2014 Virginia's Most Endangered Historic Place

or the tenth consecutive year, Preservation Preservation Virginia’s proposed recommendation THREAT: The Southside Roller Mill’s private owner Jarratt House, Pocahontas Island Virginia presents a list of Virginia’s Most to counter each challenge. Individual and community struggles to maintain and shield the structure from the ravages of time and weather, but, as in many rural towns, Endangered Historic Sites to raise awareness support are integral to rescuing each endangered F funds are generally insufficient for feasibility planning of places that face imminent or sustained threats to site. Saving each site starts with identifying the and rehabilitating the structure for a new community use. their integrity, or, in some cases, their very survival. challenge and bringing resources to resolve the issues. SOLUTION: Historic rehabilitation tax credits (worth up Virginia’s This listing is intended to bring attention to the Help us find solutions to these endangered sites to 45% of eligible expenses) could provide the economic threats described and to encourage individuals by getting involved. Bristoe Station Battlefield incentive needed to successfully finance a project to Most and organizations to continue to advocate for and repurpose the mill for a new community use. come to reasonable solutions for the protection and VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELDS VIRGINIA’S “SIDESTEPPED” TOWNS: Endangered preservation of Virginia’s historic places. SIGNIFICANCE: The Bristoe Station and Williamsburg COLUMBIA AND PAMPLIN CITY On the following pages are the 2014 most endan- To learn what you can do to help save these important Battlefields are examples of Virginia’s oft-threatened SIGNIFICANCE: Modes of transportation and routes Historic gered sites in Virginia. There is a brief description of places, please contact Justin Sarafin at (804) 648-1889, Civil War landscapes. Bristoe Station Battlefield is the of commerce have affected settlement patterns and each site as well as the particular threat it faces and ext. 317, or [email protected]. site of two significant battles: the August 27, 1862 the growth and decline of communities over the DONATE Today Sites 2014 Battle of Kettle Run, and the October 14, 1863 Battle of course of Virginia’s history. From waterway travel and Bristoe Station. The Battle of Williamsburg was the first trade on rivers and canals, to the railroad network, to major land battle of the Civil War’s Peninsula Campaign. the major roadways of the 20th century, towns reliant on agricultural or industrial commerce have faced In addition to spreading the word and getting involved, THREAT: Both battlefield sites are threatened by encroach- ing development, both immediate and longer term. Since declining employment and population due to the shifts another excellent way to show your support and save these the early 1990s, over 2,000 acres of the Williamsburg in patterns of circulation. endangered places is by making a meaningful gift. Each Battlefield have disappeared, which prompted the Civil The Town of Pamplin City contribution directly supports Preservation Virginia’s work War Trust to list the site as “at risk” in 2010. was once a thriving center of commerce located at with Virginia’s Most Endangered Sites Listing program. SOLUTION: Revisiting the zoning contexts in which these the confluence of two cultural landscapes appear may help to more effectively major rail lines at the Help Preservation Virginia save these endangered places. align the goals of local governments, citizenry, the devel- Appomattox and Prince opment community, and historically-minded organizations. Please visit www.preservationvirginia.org/give Edward county line, and The local community should continue to work together once home to the Pamplin or contact Will Glasco at (804) 648-1889, ext. 303, toward a solution that will allow for development without Pipe Factory, the largest Columbia, Virginia or [email protected]. destroying this hallowed ground. Overall, community- manufacturer of clay based solutions are needed to adequately balance pipes in the United States at the time. The historic landscape preservation with modern development. resources of Pamplin City include ten brick buildings located along Main Street, built after a fire swept SOUTHSIDE ROLLER MILL through the town in 1909, and the vacant Park Hotel, located nearby. SIGNIFICANCE: Southside Columbia was chartered as a town in 1788 with Roller Mill is a rare surviving Preservation Virginia the first post office established in 1793. From the example of an early 20th 204 West Franklin Street opening of the James River and Kanawha Canal in century commercial/industrial Richmond, VA 23220-5012 1836 until the start of the Civil War in 