Lexington Daily Photo

Hiatus

2009-04-19T22:13:00.005-04:00

Taking a short hiatus ... posting will resume in a few days.

Courthouse resolution #3: Materials

2009-04-18T07:55:00.004-04:00

Third in my series of "10 things I can find to like about the new Rockbridge County Courthouse" at Nelson and Randolph streets: The final design incorporates characteristic Rockbridge area granite (dark grey prominently veined with white), red brick (an ubiquitous building material in these parts) and the white Tuscan columns so often seen on local Roman Revival buildings (albeit ersatz, alas -- you can see the vertical seams quite clearly in person).

This view is from Nelson St., looking toward what used to be Davidson Park.

Bird curve

2009-04-17T07:55:00.001-04:00

Some clever person outfitted this guard rail on Monticello Rd. with a series of birdhouses, linking the cul-de-sac to the fields and views beyond.

Edwardian style

2009-04-16T07:55:00.005-04:00

The arts and crafts style seems to have arrived in the valley in the 1920s. This 1928 house is at the corner of Jordan St. and Highland Rd.

Rockbridge scene

2009-04-15T14:51:00.002-04:00

A brick pier at the entrance to the drive of an old house in Rockbridge County.

Wildlife

2009-04-14T10:48:00.002-04:00

The Bear Building on Main St., c. 1828, under a mackerel sky.

Red door

2009-04-13T09:29:00.004-04:00

A perfect little 1928 cottage at the "new" end of Jackson Avenue.

Church on Sunday: Boxwoods

2009-04-12T07:55:00.005-04:00

The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Main St. hides its c. 1850 manse from view.

The church, built in 1963, is sited on what was once the long front lawn of a Gothic Revival cottage on South Main St, formerly known as "Boxwoods." The church's use of an existing Gothic building as a manse for a much newer church building resembles St. Patrick's Catholic Church and rectory on Nelson St. -- both cottages are even painted a similar shade of yellow.

A very Happy Easter to all!

(Here's a closer look at "Boxwoods":)

That time of the year

2009-04-11T07:55:00.001-04:00

An afternoon Little League game at the Waddell playing fields.

Fourteen by sixteen

2009-04-10T07:55:00.001-04:00

This tiny 1871 house at the corner of Davidson and Short streets is only 16 feet wide by 14 feet deep, according to city records.

Solid footing

2009-04-09T07:55:00.002-04:00

Another in my series of shots under Lexington's bridges.

This is the main Nelson St. bridge, which runs adjacent to the new courthouse. The construction of the courthouse has given a whole new feel to this spot -- you may now arrive here from a set of steps beside the courthouse door. Directly underneath the bridge the ground has been paved, but in both directions it is a road to nowhere. (This bridge spans a wide swale, not a stream or river.) A strange place, but not without attractions.

Courthouse resolution: #2

2009-04-08T07:55:00.003-04:00

The grilles screening the parking levels at the new courthouse make an interesting pattern against a blue-grey sky.

Back in January I made a New Year's Resolution to find 10 things I can like about our new Rockbridge County Courthouse, which finally opened for business last month. I do like these grilles, which are set in openings in the sides of the attached parking garage.

OK -- 8 more to go. Among the many things I don't like about the building: Anybody else think that the Halls of Justice should not have revolving doors?

That light again

2009-04-07T07:55:00.003-04:00

My favorite light (the setting sun) shines on the side of a Victorian era house above North Main Street.

This is a third look at a building I've become a little fascinated with. See other views of it (in the morning and at midday) here and here.

Man and nature

2009-04-06T07:55:00.003-04:00

The spring house at Brushy Hill preserve.

The city of Lexington owns over 500 acres in Rockbridge County, about three miles from town, kept as a nature preserve, with former logging roads now forming a network of trails. This old stone spring house (with its shiny new roof) sits down by Union Run, next to the small parking area. It's a little bit of man-made that is not out of place in its natural surroundings, I think.

Church on Sunday: Zack

2009-04-05T07:55:00.003-04:00

Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Zack (built 1879), dressed for Easter.

This clean white clapboard church, with its churchyard in back, is the larger of two in tiny Zack. The other, and a little about Zack, here.

March of time

2009-04-04T07:55:00.003-04:00

English ivy creeps up the turret of a hundred-year-old house.

