Plunkettsville
Exploring Story Maps to illustrate historic buildings and character of the Staunton West End neighborhood, Plunkettsville
What is Plunkettsville?
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A Brief History
Dated 1884, a Hotchkiss Map of Augusta County includes the "Plunkettville" area and lists several landowners in the area including three properties owned by the Plunkett family.
In 1880, "Plunkettsville" a small suburb lay on the outskirts of Staunton, Virginia. First mentioned in Virginian newspapers in 1880, the term "Plunkettsville" appeared 155 times between 1880 and 1921. These references often provided routine mailing information for Plunkettsville residents, though several events that occurred in the town were notable enough to garner attention from larger Virginian newspapers. In Plunkettsville lived a family of masons, the Plunketts, who owned a business named "I.H. Plunkett & Son". According to city maps and records, Plunkettsville originally remained outside the boundaries of Staunton, often described by local journalists as "a city," "a city-suburb" or a place "on the suburbs of Staunton".
By the early 20th century, the city of Staunton incorporated Plunkettsville into its city limits, making the small suburb less distinguishable as a community. Today, most residents of Staunton are unfamiliar with Plunkettsville, its history, and where it is now.
Below is a brief history of the suburb as told by a local newspaper:
February 1896 in The Highland Recorder: "As New York City with Brooklyn attached will be called Greater New York, so will Staunton with Plunkettsville attached be called Greater Staunton."
- In 1891 the Staunton and Monterey mail carrier traveled to Plunkettsville as one of the locations on their mail route.
- In 1894 Plunkettsville was distinguished as one of five locations to which Staunton provided mail services.
- In 1895, amidst a smallpox outbreak, Plunketsville refused to quarantine itself from the city of Staunton while neighboring towns at the time did.
- In 1896 Plunketsville's relationship with Staunton was described as: "As New York City with Brooklyn attached will be called Greater New York, so will Staunton with Plunkettsville attached be called Greater Staunton."
June 1901 in The Richmond Times: "The post office at Plunkettsville, Augusta county, will be discontinued June 30th and patrons thereafter served by real carrier from Staunton."
- In 1897 the Odd Fellows Lodge of Staunton and Plunkettsville (also known as the Odd Fellows Lodge of Lewiston) was founded and mentioned several times in subsequent newspapers. Three years later the female counterpart to the Odd Fellows Lodge, the “Rebekah Lodge,” was founded.
- In 1901 the newspaper recorded that “the post office at Plunkettsville, a city suburb, has been abolished, and the district annexed to the Staunton office.” From that point on, a rural carrier delivered mail to the citizens of Plunkettsville.
- In 1902 there was talk of establishing a company for the purpose of piping water to Plunkettsville and Lewiston.
- In 1910, citizens of Plunkettsville and North Augusta Street joined together to advocate for a fire-fighting force.
The Plunkettsville Namesake: Who were the Plunketts?
1880 Hotchkiss map of Augusta County included the names of three lots in Plunkettville owned by members of the Plunkett family.
It has been presumed that the name of the area "Plunkettsville" comes from the Plunkett family name. On the left, this 1880 map highlights the properties of J.H. Plunkett, L.H. Plunkett, and I.H. Plunkett & Son. According to Confederate Company roll records, three Plunketts from the Staunton area enlisted in the army as privates. In 1861, John H. Plunkett (26) and Lysander H. Plunkett (20) enrolled in the army. A year later, William A. Plunkett (17) joined as well. All three Plunketts were listed as masons, distinguishing themselves from the common occupation of "farmer." In 1862, Lysander H. Plunkett of the "Augusta Greys," sustained a wound in battle, though continued serving and fought in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
May 1885 in The Staunton Spectator: J.H. Plunkett died from a fatal accident which left him paralyzed for several days. Many came to his funeral and many were employed by him
Of these three Plunkett men, John H. Plunkett was mentioned most frequently in local newspapers. After his time in the Confederate Army, he placed advertisements in newspapers from 1863 until 1864 stating that he was looking to rent a farm for a year or longer. He offered to pay rent or pay by sharing a portion of the crops he produced. Later in 1878, city records indicate that John owned multiple lots in western Staunton. He also remained an active member of the political scene, as he ran as a candidate in multiple elections though had varied success. In 1883 for instance, he served as a Justice on the county court for Peaco's Mill in Beverly Manor. By one newspaper article, he was referred to as a "readjustor politician," which referred to the short-lived Virginian political party that aimed to "readjust" the state's debt to focus more on funding schools and publically-owned facilities. The Readjustor party also strove to repeal poll taxes which actively suppressed voting by Black people and poor whites of society.
Within Staunton, J.H. Plunkett owned his own carpentry shop and held recognition as a notable building contractor. In 1885, Plunkett accepted a contract to aid in the construction of a 3-story storehouse across the street from the Staunton Court House. In that same year, however, John H. Plunkett died in an accident after his horses were spooked by an oncoming rain on his way home. At the time, a local newspaper wrote that the funeral had extensive attendance, including those he employed because he was an "active and kind citizen".
Following his death, a relative assumed control of John's carpentry business, and worked side-by-side with another contractor, R.S. Clark, the owner of a Plunkettsville-based business called "R. S. Clark Brick Works". Later in 1888, Plunkett and Clark were chosen to build a new school for Black children.
The Historic Architecture of Plunkettsville
An approximate boundary for mapping the historic resources of Plunketsville.
Notable Architecture within Plunkettsville
Notable Architecture within Plunkettsville . Click to expand.
1411 W Beverley St.
1411 W Beverley St.. Click to expand.
Built before 1954, this one-story pair of rectangular buildings was once Jim Swats Atlantic Service Station. Box-type gas stations such as this one were seen as futuristic, efficient, and professional to people in the 1950s. https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/46-gas-stations.htm
1600 W Beverley St
1600 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a commercial one-story brick building with a concrete foundation and a built-up overhanging flat roof owned by the Marquis Methodist. On the building’s front facade are three groups of tall vertical ribbon window panes separated by two small bays. Each ribbon window grouping includes a glass door. The westernmost window group contains the main centered entry door. The doors of the other two window groupings are both left-centered. The east side of the building includes a group of three single-paned windows above a brick-raised garden bed. The southern-facing wall of the building has an exposed brick facade and an asphalt driveway running against it.
