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

Through My Lens - Farmville United Methodist Church & Confederate Memorial

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"A group began meeting in a building on this site in 1832. In 1833, the property
was conveyed for use by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first church
building was a small wooden structure. A brick church was built in 1839. Upon
finding out that 400 pounds of beeswax were needed to make the mold for the
medallion for the ceiling of the new church, Mrs. Pleasant Hubbard, a member of
the congregation, personally traveled throughout the county and collected the
needed beeswax. Encased in glass, this medallion is still on display in the church.
In 1907, when the congregation grew too large for the church, it was torn down.
The present brick building was completed in May 1908 and enlarged in 1953 and
again in 1963. The stained glass windows are memorials to deceased members."
(Copied from the Farmville walking tour)

"Plans to build a monument to honor Confederate heroes of the Civil War were
started by the Prince Edward Memorial Association at a meeting in the Old Opera
House in August 1895. This organization preceded the formation of the Farmville
Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and consisted of Confederate
Veterans and local county persons. The UDC Chapter formed in 1896 and took
the lead in raising $3,000 to erect the monument, a large undertaking when land
cost $2.50 an acre and an adequate size home cost only $1,500. The monument,
designed and erected by Petersburg Marble Works, is made of Virginia gray
granite, 19 feet in height. The bronze figure of the Confederate solider was cast by
Gorham & Co. and is seven feet tall. The monument was dedicated on Oct. 11,
1990. The speaker was Farmville native, Professor William T. Thornton, Dean of
Engineering at the University of Virginia, where the engineering building is
named in his honor."
(Copied from the Farmville walking tour)

A view from the side of the church. You can see the monument and Longwood University straight ahead.

Linking with Mersad's Through My Lens

Willy Nilly Friday 5 No. 70

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The restroom @ Benny's Pizza downtown

I've got more on Farmville for next week but I'm running late in getting Willy Nilly going tonight...so here's my 5:

1) A little weirdness: Slashed & Hidden From Sight: The Power of Cursed Paintings

2) I was always self conscious about my freckles as a kid: Photographer Captures the Beauty of Freckles in All Their Glory

3) I made this the other night and it was deeeeelish! Spice Rubbed Chicken Breast & Moroccan Herb Dressing

4) 100 Best Photographs Without Photoshop

5) Interesting to learn where phrases come from: Have You Ever Heard The Term Piss Poor?

Well that's my 5 for the week and I'm getting them in just right under the wire! I hope you will play along too! List 5 randoms, link up and visit others! Thanks so much and have a great weekend!!



Linking with Cath!

Friday Favorites

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.