Though it can't be good for the siding, I love to see vines growing like this on buildings, and wish there were more of it around town. If I could find some "vine eyes," - small metal eyes which slip into the mortar joints between bricks, through which can be threaded wires for non-clinging vines - I'd try to grow flowering vines like cross vine and jasmine on the outside of our house. As it is, we have to tear back our ivy every year to keep it from damaging the brick.

Just east of town

2009-04-03T07:55:00.003-04:00

Another view of the spring fields off of Old Farm Rd.

One of the great pleasures of living in Lexington is that only a few minutes' drive from the center, in almost any direction, takes one into some of the most beautiful country in Virginia. It is even possible to walk out along a few of the less-traveled roads, without resorting to a car at all. The scene above can easily be reached by foot (if you like walking).

Runner up

2009-04-02T07:55:00.003-04:00

In my search for yellow around town I also found these empire yellow walls at Hamilton Robbins on Main St.

The image of the arch-top window in the display is echoed in the reflections of both the courthouse and the R.E. Lee Hotel across the street.

Theme Day April 2009: Yellow

2009-04-01T07:55:00.003-04:00

A spring display in the window of Pumpkinseeds, at the corner of Washington and Main.

Today is the first of the month, and daily city bloggers around the world are posting on the April theme: Yellow. Many shops around town have displays featuring yellow at the moment, so there was much to choose from. This shot had a special appeal for me.

To see how other bloggers have interpreted the theme, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Zack

2009-03-31T07:55:00.003-04:00

The signpost for the rural locality of Zack, with Walker's Creek Community Church in the background.

At the far north boundary of Rockbridge County - about 20 miles from Lexington - lies Zack, here amidst the green fields and leafless wooded hills of early spring. This settlement, though tiny, has two churches! (I'll post the second next Sunday.) One church hosts services Sunday mornings, the other offers three services on Sunday afternoons -- at 1, 3 and 5pm. Other than the farms, the firehouse, a handful of "interlopers," and a surfeit of natural beauty, that's about it for Zack. The old store and gas station are no longer in operation.

According to a local resident, underneath the vinyl siding above is a log structure close to 175 years old.

Late afternoon again

2009-03-30T07:55:00.001-04:00

A front porch on White Street catches the setting sun.

Church on Sunday: A different view

2009-03-29T07:55:00.003-04:00

The back side of the Randolph Street Methodist Church has but three openings: a red door (with sidelights), a small Gothic window, and an even smaller round window up top. Makes you wonder what's up there....

(The front has a much larger window.)

This photo was taken from the east end of the Nelson St. bridge.

Stairway to...

2009-03-28T07:55:00.003-04:00

...not heaven, but the parking lot.

The stair inside the cupola at the Lenfest Center for the Arts at Washington and Lee leads to a bridge over Nelson St., and the parking garage beyond. The distinctive railings, with circles forming a top border, are used throughout the campus.

Post office frieze

2009-03-27T07:55:00.002-04:00

The frieze over the entrance to the post office on Lee St.

The U.S. government erected this building at the corner of Nelson and Lee streets between 1911 and 1913. The land had formerly been the grand front lawn of the house of Samuel McDowell Reid, built 1824. (The Reid-White house is still there, its original front door now facing the unlovely back of the post office.)

There are three symbols repeated across the width of the frieze: The caduceus of Hermes (two serpents intertwined about a staff with wings), Hermes having been the first symbol of the U.S. Post Office; a torch with a laurel wreath (presumably symbolizing victory); and a third motif, of crossed swords and perhaps a shield or crest, the meaning of which I cannot identify. (If you know what it is, please leave a comment.)

A neighbor of mine likes to say that this building was intended as a symbol of the strength of the federal government in the post-war South. The words "Erected by the United States Government," with the year, figure prominently above the architrave.

Old Farm

2009-03-26T07:55:00.003-04:00

Another composition in orange-red and green, this time in the county. Could this be the old farm that gives Old Farm Road its name?

The farmhouse appears to be being gutted inside (that's a dumpster behind the boxwood at left). I wonder what will become of that beautifully rusty roof.

Serpentine walk

2009-03-25T10:27:00.005-04:00

A wooden gate echoes the pattern of the brick walk beyond.