1861, Columbia building with all of its functional experienced its most successful economic period. (804) 648-1889 interior elements intact. The Subsequent development of the railroad and floods in www.preservationvirginia.org ENDANGERED mill played a key role in the life Waterloo Bridge, which crosses 1880 and 1887 contributed to Columbia’s slow decline, of Chase City, stimulating the the Rappahannock River between followed by the filling in of the canals by late 1888. local economy by providing Culpepper and Fauquier The 20th century brought two more large floods and agricultural milling services COVER: Bristoe Station Battlefield the cessation of rail service. and employment. ENDANGERED THREAT: The Towns of Columbia and Pamplin City are HISTORIC SCHOOLS IN VIRGINIA THREAT: While the PHLEGAR BUILDING THREAT: The public-private Revitalize RVA Plan contem- similar in that their historic periods of greatest prosperity mountain is under (OLD CLERk’S plates intensive construction and redevelopment within SIGNIFICANCE: Approximately 800 historic school are behind them, as a result of evolving patterns of conservation easement, the Shockoe Bottom flood plain, including a stadium and buildings exist throughout the Commonwealth. With the OFFICE) circulation and modes of transportation. Today, the and is well-loved by storm water flood-control infrastructure. These activities continued abandonment of historic, community-based SIGNIFICANCE: Listed buildings along Pamplin’s Main Street are currently used both Roanoke citizens are likely to adversely impact historic and archaeological school buildings for newer, centralized schools, this in the National Register, for storage. Together with the and its caretakers, the resources that are listed or eligible for listing on the building type faces an unknown future. The Phlegar Building nearby Park Hotel, the historic City of Roanoke’s National Register of Historic Places. The James River is described as Mont- fabric suffers from deferred THREAT: Increasingly frequent calls for the closure or The Old Concrete Road Department of Parks gomery County’s best SOLUTION: The City of Richmond and its development maintenance or neglect, having demolition of historic school buildings across the state and Recreation, it is SOLUTION: The National Trust for Historic Preservation example of a late-19th-century law office, a rare example partners are urged to avoid taking any action for the been uninhabited for years. include specific examples in Loudoun County: Aldie recognized that the “rubble” retaining walls lining the named this resource to its 2013 list of America’s 11 Most that contributes to the historic fabric of downtown Revitalize RVA project that may disturb or harm resources Similarly, the historic structures Elementary and Middleburg Elementary have been under road are suffering from deterioration and damage in Endangered Historic Places and recently as one of its Christiansburg. It consists of the one-story, two-room before the federal Section 106 review and consultation along St. James Street are sited in threat of closure for decades, while Arcola School, a multiple spots, due to root intrusion, normal freeze/thaw 100 National Treasures. The Section 106 process with the Montgomery County Clerk of Court Office built in process (which will allow for analyzing alternatives and a federally recognized flood plain 2008 Most Endangered Site listing, is still threatened with cycles, and general wear and tear. Army Corps of Engineers should proceed properly and 1812 in its front lower section with the second floor, ensuring a plan for appropriate development and preserva- and remain in poor condition. demolition by neglect. in a timely manner in order to find a suitable alternative SOLUTION: We encourage park users and local partners Eastlake-style double porch, and rear section that were tion of the historic assets) is complete. SOLUTION: Pamplin City should that balances the need for more service to the region and SOLUTION: In 2014, Delegate Surovell offered legislation like the Mill Mountain Advisory Committee to continue to added circa 1898. continue its work to make the the unique historic, scenic, and natural assets of the that would create an inventory of schools over 50 years work with the City of Roanoke to develop a proactive THREAT: Deferred maintenance has taken its toll on the WATERLOO BRIDGE town the terminus for the High area. A coalition of groups is supporting this effort and old that would be used to determine, in consultation with approach to a sustainable maintenance plan for this iconic exterior of the building and the lack of a preservation plan Bridge Trail, which runs through includes Preservation Virginia, the National Trust for the Department of Historic Resources, their register

Load more