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Old South Side Houses Get Less Official Recognition
BY DENA SLOAN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Elizabeth Johnson had a hunch over the years that her South Richmond house was home to some pretty substantial history.
But between taking care of her family and her job as a registered nurse, there wasn't much time to dig into records about the small white structure on Bramwell Road off Hull Street Road near Chippenham Parkway.
It was only after retiring in the 1980s that Johnson, now 87, had the chance to pore over documents showing that she and her husband raised their three children in a building that has likely been around since before the American Revolutionary War.
The house is one of a number of 18th-century houses in South Richmond whose histories have not been officially documented and that are being used as private residences. Some are in neighborhoods that have fallen on tough economic times, possibly contributing to the lack of attention to other historic Richmond buildings north of the James River.
The Johnson home, also known as Laurel Meadow, was built in the 1750s or 1760s and occupied by David Patteson, a delegate to Virginia's 1788 Constitutional Convention, according to the book "Old Manchester & Its Environs, 1769-1910" by Benjamin B. Weisiger III. The 1993 book details the history of buildings in the area now known as South Richmond.
Despite its historical value, the property isn't found on any historic registers or lists. Its centuries-old fireplaces and floorboards are not protected from alteration or demolition.
Doug Johnson recently bought the house from his mother. He hopes to restore his childhood home, which has declined over the years. But there's no guarantee that similarly historic buildings will receive such treatment.
Unlike plenty of graceful Church Hill and Fan District homes, there are a handful of old houses south of the James River whose histories aren't officially recognized.
A spot on a historic list doesn't always provide legal protection against being bulldozed or falling into disrepair. But recognition of a building's historic value can offer leverage to those trying to safeguard such properties.
This issue of preserving undocumented historic houses came to the forefront this summer when Richmond developer John Nolde received a permit to demolish the 18th-century Patteson-Schutte House at 5600 Westower Drive off Forest Hill Avenue.
According to Weisiger's book, the house was constructed in the mid-18th century by James Patteson, an associate of early Richmond settler William Byrd III. James Patteson, who died in 1767, was the uncle of David Patteson who lived at Laurel Meadow.
Nolde said he didn't realize the historic value of the house, which is in need of repair and whose exterior is covered with white aluminum siding.
He revamped his development plans to preserve the house when neighbors objected to his intentions to build new homes on the property. The Historic Richmond Foundation is in the process of buying the house and placing it under protective easements.
"We certainly need to implement some protection for [historic houses] before another Patteson-Schutte debacle occurs," said Jennie Dotts, executive director of the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods.
Some preservationists worry that declining neighborhoods surrounding some historic South Richmond houses could spell trouble for the old buildings. Historic research hasn't been completed on some, so it's challenging to ensure that they will be protected. Plus, there might be more out there that preservationists don't know about.
"We've always felt houses south of the river were step-children. They're kind of the last on the list [to be studied and preserved]," said Pattie Grady, a member of the Chesterfield Historical Society who has researched historic houses and cemeteries in Chesterfield County and South Richmond for years. "I keep saying when I get the time . . . [I'm] going to walk down every street in South Richmond and see what's there."
Some historic structures were cleared away after World War II to make room for new development, she said. Others such as British Camp, a 1750s house originally on Iron Bridge Road at Walmsley Boulevard in Chesterfield that was annexed into Richmond's borders, was moved to Goochland County, where it has since been restored.
Even though the Patteson-Schutte House will remain standing, some local preservationists worry that the area's other unprotected historic buildings, such as Laurel Meadow, could eventually be lost to development or neglect. It's up to property owners to decide whether or not to nominate buildings for historic registers, to preserve or demolish them.
Doug Johnson said his mother had thought about nominating her house for a historic register, but nothing came of it. He said he doesn't plan to subject himself to the paperwork required for such recognition.
Another house that has never made any official historic lists is the graceful home on Beddington Avenue that has belonged to former Judge James E. Sheffield of Richmond Circuit Court for about 30 years.
Known as Brookbury, the large white house is thought to have been built before the American Revolution, according to documents filed at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. City records say it was constructed in 1752. Former slave quarters remain on the property.
Antiques dealer Vernon Creekmore isn't certain about the exact age of his home, a former plantation house on South Kinsley Avenue. City records say it was built in 1800. According to Creekmore, the previous owner said his research showed it dates back to the 1780s. It was renovated in the 1970s, Creekmore said, but the floors and some doors, locks and window frames are original.
In his years involved with antiques, Creekmore said, he's seen too many historic houses and items destroyed because the owners didn't realize their value.
"They're lost because of ignorance," he said.
Even when there are safeguards in place, a historic building can still fall into disrepair. The Weisiger-Carroll House in the 2400 block of Bainbridge Street is thought to have been built during the mid- to late-18th century. Richmonder Harvey McWilliams bought it seven years ago after a previous owner defaulted on a loan and the house sat empty for a few years.
The house was already on the national and state historic registers, and preservation easements had previously been granted to prevent the building from being torn down. But it wasn't until McWilliams poured a couple of years and about $30,000 into repairs that the property was returned to its current welcoming condition.
"Even though it's on the register, that doesn't mean someone's going to keep it up," he said.
Contact staff writer Dena Sloan at dsloan@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6860.