Although this house on Jackson Avenue is classically symmetrical, the front walk does not beat a path straight to the door (as is usual), but curves around from the side. This confounds the symmetry, but makes the front porch seem much more private - even mysterious - behind a hedge and two boxwood domes.

Rolling

2009-03-24T07:55:00.002-04:00

Hills off of Old Farm Rd., just south of the city limits, facing west. Sorry I couldn't catch the birdsong.

Top of the hill

2009-03-23T07:55:00.004-04:00

This 1906 house on Jackson Ave. has an especially pleasing color palette, I think, particularly in combination with the lawn and brick steps.

Church on Sunday: Grace

2009-03-22T07:55:00.003-04:00

Ivy clothes part of a window at Grace Presbyterian Church.

The congregation of this church has worshipped in this building on South Main Street since the early 1950s. Before that, it was (probably originally) a private residence, an apartment building, and a fraternity house. Now Grace Presbyterian is planning to build a new church outside of the city limits, and this old building is for sale.

One wonders what the future has in store for it.

Proof of spring

2009-03-21T07:55:00.007-04:00

The pear trees are in bloom in front of Gaines Hall again.

Among the first trees to bloom in spring, and last to lose its bronze-red autumn leaves, the Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana) might be a superior tree except for two weaknesses: the smell of the blossoms is unpleasant (!), and the crotched trunk is brittle -- prone to snapping in high winds. (We lost two in one night, north of here, during the inland winds of Hurricane Isabel.) This set may be protected by its proximity to the building's walls.

Gaines Hall is a residence for upperclassmen at Washington and Lee, completed in 1988 in the "suite" dormitory fashion. I received many demurs to my (rather tongue-in-cheek) assertion that residents of Graham-Lees were "living in style." So -- how are things at Gaines Hall?

Photo finish

2009-03-20T07:55:00.006-04:00

Iron horse heads support a balcony at the Sheridan Livery Inn, an inn and restaurant in a former livery stable (built in 1887) on Main St.

Ladies of a certain age

2009-03-19T07:55:00.001-04:00

Victorian houses along Jackson Avenue.

The clear, late-day light makes everything look straight out of a dream.

Chinodoxia

2009-03-18T07:55:00.002-04:00

This sign of spring was just around the corner from yesterday's garden, with the evening sun warming the beautiful brick house behind it.

Wearing green

2009-03-17T07:55:00.001-04:00

A front garden on McDowell St. is cloaked in winter greens, soon to be supplemented by the colors of spring.

Foreground, middle ground, background

2009-03-16T07:55:00.003-04:00

The VMI lacrosse team practices on the field behind the stadium bleachers, with House Mountain looming in the distance. (I don't think the players can see the mountain from down there, though.)

Church on Sunday: Arches

2009-03-15T07:55:00.003-04:00

The south tower and entrance front of Trinity United Methodist Church on Main Street.

The roots of this church run back to 1794, to a lay preacher named William "Billy" Craven - a stonemason - who first organized Methodist services in the home of a friend.

The present Romanesque Revival church on Main Street is the fifth structure, on the third site, that the congregation has built as they have expanded. It dates to 1926. According to the church website, the debt from the construction cost of $120,000 proved onerous during the Depression that followed. It does seem an impressive sum for that time.

Sky drama

2009-03-14T07:55:00.002-04:00

Unusual clouds over the roof of this house at VMI.

Living in style

2009-03-13T07:55:00.004-04:00

Graham-Lees Hall at Washington and Lee, looking like a luxury hotel from this vantage point on a parapet by the Warner Athletic Center.

Two earlier dorms, Graham and Lees, were joined in 1940 to make this U-shaped residence hall for freshmen. According to the W&L website, the entire structure was renovated in the 1980s at a total cost of over $3 million, or about $12,000 per room. So -- luxury hotel is not so far off. Though I suspect the residents don't quite see it that way.

Man in grey

2009-03-12T07:55:00.004-04:00

The grey day seems to suit this image of Stonewall Jackson over his grave in the cemetery named in his memory -- click photo for more detail. (He's facing south, of course.)

The 1891 sculpture was done by Edward Virginius Valentine, a Richmond artist known also for his likenesses of Thomas Jefferson (in Richmond), Robert E. Lee (standing, in the Capitol in Washington; and recumbent, in the Lee Chapel), and Jefferson Davis (on Monument Ave. in Richmond).