1511 W Beverley St
1511 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Built in 1947, this two-story industrial, flat-roofed building has parapet walls. The masonry building is clad in brick veneer, with a stepped concrete foundation accommodating a sloped lot. Symmetrically dividing the façade includes two storefronts, each with a recessed glass entry flanked by storefront display windows. Vertical window panels are below a transom of eleven square windows. Between the storefronts is a recessed wood entry door with a divided light transom window. Above the door is a masonry panel with "Rohr 1947" in raised letters.
1609 W Beverley St
1609 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Sited below Beverley Street, this is a two-story log house with a side gable roof, a central chimney, and a full-width one-story porch. Replacement siding covers the structure. Two second-floor horizontal window openings are fitted with replacement slider windows. The front porch includes a shed roof, square posts with brackets, and a modern deck rail balustrade. The depth of the façade windows indicates the wall depth of log construction.
1614 W Beverley St: Marquis Methodist Memorial Church
1614 W Beverley St: Marquis Methodist Memorial Church. Click to expand.
This mid-century modern church was built to accommodate the growing congregation of the Marquis Methodist Church which had previously congregated at a church built in 1898 on the same lot. The church includes four connected buildings and a large parking lot in the southwest section. The main church structure and two conjoined buildings were constructed between 1964 to 1965. Asbury Hall, located on the southwest section of the lot was constructed in 1952. Asbury Hall is connected to the rest of the church structures through an exterior enclosed corridor that features multiple stylized arches. The four gable-roofed buildings are constructed with cinder-block foundations and walls of masonry stucco over brick. Of note is the masterful use of concrete as decorative and structural elements. A church tower rises above the yard including a groined vault roof and decorative screen block infill.
1615 W Beverley St
1615 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story American Foursquare style frame house with a masonry foundation. Architectural features include a hip standing seam metal roof with central dormer, cornice with wide fascia, a full-width one-story front hip roof porch with Tuscan columns and square picket balustrade. The first and second floors include double hung sash windows. Of note are a set of paired two over one double hung sash windows in the roof dormer. A transom window and sidelights frame the front door.
1625 W Beverley St
1625 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a three bay, two-story wood frame house with a hip standing seam metal hip roof and a corbeled brick masonry chimney. The façade has a one-story, shed roof porch with square pickets and turned spindle porch posts. The house is sheathed in replacement siding and includes replacement windows.
1631 W Beverley St
1631 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story, frame house with gable roof and end chimney. This is a vernacular house form similar to 1609 West Beverley Street. Note the half height, horizontal window opening on the second floor. Undergoing a remodel, the house has a new snap lock seam roof with ridge vent, vinyl siding and replacement windows. The survey photo records the first floor windows were three over one, double hung wood sash. New one over one, vinyl replacement windows have replaced the older windows.
1618 W Beverley St
1618 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This property has been the site of numerous auto-filling stations dating back to at least 1921. Current structures are a fuel canopy, sales kiosk, and office. Four steel posts situated on concrete curb islands support the metal fuel canopy. Under the fuel canopy is a flat, faux mansard roofed kiosk with a metal cornice, brick foundation, and divided glass walls. Situated at the back of the lot is a small brick office building with a flat faux mansard roof, steel entry door, and a single window.
1634 W Beverley St
1634 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Built before 1962, this is a three-bay, two-story frame house with a brick masonry foundation. Architectural features include an end gable roof covered with standing seam metal, a wide overhanging eave with brackets, and brick end chimneys. The façade includes a full-width, one-story porch with hip roof. Supported on brick piers with lattice skirts, the porch includes turned post and a balustrade with square pickets and molded railing. Double-hung windows flank the central entry with half-light door, transom and sidelights. Three double-hung windows repeat the fenestration on the second floor with the center window flanked by sidelights.
1638 W Beverley St
1638 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a three-bay, two-story frame Italianate style house with brick masonry foundation. Architectural features include a hip standing seam metal roof, wide overhanging eaves with brackets, twin brick interior chimneys, and a full-width one-story porch. The facade includes a full-width, one-story porch with hip roof. The porch includes turned post and a balustrade with square pickets and molded railing. Double-hung, six over six, interior tape division replacement windows flank the central entry. The entry includes with divided light door, transom and sidelights. Three double-hung replacement windows repeat the fenestration on the second floor with the center window flanked by sidelights. The sidelights appear to retain the historic wood windows.
1642 W Beverley St
1642 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Built before 1964, this is a vernacular wood-frame one-story house with a brick foundation. Architectural features include a complex hip roof covered with standing seam metal, four brick chimneys, and a full-width one-story porch that wraps around the façade. Supported on brick piers with lattice skirts, the porch includes a balustrade with pattern-sawn pickets, shaped railings, and square columns. Double-hung, one over one, replacement windows flank the central entry. The entry includes with divided light door, transom and sidelights.
1642 W Beverley Street
1642 W Beverley Street. Click to expand.
Built by 1954, this structure likely served as a country store or similar business according to the West Beverly Entrance Corridor Guidelines. 1642 W. Beverly is a one-story frame structure with a raised brick foundation. The end gable roof with return eaves is covered with standing seam metal. The brick foundation steps up the slope to the back of the building. The façade features what appears to be an original wood storefront with recessed entry flanked by wood, divided light display windows. The storefront is composed of rail and style construction with lower raised panels. The entry includes double front doors with lower panels and transom above. A shed roof with wood support brackets projects over and protects the storefront. Access to the entry is provided by a prominent set of concrete steps with pipe railings supported by an irregular course ashlar stone base.
1650 W Beverley St
1650 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story wood-framed Italianate-inspired structure built on masonry foundation with stucco finish. Architectural features include a standing seam metal hipped roof, a wide overhanging eave, a brick chimney on the roof’s slope, and a full-width one-story porch on the structure's facade. The porch sits on a raised foundation and is composed of a metal visor that matches the roof in material, simple square railings, and porch supports. On the first story of the facade there is a double-hung window framed by shutters next to a two-over-four paned entry door with a transom window. The entry door is on the structure’s west side. On the second story are two double-hung windows framed by shutters. The structure is sheathed in Dutch lap vinyl siding.
