Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 71

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Some random snaps from Farmville (yes..still sharing Farmville pics...I just loved the place so much!)
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We wanted to eat here but they closed just as we were making our way across the street...maybe we just looked too rowdy for them ;)

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Found out in someone's yard...this is a college town afterall...

That's my 5 this week!! Now it is your turn...post 5 randoms, link back and visit others!


I'm linking with Cath

Signs, Signs & A Good Fence - Farmville

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Thornton House . 309 Beech Street . Farmville

"The lot was purchased at auction April 21, 1836, by Mary T. Riddle, the first
woman to purchase property in her own name in the town of Farmville. The
house, built in 1756, was sold in 1839 to Colonel John T. Thornton, CSA. John
and Martha Thornton had three sons: William M. Thornton was a Professor of
Mathematics, Chairman of the Faculty, and Dean of Engineering at the University
of Virginia; James R. Thornton was an honor graduate of Hampton-Sydney
College and taught Mathematics there; and Harrison R. Thornton became a
teacher and missionary to Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska (he was killed in 1863,
the only missionary to Alaska slain by a native Alaskan. Colonel Thornton was
killed in 1862 at the Battle of Sharpsburg, Md. General Lee paid a brief
condolence visit to the widow and children of Colonel Thornton at their home on
April 7, 1865." From Farmville Walking Tour

I love tree swings...but wait...what's the sign say? Let's zoom in...

Kinda unbecoming...I know it's not my house but really, when your house is listed on a historical tour, wouldn't you be a little less...what's the word?...tacky? Poor tree!

Linking with Tex's Good Fences & Signs, Signs

Berkley-Hardy House

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303 Beech Street . Farmville

"Constructed in 1840, this house is the best example of federal style architecture in
Farmville. William Randolph Berkley, an attorney, a Lt. Colonel in the
Confederate States Army, and a trustee of Hampton-Sydney College, purchased
the property in 1871. He and his brother, Robert R., were the grandsons of
William Berkley, a Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Robert R.
Berkley, an attorney and physician, was a Colonel on the staff of Governor
William E. Cameron. Berkley later became the editor of the Farmville Journal
and was the first editorial and news writer of the Farmville Herald. Dr. Thomas
G. Hardy and his wife purchased the property at 1920 and improved and enlarged
it. The house is now leased to Longwood University." From the Farmville Walking Tour

Braden reading the history of the house to us. The boys were annoyed that I made them take turns reading about each building we came to haha

Tuesday's Treasures - The Jackson House

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304 Beech Street . Farmville

Patrick Henry Jackson was a wealthy tobacconist and a staunch supporter of the Confederate States. The first part of this house was built in 1837.

"On April 6, 1865, General Robert E. Lee and his staff spent the night on the lawn of this house. They
were served CONFEDERATE coffee (chicory) as they strategized the Army of Northern Virginia’s next
move following their overwhelming defeat at Sailors Creek." Taken from the Farmville Walking Tour

Linking with Tom's Tuesday's Treasures

Signs, Signs & Good Fences @ Longwood University in Farmville

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The original Ruffner Hall was built in 1839 but sadly burnt down in the "Great Fire of 2001" which you can read about HERE

For more info on Longwood University visit their website HERE

Linking with Signs, Signs & Good Fences

Farmville - Poplar Hall & The Doyne Building on Main Street

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"The building is approximately 160 years old and still bears scars on the brick façade at the front of the building where cannon balls struck the building.
On the 5th and 6th of April, 1865, the noise and commotion of war approached Farmville from the East as Union troops marched in pursuit of Lee retreating west towards Lynchburg.
During the retreat, Lee’s troops fired artillery rounds from the nearby Appomattox River striking the front of the Tavern then located in the Poplar Hall building.
The rounds hit directly between the second floor windows scarring the brick facing of the building that can be still seen to this day.
It is believed that both Lee and Grant spent time in the building immediately prior to the surrender in nearby Appomattox." Copied from HERE

Built in 1887 as the first mortuary in Farmville.

Craddock Terry & LOVE in Farmville

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This old warehouse sits right across the street from yesterday's warehouses. Originally a tobacco warehouse, then later the Craddock Terry shoe factory. I've shown the the Craddock Terry building in Lynchburg HERE and to read more about this neat old warhouse CLICK HERE

There were a lot of people and dogs out enjoying the warmer temps!

And I found a LOVE sign, you know how much I "love" that! We used to do "family day" every Sunday which meant the kids couldn't have plans and would be drug around with us and forced to enjoy the day haha...well now that Ashlyn and Christian are adults the only ones participating in family day now is Braden and Dalton. Ashlyn has mentioned how much she now misses family day (funny because they all complained about it every Sunday) and luckily she came home from school Sunday just as we were leaving so we took her along with us. Christian however had a football game later he was playing in and since he still lives at home doesn't really miss spending time with us yet so he didn't have to go with us.

On another note, today is Braden and Dalton's 14th birthday! I let them stay home from school today and so they are still sleeping. In a couple of hours I'm taking them to the movies to see Ride Along 2, their choice, then downtown to Benny's Pizza for some lunch, their choice again, then to the mall for a little shopping. Christian is coming along for this fun though as he doesn't have classes today but now Ashlyn is back up at JMU for school but will be back sometime later today (JMU is only an hour and a half away)...hard to get all 4 kids together in one spot now that they are all older...I miss those baby years!

Linking with Our World Tuesday

Through My Lens - Farmville Mill & First Streets

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Sunday was nearly 70 out so we headed to Farmville which is about an hour and a half drive in Prince Edward County.

A great fire in 1898 destroyed all of the original early 19th century riverfront warehouses.

These warhouses were built in 1899.

In 1837, Farmville was the 4th largest tobacco port in Virginia. Tobacco was stored in the warehouses until it could be shipped down the Appomattox River Canal to Petersburg on bateaux.

Linking up with Mersad's Through My Lens