Valentine's studio has been preserved and is open to the public. It seems to have been an attraction even during the artist's lifetime -- a guest book there contains the names of both Woodrow Wilson and Oscar Wilde.

Textures

2009-03-11T10:01:00.005-04:00

These wooden railings on a roof terrace and stair at the corner of Jackson Ave. and White St. have an almost lace-like delicacy, in nice contrast to the very solid red-brick house next door.

Sorority Row

2009-03-10T07:55:00.005-04:00

The crescent of five sororities at W&L, seen from Woods Creek trail.

In 1985, Washington and Lee admitted its first female undergraduate degree candidates. Fraternities had long been a center of social life on campus, so it was inevitable that "Greek" life would soon expand to include women. These five houses were completed in 2000 on a hillside southwest of the playing fields, for the members of the University's sororities.

I recently heard that a 6th sorority house is planned soon for the far left side of this group. If true, I think W&L should revisit the decision (even though a 6th may have been planned for from the start). This group of five different, but closely related, Greek/Roman Revival structures is a spectacularly successful architectural achievement for a modern institution. In scale, siting, and harmony with pre-existing buildings, it has turned out unusually well. The addition of a 6th house would cause the center of the group to fall at a void, however, rather than on the central portico, eliminating much of the power of the composition. (As I understand it, there is no room for a corresponding 7th structure on either side; if there was, 7 would work too -- though five seems just right.)

I hope the University preserves the strength of what it has in Sorority Row, and lights on an equally inspired way to incorporate additional houses.

Snow white

2009-03-09T10:53:00.007-04:00

The dazzling, bare white branches of an American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) on the Washington and Lee campus.

I'm itching for spring, but one of the things I'll miss when the leaves come out is the sight of the Sycamore branches - particularly in profusion along the stream and river banks - that brighten the landscape in winter.

The building behind the tree is the Reeves Center, an 1842 house which now contains W&L's collection of porcelain and ceramics, including what is reported to be an especially fine collection of Chinese export porcelain. (I've never been in there; I'll have to take a look.)

Church on Sunday: Spring

2009-03-08T07:55:00.003-04:00

The Oxford Presbyterian Church, surrounded by spring greens.

It's been so warm and spring-like the last two days that I couldn't resist posting this photo I took last year on a soft, rainy April afternoon. This handsome church is out near Collierstown, not far from Buffalo Creek. It will be green like this again soon.

Premium parking

2009-03-07T09:32:00.005-05:00

The new parking lot above N. Main Street at VMI.

A year or so ago, a row of charming, if not "historically" old, houses was demolished to make way for this new parking lot at the Virginia Military Institute. It would be amusing to know what the cost was per parking space, all told. Parking has become a persistent problem in Lexington, as it is so many other places.

The view of the campus once you have parked your car is rather pleasant, though. And the silver lining for me (since I'm not permitted to park here), is that structures such as this lovely old house are now visible as one drives down North Main on the route out of town.

Five, if you can find them

2009-03-06T09:22:00.003-05:00

The Presbyterian Manse on White St. has five identical and unusual chimneys.

There was no good vantage point from which to catch all the chimneys (from up in the air would have been best!), but this shot has pretty light, and shows the inspired shed with matching trim work hidden behind the house.

The Manse, built in 1848 for the Lexington Presbyterian Church in the up-and-coming Gothic Revival taste -- and in strong contrast to the Greek style of the church itself, completed just 3 years earlier -- is one of my favorite houses in Lexington. (I'll show the front in a later post.) The site chosen was then on the outskirts of town, in an almost pastoral setting several blocks from the church. As the small lane or alley on which it fronted attracted new construction over the next couple of decades, the road was eventually widened and named White St., after the first occupant of the Manse, Rev. William S. White.

The Manse remains the residence of the minister of Lexington Presbyterian Church.

Last light

2009-03-05T07:55:00.001-05:00

601 S. Main St. (1858), looking very somber at the end of the day.

An eclectic garden has been constructed on what was formerly a long expanse of lawn between house and street.

And three more...

2009-03-04T07:55:00.002-05:00

...chimneys, that is -- on three successively smaller parts at the back of Stono. (There's actually a fourth chimney, if you count the one to the right side.)