129 Straith St
129 Straith St. Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story American Foursquare style house with a standing seam metal hip roof with wide eaves, a central hip dormer with paired windows, and a side brick chimney. The house is clad with stucco. A full-width one-story front porch wraps around the east side including a hip roof, wide eave, and square columns. Under the porch is a set of paired windows and side entry. Fenestration includes both single and paired, double hung sash windows.
130 Straith St
130 Straith St . Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story American Foursquare style house clad in brick masonry. The hip roof is covered with standing seam metal and includes a central hip dormer with paired, divided light windows, and a side brick chimney. The façade includes double hung, four over one light windows, a full-width one-story front porch with square brick columns and lattice underpinning. Within the porch area is a set of paired, four-over-four windows and entry with sidelights and transom.
133 Straith St
133 Straith St . Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, one-and-a-half story, frame Cape Cod house with a steep gable roof including a pair of gable dormers with six over one light sash windows. Clad in shingles, the house includes a protruding entry bay with sidelights and divided light entry door. The first floor windows include trim and sills with divided light sash. A brick foundation supports the house while a random course ashlar wall of native stone retains the front yard. Of note is a secondary, single story L plan structure, built in the same style, at the rear of the drive.
132 Straith St
132 Straith St. Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story frame, gambrel roof house with flared eaves and end chimney. The roof is covered in standing seam metal and includes a shed dormer with windows extending the width of the house. Extending over the porch, the main roof covers the porch below with simple square railings and square columns. A central door entry with sidelights framed is flanked by double hung windows with shutters. The house is sheathed in aluminum siding.
143 Straith St
143 Straith St . Click to expand.
This is a single bay, one-and-a-half story frame house with a river stone veneer. Architectural features include an end gable roof with standing seam metal and a central stone chimney. A double-hung window is centered in the end gable. An open front porch extends across the façade, covered by a hip roof supported with square wood columns. The columns rest on matching rubble stone piers with concrete caps. The central front door is flanked by double hung windows. Extending slightly above the front roofline, a rear addition appears to be of modern construction and covered in horizantal vinyl siding.
148 Straith St
148 Straith St . Click to expand.
Possibly constructed between 1890 to 1910, this is a two-story, 2 bay, Victorian house with a complex hip roof covered in standing seam metal. The façade is dominated by a polygonal tower topped with a pediment. A one-story porch with a standing-seam metal shed roof, wraps around the eastern half of the facade and the eastern side of the house. The house features six four-over-one double-hung sash windows in the tower, paired set under the porch and a single centered on the second floor. Tapered wood columns resting on brick piers support the porch. Simple balustrade with square pickets fills between the piers. The entry door within the porch area also has a four-over-one double-hung sash window.
165 Straith St
165 Straith St . Click to expand.
This is a single bay, one story frame house with brick veneer. The end gable is covered with shingles with a central ventilator. A hip roofed front porch is centered in the middle third of the façade. Tapered wood porch columns rest on brick masonry piers with concrete caps. The central entry door is flanked by double-hung windows.
173 Straith Street
173 Straith Street. Click to expand.
Identified as the "Genesee" house model from the Standard Home Plans for 1926. It is a two-story frame house with an end gable roof and a central shed dormer. The shed dormer features a ribbon of three, sash windows. Brackets support the overhanging eaves. Centered in the middle third of the façade is a single story, gable roof porch including tapered wood columns resting on brick masonry piers. A balustrade with square pickets and molded rail fills between the piers. The entry steps are located at the side of the porch. A brick end chimney is located on the east side.
181 Straith St
181 Straith St . Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half story bungalow-inspired structure that was founded on simple masonry foundation. Architectural features include a full-length one-story porch covered by a hipped visor, a shingled hip-on-gable roof, and a centralized brick chimney on the roof’s ridge. The porch sits on a raised foundation decorated with lattice and is held up by square columns connected by simple square railings. Within the porch area is a centralized entry door and two double-hung windows. The sides of the structure feature double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in Dutch lap vinyl siding.
177 Straith St
177 Straith St. Click to expand.
This is a three-bay, two-story Victorian-style structure founded on a poured concrete foundation. It is likely the oldest structure on its street. Architectural features include a standing seam metal gable roof with eave returns and a central gable, a full-width one-story front porch with a hipped roof, and a brick chimney on the roof’s ridge. The wooden porch is held up by Tuscan columns that are connected by simple square railings. Within the porch are two two-over-two double-hung windows and a centralized front door. On the second story are three two-over-two double-hung windows. There are circular ventilators on all three gable peaks. All other sides of the structure include two-over-two double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in traditional Dutch lap vinyl siding.
204 Straith St
204 Straith St. Click to expand.
This is a three-bay, two-story brick house. Architectural features include a hip roof covered with standing seam metal and three brick masonry chimneys. Tuscan columns resting on brick bases, including balustrade, support a single-story porch with a hip roof extending across the façade. The central entry includes a transom window and sidelights. Flanking the door are double-hung two-over-two windows. The second story includes three double-hung, two-over-two windows framed within segmental arch openings. A flat roofed one-story addition attaches on the north side.
203 Straith St
203 Straith St . Click to expand.
This one-and-a-half-story wood-framed bungalow-inspired structure was founded on a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a shingled-clipped gable roof, a full-length one-story porch covered by a clipped gable roof, and a brick chimney on the roof’s slope. The porch is supported by two square columns connected by simple square railings. Within the porch area is an entry door to the south of two double-hung windows. The sides of the structure feature double-hung windows of various sizes. The structure is sheathed in wood pint Dutch vinyl siding.
205 Straith St
205 Straith St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story pyramidal-hipped four-square structure founded on cinder block coated in a stucco finish. Architectural features include a one-story shed-roofed addition on the east side, brick quoin and brick frames around the structure’s windows and door, a small entryway shed-roofed porch, and a brick chimney on the roof’s ridge. The hipped roof features a centralized hipped dormer with a panel of three single-paned windows. The porch area is held up by metal poles which are connected by metal railings. Within the porch area is an entry door. On either side of the porch are double-hung windows shaded by metal awnings. At the front of the lot, there are stone steps and a stone path that leads to the entrance porch. The structure’s addition is sheathed in vinyl siding.
