County Preservation Foundation Historical Society of Washington County D Abingdon Rotary Club _1 Kiwanis Club of Abingdon We would like to thank Mr. Albert C. Bradley, Director of Planning for the Town of Abingdon for graciously providing maps, records, and a place to warm up, Dr. Charles Bartlett of Bartlett Geological Consultants in Abingdon for information and help, and the members of the Abingdon Master Gardeners Club for their enthusiasm about historic preservation. Nanci King of the Washington County Historical Society also provided invaluable help with maps and historical information. In addition, we would like to thank John Kern, Anne Beckett, and Margaret Peters at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources for their help in project coordination, Mr. Thomas Klatka for archaeological site and project information, and Ms. Suzanne Durham of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in Richmond for site file information. III. LIST OF MAPS, ILLUSTRATIONS, TABLES ++++++++++++++++÷++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Map 1: Map of Abingdon, Virginia ................................... 5 Map 2: Gray's Map of Abingdon,1880 ................................ 7 Map 3: Archaeological sites inventoried in Abingdon ....................... 37 Map 4: Proposed Depot Square Historic District .......................... 47 Map 5: Proposed Stonewall Heights Historic District ....................... 50 Map 6: Proposed Stonewall Jackson College Historic District .................. 53 Table 1: Properties Inventoried in 1997/1998 Survey ........................ 29 Table 2: Previously Surveyed Properties, Abingdon, Virginia .................. 60 Table 3: Abingdon, Virginia, Changes Noted Since Previous Surveys ............. 73 Figure 1: Vance's Tavern at 222 E. Main Street ........................... 10 Figure 2: Rev. Charles CummingsCabin at Sinking Spring Cemetery .............. 10 Figure 3: James Fields House at 208 W. Main Street ........................ 12 Figure 4: Virginia House Hotel at 208 E. Main Street ........................ 12 Figure 5: Frank Parker House at 224 Oak Hill Street ........................ 15 Figure 6: Gabled Ell dwelling at 315 Jamison Street ......................... 15 Figure 7: William A. Hassenger House at 333 Cummings Street ................. 17 Figure 8: Commercial buildings at Main and Court Streets including the Greenway Brothers Building at 180-182E. Main Street.............................. 17 Figure 9: William R. Cline House at 111 W. Valley Street built in the Tudor Revival style. 21 Figure 10: John L. Bradley House at 101 W. Valley Street ..................... 21 Figure 11: Barter Theatre on W. Main Street .............................. 24 Figure 12: Martha Washington Inn on E. Main Street ......................... 24 Figure 13: Hattie House Hotel at 130Wall Street ........................... 46 Figure 14: Streetscape on StonewallHeights ............ .................. 49 Figure 15: AbingdonHall built in 1921 ................................. 52 Figure 16: Retirementat 702 ColonialRoad ............................... 56 Figure 17: Acklandon Route 11 ...................................... 56 Figure 18: Dr. Earl Clapp House on Route794 ............................ 57 Figure 19: Lustron House, 253 Bradley Street ............................. 57 IV. INTRODUCTION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++4.++++ Abingdon, Virginia possesses a wealth of historic architecture from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The significance of its historic resources was recognized in 1970 when the Abingdon Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This initial nomination included an eight-block area along Main Street. In addition to its listing on the National Register, this district was also designated as a Local Historic District in 1971. The Abingdon Historic District boundary was increased in 1986 when an extension was approved for listing on the National Register. This extension was the result of a reconnaissance level survey along Valley, Main, and adjacent streets. This extension resulted in the inclusion of an additional twelve blocks containing approximately 138 contributing buildings. In 1997, the Town of Abingdon and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources funded a survey in order to provide information on other properties which may meet National Register criteria. Hired to perform this survey was Thomason and Associates, Preservation Planners, based in Nashville, Tennessee. This survey was completed in association with an Historic Preservation Plan for the community. The scope of work called for the inventory of one hundred properties within the town limits of Abingdon and the completion of forms in accordance with Integrated Preservation Software (IPS). This information was to be incorporated into recommendations contained within Abingdon's Historic Preservation Plan. The survey included properties both within and outside of the Abingdon Historic District. The survey concentrated on identifying those properties which may possess notable architectural and/or historical significance and groupings of properties which may meet National Register criteria as historic districts. The survey was conducted during the winter and spring of 1997 and 1998. The purpose of this project was to identify additional properties within the town limits of Abingdon which may have sufficient architectural or historical significance to meet National Register criteria. The survey was also intended to provide information for inclusion within Abingdon's Historic Preservation Plan. An archaeological assessment was completed to identify those areas or lots which may have high potential for archaeological sites. Such sites have the potential to yield valuable historical data and contribute to the town's tourism development. The survey data was also utilized to create a slide program to illustrate the town's rich architectural and historical heritage. This reconnaissance level survey and Survey Report were completed by Philip Thomason. Principal of Thomason and Associates of Nashville, Tennessee. Providing assistance in the completion of this project was Teresa Douglas, Preservation Planner of Thomason and Associates. Archaeological research and survey was completed by Zada Law, Archeologist of Nashville, Tennessee. This project was begun in October of 1997 and completed in October of 1998. Retirement Stonewall Jackson College Historic District Depot Square Stonewall Heights Historic District l]istoric District Grafton [_ Lustron House Oakland // ] / [] / ' j, ! 5-" _] ...../., " I > I z ; Ackland i ; , ] "-% Dr Earl Clapp _ -'. House ,. _ ._ - __ _\ _.. "''_, -- TOWNOFABINGDON Map 1. Map of Abingdon, Virginia. Shaded