I wonder how many chimneys I can work up to?

Two more chimneys

2009-03-03T07:55:00.002-05:00

A belvedere between two chimneys on a house on Jackson Avenue.

This house is not far from the highest point of Jackson Ave. I'd love to see the view from the little cupola -- it must look west to House Mountain and the Alleghenies, and east to the Blue Ridge. (North and south you'd see mostly chimney.)

Old George against the sky

2009-03-02T07:55:00.004-05:00

George Washington (a replica of carpenter Matthew Kahle's 1844 folk statue) facing the rising sun.

I had the good luck to come across these clouds and a shining jet trail in just the right place, one morning last week. George Washington himself might have frowned on this image, though, as being too grand and king-like, even hagiographic.

I vacillated between posting the photo just as I shot it (below), or cropping it for emphasis. Here's the original composition, with two chimneys that help to ground the scene:

Theme Day March 2009: Glass

2009-03-01T10:10:00.007-05:00

The rose window of R. E. Lee Episcopal, through the snow.

Today is the first of the month, and city daily bloggers around the world are posting on the March theme: Glass. Since my Sunday post is usually of a church, it was easy to combine the two this week.

It may not rival Chartres, but the church keeps this window lit every night, and it's a pretty and comforting sight on an after-dark ramble through the town. Particularly so when it is snowing (March is "coming in" lion-like), as it was last night.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants in this month's City Daily Photo theme.

For symmetry's sake

2009-02-28T17:47:00.005-05:00

The front steps at Morris House lead to a window, instead of the door -- which is to the left.

This house, visible at the right of Cyrus McCormick in my post of two days ago, was built in the early 1840's as one of a set of four faculty residences. It is now used as a seminar and reception center, as well as guest accommodations at Washington and Lee. The designer of these varied houses made rather free with classical proportions in the porticoes, for starters, (as can be said of many such buildings in Lexington, including Washington Hall and Stono,) and you can view such deviations as charming un-academic improvisations, or provincial ignorance, (or both,) as you prefer.

(Posting rather late today, due to computer trouble.)

Where Lee died

2009-02-27T07:55:00.005-05:00

A magnificent old tree - one of many on the Washington and Lee campus - stands in front of the house of the President.

The house was built for General Robert E. Lee when he was chosen as president of W&L after the end of the Civil War. Since then it has served as the house of the President of the University. Research has shown it to be not an original design, but one adapted from a plan book of the time. The large porch, with its low, almost transparent railings, was for the benefit of Martha Custis Lee (Lee's wife, a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington), who was confined to a wheelchair. She is said to have enjoyed watching and talking with students from her vantage point on the porch.

Lee died in 1870, at 63, in the dining room of this house.

Westward the course of empire...

2009-02-26T07:55:00.003-05:00

The statue of Cyrus McCormick at Washington and Lee faces southeast, actually.

McCormick invented the first mechanical reaper in 1831 - when he wasn't much over 20 - and patented it in 1834. He was born in 1809 not far from Lexington, in northern Rockbridge County. (The family farm is worth a visit.) His father is reported to have worked for many years on a horse-drawn reaper, without success, and then passed his work down to his son.

McCormick left this area in 1839 for Chicago (where he founded a forerunner of International Harvester), but maintained ties here, including to Washington and Lee, to which he was a generous benefactor.

The W&L timeline states that when this statue of McCormick was unveiled in 1931, thousands of spectators turned out for the occasion.

(In the background you see the Lee-Jackson House - left - and Morris House - right - on the W&L campus. At far left is a portion of General Robert E. Lee's house, built for him when he arrived in Lexington after the Civil War. Stay tuned tomorrow for a photo.)

Bachelor's quarters

2009-02-25T07:55:00.006-05:00

A huge, fantastic tree casts a black shadow on red-gold brick as the sun goes down.

One last post from Stono, for now: I believe this is the former office, now listed as "bachelor's quarters" under faculty housing at VMI. Not a bad bachelor's pad.

Stone, brick and wood

2009-02-24T07:55:00.010-05:00

Materials mellowed by time give this old outbuilding at Stono a romantic quality.

A number of Stono's dependencies have survived. This fascinating circular one was the ice house.