1703 W Beverley St: Kitchen Cook'd Potato Chip Co.
1703 W Beverley St: Kitchen Cook'd Potato Chip Co.. Click to expand.
This is a one-story warehouse owned by the Kitchen Cook’d Potato Chip Company. Originally constructed between 1944 and 1948, this is a concrete block structure encased in metal siding. The facility consists of two buildings with the older structure at the corner of Highland Street and West Beverley. A large warehouse building with five loading bays extends to the east.
Untitled tour point. Click to expand.
Historically the address for the Potato Chip Factory was 1717 West Beverley Street. Designed by T.J. Collins and Son in 1945 - File # 4517
1705 W Beverley St
1705 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Built between 1940 and 1944 this is a one-story flat-roofed service station. Hills Directory notes the address in 1944 as 1725 West Beverley, the location of Floyd W. Baily's filling station. The east end of the façade includes three metal garage doors separated by engaged pillars. The west end of the façade includes a central door with flanking square storefront windows. A tall signboard rises above the entry door extending above the roof. The building is constructed of concrete block with the front façade encased in later siding material.
1711 W Beverley St
1711 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Built before 1955, this box structure is made from concrete blocks and used as an automotive garage. The garage's facade features one centralized garage door. To the east of the central garage door is an entry door and a triple-paned window. There are four sixteen-paned windows on the garage’s west side and one on the west side of the facade. The east side of the garage contains another door and three mismatched windows.
1745 W Beverley St
1745 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-story, wood-framed structure with a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a gable roof with eave returns that is pitched higher on the northwest section, a gabled wall dormer on the east side, and a bracket-supported gable above the entry door. The gable roof and dormer are covered in standing-seam metal and the high-pitched northwest section of the roof is covered in shingles. The entry door has a three-over-three-paned window. The structure has windows of different sizes and a number of panes on all sides and is sheathed in painted wood siding.
1801 West Beverley - Whitmore's Gulf Service Station
1801 West Beverley - Whitmore's Gulf Service Station. Click to expand.
New owners made a wonderful discovery when removing later exterior materials. They uncovered the original Whitmore’s Gulf Service Station. Hills Staunton Directory indicates the first mention of Whitmore’s Gulf Service in 1959. Clad in enameled steel, this is a single-story commercial service station. Currently, a gable roof with asphalt shingles tops the structure. Based on historical sources about period service stations, the building originally had a flat roof.
79 S Waverley St
79 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
Built before 1968, this flat-roofed brick structure sits on a concrete foundation. To take up changes in elevation, the northern part of the structure steeps to reveal another story that is not visible from the Plunkett Street entrance. The structure includes two doors on the second story which are no longer accessible due to a lack of stairs and two divided light steel awning windows. The side entrance door on the west side of the structure has lost the original steps to access the entranceway.
112 S Waverley St
112 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
This wood-framed, one-and-a-half-story structure sits on a brick foundation with a lattice cover on the porch. Architectural features include a standing-seam metal gable roof with a cross-gable on the roof’s south side, a flat-roofed one-story addition on the structure’s south side, and a shed-roofed porch on the structure’s facade. The standing seam metal shed porch roof is held up by two square pillars connected by simple squared railings. The porch also has a lifted deck with wooden posts as support. There is a brick chimney on the main gable’s southern slope. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding. There is a poured concrete walkway that leads to the entrance of the porch.
109 S Waverley St
109 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, wood-framed structure that sits on a cinder block foundation. Architectural features include a hipped roof with a central hipped dormer, a brick chimney on the roof’s slope, and a one-story porch. The porch has a hipped roof held up by Tuscan columns connected by decorative patterned concrete blocks. The front entry door is centralized and flanked by a double-pane window framed by shutters on either side. The dormer has two side-by-side double-hung windows. The sides of the dormer are decorated in embossed shingles. The other sides of the structure also have double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding.
116 S Waverley St
116 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-story wood-framed structure built on a concrete block foundation. Architectural features include a standing-seam gable roof, a large gabled dormer on the southernmost side, an open hip-roof porch, and a shed-roof addition on the back of the structure. There is a brick chimney on the roof’s gable ridge and on the slope of the shed addition section. The structure’s addition is covered in shingles as opposed to metal. The gabled dormer features two double-hung windows. The front porch sits on a raised cement platform and it features metal railings and decorative metal poles. Within the porch area is a centralized front door with a double-hung window on either side. On the second story of the structure’s facade are two double-hung windows. There are several double-hung windows on the other sides of the structure. The structure is covered in aluminum siding. Also on the lot is a one-story garage structure with two garage doors.
117 S Waverley St
117 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-story, three-bay Bungalow style structure that sits on a simple masonry foundation. Architectural features include a low-pitch side-gabled standing-seam metal roof with a centralized gabled dormer, a porch area under the extended gable, and two brick chimneys along the roof’s ridge. The extended gable eave is held up by piers with heavy sloping sides that sit atop brick stacks. Within the porch area is a centralized door with a double-hung window on either side. On the gabled dormer above is a ribbon of three single-paned windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding and features several double-hung windows on its other sides.
132 S Waverley St
132 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
Built in 1960, this is a two-story wood-framed brick structure built on a simple masonry block foundation. Architectural features include a front-facing gable on the northern half of the facade, a side-facing gable on the southern half of the facade, and a porch area under the extended side of the side-facing gable. In addition, there is an arched cutout on the porch’s front wall which allows for the front entry door to be seen from the street. The porch area is supported by two square columns built on brick stacks. Within the porch area is an entry door and a set of two double-hung sash three-over-one windows. On the other walls of the structure are various other single and paired double-hung sash three-over-one windows. The roof is covered by shingles. There is an uncut, no-course stone wall, and a set of steps at the front of the lot.
144 S Waverley St
144 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay bungalow-styled structure built atop a masonry brick foundation. Architectural features include a front-gabled roof, an elevated porch with a shed roof, and a short brick chimney on the roof’s ridge. The porch sits on a raised foundation decorated with lattice and is composed of square columns and simple square railings. Within the porch area are an entry door and two double-hung windows. The structure is covered in vinyl siding.
