Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 9, 1993 TAG: 9312090393
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This historic community traditionally opens several homes to the public at this time of the year as a fund-raiser for Old Southwest Inc., a neighborhood organization.
Proceeds will be used to help restore the Gish house, which the group leases from the city of Roanoke.
A variety of architectural styles and points of interest are perennial features of the tour. All structures are within easy walking distance.
The tour begins at the Boxley House, 324 Washington Ave., a brick Colonial Revival structure under renovation. The stately building was saved from demolition earlier this year when it was purchased at auction by Jack Altizer. The law offices of Altizer and Altizer will occupy the house when restoration is complete.
Three homes on Mountain Avenue also are on the tour. This year's "work in progress" is a Victorian home at 201 Mountain, built around 1901.
The building will become both residence and office space for its new owner and features original light fixtures and an ornate paneled staircase in the foyer.
A 1906 Queen Anne-style house at 542 Mountain has a six-bay wrap-around Craftsman-style replacement porch, unusual for this type of dwelling.
A walk to 603 Mountain brings you to a classic American Foursquare, built in 1909. The house features novelty siding, a pyramidal hipped roof and a hipped dormer.
Highland Square Condominiums are the first condos to be included in the tour. New hardwood floors, gourmet kitchens, designer baths and new fireplaces combine the warmth of an older structure with modern conveniences.
An English Arts and Crafts movement (or Craftsman) house at 536 Allison Ave. was built in 1921 for $5,000. This home includes the use of contrasting wood and brick, beams and a multipane French door entry with beveled glass panes.
A Georgian Revival residence at 509 Allison Ave., built in 1913, features a nearly completed third floor attic art studio. Identical stairways reach all the way from the first to the third floors.
On Woods Avenue, number 357 was built as a typical urban row house. It became part of a restoration project to modernize older houses while complementing the neighborhood. It includes a front-facing gable with a roof pitch similar to the older historic buildings adjacent to it.
Built in 1907, the Americn Foursquare/ Queene Anne home at 359 Woods Ave. has the original full-facade front porch with columns partially removed to add a garage. A dropped center front gable with recessed arch and oval window also add interest.
The tour runs on Saturday from 5 until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 until 5 p.m. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased only on the day of the tour at 324 Washington Ave. or at Lotz Funeral Home, 1001 Franklin Rd. Maps will be provided. Residence owners and volunteers of Old Southwest Inc. will be available to answer questions.
by CNB