148 S Waverley St
148 S Waverley St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay wood-framed bungalow-styled structure built atop a common brick foundation. Some of the architectural features include a front-gabled roof, an elevated porch with a shed roof, and a short brick chimney on the roof’s ridge. The porch sits on a raised cement foundation and is composed of decorative columns and simple square railings. Within the porch area are an entry door and two double-hung windows. Above the porch is a centralized double-hung window. The roof is covered in shingles and is held up by brackets where it overhangs. There is a decorated bargeboard decorating the edge of the gable. The structure is covered in vinyl siding
169 Bellview St
169 Bellview St . Click to expand.
This is a two-story, three-bay wood-framed structure that sits on a granolithic concrete foundation. Architectural features of this building include a side-gabled roof that is flared in the back, a large shed dormer that almost spans across the whole roof, and a one-story full-length shed-roofed porch. The roof is covered in shingles and the side of the structure is sheathed in aluminum siding. The dormer includes two double-paned windows. The porch sits on an elevated cement platform and is held up by metal decorative poles and railings. There are a number of single and paired double-hung windows on all sides of the structure. The lot is surrounded by a wall made from uncut stone which includes a centralized set of uncut stone steps.
155 Belleview St
155 Belleview St . Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay wood-framed structure that sits on a cement brick foundation. Architectural features include a standing-seam metal side-gabled roof with one central front gable, a one-story full-length porch with a shed roof, and a centralized chimney on the roof’s ridge. The porch sits on an elevated porch decorated by lattice and is held up by thin decorative wooden poles that are connected by simple squared railings. Within the porch area is a central entry door flanked by two double-hung windows. The roof’s central gable features a circular ventilator.
154 Bellview St
154 Bellview St . Click to expand.
This is a two-story, three-bay cape-cod style structure founded on a masonry brick foundation. Architectural features include a side-gabled shingled roof with three gabled dormers and a one-story full-length entry porch with a centralized pediment held up by simple Tuscan columns. The structure’s chimney sits on the roof’s back slope. On either side of the centralized pediment is an awning that covers the sides of the front porch. Within the porch area are simple square railings that enclose the space, a centralized entry door, and a pair of double-hung windows on both sides of the door. The three dormers display a single double-hung wing.
153 Bellview St
153 Bellview St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay wood-framed structure built on a granolithic cement foundation. Architectural features include a side-gabled standing-seam metal roof, a one-story porch with a front-facing-gabled roof, and a brick chimney along the roof’s ridge. The side and front-facing gables are both overhanging and supported by brackets. The porch area is held up by piers with heavy sloping sides that sit atop brick stacks. Within the porch is a central entry door. On either side of the porch is a double-hung window. The structure is sheathed in wood siding.
132 Bellview St
132 Bellview St . Click to expand.
This is a one-story gable-roofed structure with a one-story shed roof. the foundation is a simple masonry brick foundation. The structure's chimney sits on the roof's slope. The interior of the porch is hidden by large bushes that obscure most of the structure. Above the shed-roofed porch are two central three-over-one double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding.
135 Bellview
135 Bellview . Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half-story wood-framed structure that sits on a foundation of masonry brick. Architectural features of this building include a shingled gable roof with a shed-roofed central dormer, an extension of the roof that serves as a roof for the one-story porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's ridge. The dormer features three double-hung windows. The porch is supported by piers with heavy sloping sides that sit atop concrete blocks that have simple squared railings attached to them. Within the porch area is an entry door and a double-hung window. There are many double-hung windows on all sides of the structure. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding.
130 Bellview Street
130 Bellview Street. Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half story bungalow-style structure on a cpoured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a gambrel roof with wide eaves supported by brackets, a front-gabled dormer with wide eaves and brackets, and a one-story shed-roofed front porch. The roof is covered in shingles and the structure is sheathed in wood siding. The gabled dormer includes two double-hung windows. Within the porch area is an entry door and four-over-one double-hung windows. The porch is elevated and supported by shingled supports that sit atop a cement wall that encloses the porch.
118 Bellview Street
118 Bellview Street. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay structure composed of masonry brick with brick quoins. Architectural features include a front-gabled shingled roof, a one-story porch with a shed roof, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The shed-roofed porch is elevated and decorated with lattice. It is held up by square columns atop brick columns. Within the porch area is a centralized entry door with a double-hung window on both sides. There are multiple double-hung windows on all other sides of the structure.
105 Bellview St
105 Bellview St . Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay structure with a poured concrete foundation. The structure was built on an inclination, allowing for the basement to be accessible from an entrance on the north side. Architectural features include a front-gabled corrugated roof, a one-story porch with a hipped corrugated roof, two brick chimneys on the roof's ridge, and a gabled dormer on the north side. The shed-roofed porch is elevated on wooden supports and held up by decorative wood columns connected by simple squared railings. Within the porch area is a centralized entry door with a double-hung four-over-four window on either side. There are multiple four-over-four double-hung windows on all other sides of the structure. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding apart from the area within the gable's point which is shingled.
102 Bellview St
102 Bellview St . Click to expand.
This is a two-bay, two-story American four-square style structure built on a masonry brick foundation. Architectural details include a standing seam metal-hipped roof with wide eaves, a full-width one-story wrap-around front porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The porch stands on a raised concrete platform decorated with lattice and wraps around the structure's front and north sides. The porch is held up by decorated wood columns and topped with a hipped metal visor. Within the porch area is a double0hung window north of the front door. On the second floor of the facade are two double-hung windows. The other sides of the structure include several double and single-paned windows.
1906 W Beverley St
1906 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This two-story, three-bay abandoned residence has fallen into disarray in recent years. Architectural features include a standing seam metal-hipped roof, a partial one-story front porch with a hipped roof, and two brick chimneys on the roof’s slope. The wooden porch is held up by square columns that are connected by simple squared railings. Within the porch are two two-over-two double-hung windows and a centralized front door. On the second story are three two-over-two double-hung windows. All other sides of the structure include two-over-two double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding
1907 W Beverley St
1907 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half story, three-bay Tudor-style structure built on a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a side-facing gable roof covered in shingles, a mid-facade gable that juts out from the rest of the structure and dominates the facade, and a front-placed brick chimney coming out of the mid-facade gable. The ends of the gable roof are clipped. The mid-facade gable features the front entry door and a double-hung window on either side. There are double-hung windows on all other sides of the structure as well. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding.
2001 W Beverley St
2001 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This one-and-a-half-story, three-bay bungalow-style residence was built in 1929. It was built on a brick foundation that steeps towards the back of the structure due to changes in elevation. Architectural features include a side-gabled roof with wide eaves held up by galvanized brackets, an extended roof that covers the full-length one-story porch, and two brick chimneys that are centralized on the roof's ridge. Lattice is visible on both sides of the steps that lead to the porch. Holding up the porch roof are four square columns that sit atop brick bases which are connected by simple squared railings. There is a set of two double-hung windows on either side of the centrally located front door. Above the front door is a large front-gabled dormer with a set of windows of the same size. The house is covered in vinyl siding.
2008 W Beverley St
2008 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
Built in 1946, this is a one-story, three-bay Tudor-style structure built on an uncut regular course stone foundation. Architectural features include a side-facing gable roof covered in shingles, a mid-facade gable that juts out from the rest of the structure and dominates the facade, and a front-placed chimney coming out of the mid-facade gable. There is also an open porch area with a balustrade on top of the east side of the structure. The entire structure is covered in cut stone. The mid-facade gable features a front entry door and a circular window. On both sides of the entry door are two metal-paned windows.
2010 W Beverley St
2010 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This is a two-story wood-framed structure built in 1924. the foundation of this building is brick stacks and a poured concrete foundation to provide additional support. Architectural features include a hipped shingled roof and a shed roof above the first-story facade. The first story is covered in a brick veneer and longer than the second story on top of it which is sheathed in Dutch lap vinyl siding. the structure has a large addition on the back. The structure features many four-over-one double-hung windows.
2015 W Beverley
2015 W Beverley. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay bungalow-style structure built atop a fired brick foundation. Architectural features include a front-gabled roof, an elevated porch with a shed roof, and a short brick chimney on the roof’s ridge. There is also a gable on the eastern side of the structure. The porch sits on a raised foundation decorated with lattice and is held up by piers with heavy sloping sides that sit atop brick stacks. Within the porch is a central entry door. On either side of the porch is a double-hung window. The structure is sheathed in wood siding.
2017 W Beverley
2017 W Beverley. Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay cape-cod style structure that was built upon a masonry brick foundation. Architectural features include a side-gabled shingled roof with a gabled dormer, a one-story full-length porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The front porch is covered by a standing-seam metal shed roof that is held up by piers with heavy sloping sides connected by simple squared railings. Within the porch area is a centralized entry door with a double-hung window on either side. The house is sheathed in wood siding.
2019 W Beverley
2019 W Beverley . Click to expand.
This is a two-story, two-bay structure that was built on a poured concrete foundation with a plaster coating on the outside. Architectural features include a shingled side-gabled roof, a shed dormer that stretches across the entire width of the roof, and a shingled shed visor that shades the first story of the structure. There is an entry door topped by a pediment in the middle of the structure's facade. On either side of the entry door is a double-hung window. On the dormer above there are two double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in aluminum siding.
2122 Cherry street
2122 Cherry street. Click to expand.
Built in 1930, this one-story structure sits on a poured concrete foundation with a layer of stucco. Architectural features include an embossed metal gabled roof, a shed-roofed one-story porch that wraps around three sides of the structure, and two brick chimneys. The structure features many four-vertically-paned windows. The entire structure is covered in stucco.
2203 W Beverley St
2203 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This one-story flat-roofed art-moderne structure was built on masonry brick and is actively an autobody shop. The structure includes multiple metal garage doors and a large storefront door that wraps around the curved corner of the structure. The roof structure is flat with a parapet, and it has a vertical projection on the roof used to advertise the shop.
2207 W Beverley
2207 W Beverley. Click to expand.
This one-story commercial structure serves as a fast-food restaurant. The foundation is made from poured concrete. Architectural features include a flat roof with parapets and a deck-roofed addition. The sides of the deck roof are covered by shingles. The structure is covered in vertical vinyl siding.
2210 W Beverley St
2210 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This brick structure has been around since the 1930s at the latest. Originally, it used to serve the neighborhood as Morrison and Sons Grocer, but today it is a doggy daycare. The building roof is flat with parapets, stepping down in increments towards the back. On the building's facade is a sheltered full-width one-story porch that is covered by a shed roof. There is a point of entry on the eastern side of the building.
2210 W Beverley continued
2210 W Beverley continued. Click to expand.
This small structure is located to the rear of the lot. It has appeared in Sanborn Maps as late back as 1920. It has a standing-seam metal gable roof and reads "C.K. Morrison & Sons, 1938, Groceries Feed Hardware" on its side.
2214 W Beverley Street
2214 W Beverley Street. Click to expand.
Entrance Corridor Overlay Description: Retail storefront and warehouse, Ca. 1930, appears in the 1954 aerials: Totalling 20, 971 square feet, this building is located in the 2200 block, immediately adjacent to the previous Morrison and Sons Grocer. Although the difference in square footage of the two adjacent buildings is over 19, 000 square feet, they appear in scale with one another when viewed from West Beverley Street. This building is a good example of what may be accomplished using changes in topography to build a large structure into the existing landform while appearing to be in scale with a much smaller adjacent building. Like the adjacent structure, the building is painted brick and concrete block, includes windows on all above-ground elevations, is two stories, and includes a flat roof with parapets.
2225 W Beverley St
2225 W Beverley St. Click to expand.
This modernistic structure was built in 1959. Architectural features include a brick façade, a mismatched selection of doors and windows, and a flat overhanging roof supported by exposed roof beams. The roof sits at an angle on the structure. The construction of the walls to have this roof structure makes the building much taller in the front than in the back.
2216 Noon St
2216 Noon St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story structure with a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a roof consisting of a side and front-facing gable, an arched cutout for entry to the porch area, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The roof is shingled and the walls of the arch are covered in stucco. There is a small enclosed porch area for the entry door. There are multiple four-over-one double-hung windows on the side of the structure.
2220 Noon St
2220 Noon St. Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half story two-bay Bungalow style structure that sits on a masonry brick foundation. Architectural features include a side-gabled shingled roof with a centralized gabled dormer, a porch area under the extended gable's side, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The extended gable is held up by piers with heavy sloping sides that sit atop brick stacks. Within the porch area is an entry door and a pair of three-over-one double-hung windows. On the gabled dormer above are brackets under the gable and a pair of three-over-one double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding and features several three-over-one double-hung windows on its other sides.
2221 Noon St
2221 Noon St. Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half-story, three-bay structure that sits on a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a side-gabled shingled roof, a central gable above the entry door, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The gable above the entry door is supported by decorated wooden poles. On the structure's facade is an entry door and three six-over-six double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding and features several six-over-six double-hung windows on its other sides.
2303 Noon St
2303 Noon St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story structure that sits on a poured cement foundation. Architectural features include a side-gabled corrugated metal roof, a bracket-supported gable above the entry door, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. On the structure's facade is an entry door and three six-over-six double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding and features several six-over-six double-hung windows on its other sides.
110 Grubert Ave
110 Grubert Ave . Click to expand.
This is a two-story, three-bay structure that sits on a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features include a clipped side-gabled shingled roof, a clipped gable-roofed one-story porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The porch is supported by two square columns sitting on brick stacks that are connected by simple square railings. Within the porch area are a centralized entry door and two double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding and features several double-hung windows on its other sides.
2008 Orange St
2008 Orange St . Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half-story, three-bay structure that sits on a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features included in this structure are a side-gabled shingled roof, a from gable-roofed porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The gable-roofed porch features eave returns and is supported by square columns that sit atop brick stacks. On the structure's facade is an entry door and two three-over-one double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in wood siding and features several three-over-one double-hung windows on its other sides.
2013 Orange St
2013 Orange St. Click to expand.
This building is a one-story, three-bay structure that sits on a masonry brick foundation. Architectural features of the building include a side-gabled shingled roof, a front gable-roofed porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's slope. The gable-roofed porch is elevated and is supported by square columns that sit atop brick stacks. On the structure's facade are an entry door and three double-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding and features several double-hung windows on its other sides.
2002 Orange St
2002 Orange St . Click to expand.
This is a one-story, three-bay structure that sits on a cinder block foundation. Architectural features of this building include a side-gabled shingled roof, a front gable-roofed porch, and a brick chimney on the roof's ridge. The gable-roofed porch is held up by square columns that are supported by brick stacks. On the structure's facade are an entry door and two triple-hung windows. The structure is sheathed in vinyl siding and features several triple-hung windows on its other sides.
1913 Orange St
1913 Orange St . Click to expand.
This is a one-and-a-half-story brick structure founded on a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features of the building include a side-gabled roof that extends to serve as the roof of the one-story porch and as a prominent front chimney next to the porch. The porch sits on an elevated brick platform, and its roof is held up by square columns connected by metal railings. Within the porch are an entry door and one six-over-six double-hung window. The structure features many six-over-six double-hung windows on its other sides.
112 Gray Ave
112 Gray Ave . Click to expand.
This is a two-story, three-bay cape-cod-style structure supported by a poured concrete foundation. Architectural features included in this building are a side-gabled shingled roof with a central font-gable and a brick chimney on the roof’s slope. On the structure's facade is a centralized entry door, and a pair of three-over-one double-hung windows on either side of the door. There are many three-over-one double-hung windows on all sides of the structure. The house is covered in a brick veneer apart from the area within the central gable which is shingled.
107 Gray Ave
107 Gray Ave. Click to expand.
This is a two-story, three-bay cape-cod style structure foundation that is poured concrete. Architectural features of this structure include a side-gabled shingled roof with two gabled dormers, a one-story full-length entry porch, and a brick chimney on the roof’s slope. The front porch is covered by an extended roof and an awning. Within the porch area are simple square railings that enclose the space, a centralized entry door, and three-over-one double-hung windows on either side of the door. The two dormers display a single three-over-one double-hung window at their center. There are many three-over-one double-hung windows on all sides of the structure. The exterior of the house is covered by a brick veneer.
2001 First St
2001 First St. Click to expand.
This is a one-story structure built on a fired brick foundation that with a standing seam metal gable roof. The brick foundation steps towards the front of the structure are there to account for changes in elevation. The structure’s facade features a hip-roofed porch and an elevated entryway flanked by two sets of stone steps. Within the porch area, there is a centralized front door flanked by double-hung windows.
History of Kit Homes
What is a Kit Home?
This image is from the Homes of Today catalog.
Throughout the turn of the 20th century, mail-order catalogs were used to advertise a plethora of goods, from sewing machines to cooking stoves and home decor, consumers looked to these catalogs for the solution to many of their problems. At a time when most families could not afford to buy large, expensive homes, kit houses became a popular way for families to customize their homes. Land developers were also invested in the kit home business model, as they could create neighborhoods and affordable housing through economic means. Home buyers ordered kit homes from a catalog, then paid for them through the mail. Most people picked their homes up from the closest train depot as they were sent by rail anywhere across the country. Manufacturers advertised kit homes as homes with simple building plans and offered options on how to customize the house through floor plan changes, specific fixtures, or materials.
Kit homes were also available in a variety of sizes and designs, from small cabins to large extensive estates. Assembly kits usually included pre-cut lumber, hardware, paint, and other necessary supplies. Manufacturers did not include things like concrete or brick for foundations, as those needed to be locally sourced because it was costly to deliver by rail. For the erection of a kit home, hired contractors were an option though by building the home by oneself, it was more affordable and allowed for further customization.
Who were the Manufacturers?
These homes were advertised as early as 1830 during the Gold Rush of the American West and achieved widespread popularity through mail-order catalogs in the early 1900s. There were several mail-order home manufacturers, including Sears, Hodson, Alladin Homes, Montgomery Ward, and Roebuck & Company. Between 1912 and 1916, a highly-influential American architect, Frank Lloyd Wright designed kit homes for the American System-Built Houses program to make affordable housing widely available. While Wright attempted to make the construction of single-family homes more affordable, Sears searched for a way to increase the number of sales in their home-building department. The pre-fabricated home became the solution to both problems.
The Rise in Popularity
The kit home fits nicely into the American Dream of the 1900s which emphasized home-owning as the epitome of citizenship. Shopping for a kit home afforded buyers the opportunity to make their dream a reality. Sears and Roebuck & Company alone offered 370 different models of homes between 1908 and 1940. Sears advertised that a house could be built in just 90 days, making home ownership attainable for much of the working and middle class.
Prospective buyers browsed the catalog for floor plans, accent pieces, and kits, picking out every detail of the house. This could be as small as a lighting fixture or adding windows. By personally furnishing their new homes, they created a standard for single-family living and drove sales for the company.
Real estate developers recognized the cost-benefits of kit homes as they could save money on labor costs and retain a higher margin of profits. In many neighborhoods created by the industry, companies built homogenous homes, often reversing floor plans, adding dormers, and creating just a few differences to make each house slightly different from the one next door. The simple construction plans used building techniques such as balloon framing, that allowed for swift builds across myriad projects.
This image is from the Homes Of today catalog
With the rise of working and middle-class populations, more people had the opportunity to buy a home. At the same time, federal housing regulations were imbued with Jim Crow-era statutes, often passing over prospective Black home-buyers and newly settled immigrants for mortgage loans. Although, kit home manufacturers attempted to make home ownership available to anyone as they presented their own financing options. Sears and Roebuck & Co., two of the most well-known manufacturers, offered different payment plans with low-interest rates and established their own farm-lean program. Their applications did not contain a race or ethnicity section, ensuring that it was not a barrier to securing a loan. Such payment plans gave people the chance to own a better house because they did not have to pay for a home in full nor did they have to deal with the high-interest rates of loans from banking institutions. In addition, loans typically incorporated the cost of the land, bundling the payment into one large loan.
Following the Financing
Due to structural changes occurring in Staunton, securing financing for homes was difficult. Despite the popularity of building and loan associations run by kit home manufacturers, the Arlington Mortgage Company was formed as a bank available for lenders. Its formation came in the wake of company-wide decisions made by Sears and Roebuck & Co. during World War II.
The Fall
The Great Depression placed a major strain on kit home manufacturers because it started a trend of higher loans to value ratio. These high loans were often not feasible for a single family, as inflated prices would economically debilitate a family. Companies such as Sears and Roebuck & Co., lost millions of dollars as orders dwindled and had stockpiled inventory rotting away in their warehouses.
In 1933, Sears and Roebuck & Co. stopped offering home financing programs which decreased their sales further. During this period of economic depression, people were distrustful of banks and were thus uninterested in purchasing a home if their loans had to be from a bank. Some customers felt that the companies were trying to force them to use the bank's mortgaging systems. Public companies were faced with resource restrictions on buildings and real-estate developments. Many businesses faced restrictions on buildings and resources available to the public and construction companies.
With the onset of World War II in 1935, the government began to ration resources and supplies. These restrictions made it nearly impossible to build commercially. The creation of the Federal Housing Administration, FHA, further hampered Sears and Roebuck & Co. sales because it instituted a list of requirements that the construction of homes had to adhere to. Most of the homes that Sears offered already fit the requirements, but it made the construction of homes arduous and time-consuming which negated the purpose of buying a kit home in the first place.
How to Identify a Kit Home
There are some simple ways to see if your home is a kit home, many of which you can do some of them in under 10 minutes!
Here are some of the classic architectural features of Kit Homes
Useful Resources and More Detailed Steps
- When was your home built?
- If your home was built between 1908 and 1935, there is a good chance it is a kit home. An easy way to check the age of your home, you can look at your property records, or you can see when it was built on a city planning book. Below is a link to the Staunton city records of deeds which can give you a start.
- Vision Government Solutions (vgsi.com)
- Find a catalog that corresponds with the year your home was built
- There are only a few internet archives that have the catalogs digitized, below is a link to one that has over 1,500 catalogs from different manufacturers.
- Within this archive, you can do specific searches by manufacturers, dates, material type, and much more! https://archive.org/details/buildingtechnologyheritagelibrary
- Is your lumber stamped?
- When checking these stamps, be careful to see if they look older than more modern stamps.
- Most of the time you can find lumber stamped on the sides that face outward since the stamps served as directions for the construction workers to complete the project.
- There are 3 main areas in your home to find these stamps which are the attic, basement, and crawl spaces of your home. The spaces typically are unfinished and have many of the beams, and floor joists exposed for you to look at.
- Are there shipping labels?
- These labels can provide critical information about your home. They can tell us who built the home, what model, what company, and the date of issue.
- These labels can also be found on certain light fixtures, under the deck, and on the original roof.
- Are there stamps on the crown molding or baseboard?
- Sears and Roebuck & Co. would typically have a small stamp on these decorative pieces since they won't be a major focal point when entering the room. You may have a stamp if you see a small circle with an SR.
- These markings can also be found on other fixtures in the home as well, such as, the bathtub, sink, and back or insides of cabinets.
- Here are some useful links:
- Modern English Style - No. 3031 - 1920s House Plans by the Southern Pine Association (antiquehomestyle.com)
- http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/plans/montgomery-ward/1930/30mw-astoria.htm
- Staunton, Virginia: More Amazing Finds | Sears Modern Homes (searshomes.org)
- https://historicstaunton.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/HSF-Brown-Bag-House-Research.pdf
Examples from the list above
Locations of Kit Homes
Where can We find these Kit Homes?
Historic Staunton Foundation created a map to display their findings using Google Earth
The Plunketsville area has the highest density of kit homes in the northern part of the area. Most of the kit homes are within a 1.53 square mile area, which poses some questions about the development of the area. When developers bought large areas of the property, they tended to buy these kit homes in bulk to place on the land for families to move in. The same is true for individuals who bought the land themselves. Neighbors would talk about building a home, and in this area, often spoke about kit homes. This communal discussion led to many people ordering houses together to save on shipping costs since they could link orders and have them delivered at the same place and time.
Austin Ave
Built up in early 1915, Austin Ave became home to many delivered kit houses well into the 1930s. Property records and deeds indicate the presence of a developer who took advantage of the ease of ordering and assembling kit homes to move clients in. Other developers bought open plots of land to build homes themselves. This explains Austin Ave's unique look, as classic kit homes were placed beside custom-built houses.
Augusta County sold land across different zoning ordinances, which aided in the development of community ties not only in this area but in the Plunkettsville area. As one of the first areas to be developed, residents have enjoyed the beauty and history of Austin Ave. Community members have attempted to ensure all homes are well-kept so they can preserve the area's small-town charm.
Thompson Street
Located on the eastern side of Plunkettsville, Thompson Street contains the highest density of kit homes. Akin to Austin Ave, the southern half of the street had been bought out by developers, whereas individuals bought the northern part. The presence of kit homes became integral to the formation of a community bond, as they instilled a sense of equality amongst its residents. It is apparent that the community's bond has passed the test of time, as it stands even today.
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