Stono

2009-02-23T07:55:00.007-05:00

The double portico of Stono, in the morning light.

Stono faces east, overlooking the Maury River at Jordan's Point from high above. It was built in 1818 by and for Colonel John Jordan (1777 - 1854), one Lexington's most productive and best-known builders and businessmen.

In addition to Stono, Jordan (with his business partner from 1815 - 1824, Samuel Darst) is responsible for building part or all of numerous Lexington structures, including Washington Hall at W&L, Beaumont (home of Samuel Darst) and The Pines on Lee Avenue, the Dold Building, the former Rockbridge-Botetourt Library at 312 S. Main St., the Ann Smith School at Nelson and Lee, and the foundation stonework for the original VMI Barracks. (He is also thought to have executed brickwork at Jefferson's Monticello -- an 1805 letter exists in which he requests payment from the sitting president.) Jordan and Darst are credited with having been central in bringing the classical revival, and particularly Jeffersonian classicism, to Lexington.

According to The Architecture of Historic Lexington by Lyle and Simpson (from which most of the details in this post have been gleaned), Jordan also built roads and canals - including work on the canal from Richmond that eventually terminated just below his house at Jordan's Point - and the first covered bridge over the Maury at East Lexington.

Though presently owned by the VMI Foundation, and used as overnight accommodations for visiting "VIPs," almost 200 years ago Stono was surrounded by Jordan's "cotton, woolen, flour, grist, and lumber mills." That part is hard to imagine now:

Church on Sunday: Dissent

2009-02-22T07:55:00.004-05:00

The stained-glass cross in front of St. Paul's Anglican Church, at Nelson and Davidson streets.

As I understand it, St. Paul's was formed a decade or so ago by a group of dissenting parishioners from R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal. They considered that the Episcopal Church in the U.S. had strayed too far from the true teachings of the Church, and, among other things, were concerned about changes being made to the Book of Common Prayer. The new congregation allied itself with the more orthodox Anglican Church in Africa.

The church was designed by local architect Hans Schweitzer, who died last year. Its low lines, board-and-batten siding and metal roof give it a rather homey aspect, with a Swiss (or is it Scandinavian?) flavor. So, this church appears to bring together influences from England, the United States, Africa and Switzerland -- neat trick.

A Shenandoah fortress

2009-02-21T07:55:00.005-05:00

The southeast facade of the VMI Barracks against a backdrop of Hogback Mountain.

This photo was taken from the high point on Maury St., shooting out over the playing fields, Main St., and Cocke Hall to get a clear view of the Barracks. It is a very low resolution image, due to the fact that I had to zoom the maximum to get it, and still had to crop about a third of the width to get the composition I wanted. But I like the clouds and shadows on the mountain, and I managed to get out early enough in the morning to catch some east light. So here it is.

Delicate ironwork

2009-02-20T07:55:00.003-05:00

A lantern atop one of the pillars of Washington and Lee's Memorial Gate, at Jefferson and Henry.

Greg at Liege City Daily Photo has kindly given me the Kreativ Blogger award. Thank you very much! (For readers of my blog who don't already, it's well worth regularly stopping by Liege City Daily Photo to see Greg's always interesting posts.) I've been too pressed for time lately to do much commenting on the blogs I follow, and I'm afraid I may not get around to passing on this award, but the recognition is most appreciated.

Around back

2009-02-19T07:55:00.001-05:00

Additions and an outbuilding make for appealing lines and massing at the back of Stono.

I especially like the chimneys in this photo. I'm working my way around to showing the front of this landmark Lexington house from 1818 (now part of VMI). When I can get myself out there in the early morning, I'll get a shot of the imposing double Tuscan portico that faces the Maury River.

Feel better?

2009-02-18T07:55:00.004-05:00

The very angular lines of the entrance to Stonewall Jackson Carilion Hospital.

So-called because, until 1954, the Stonewall Jackson House on Washington St. (the house Jackson lived in while teaching at VMI - photo to come) served as Lexington's hospital, this much newer facility on the hill behind Col Alto is now part of the Carilion group of hospitals. I understand why an up-to-date hospital wants to project an image of cutting-edge modernism, but in many respects it seems to me that the atmosphere of modern architecture is not conducive to healing. (Others may disagree.)

I look forward (perhaps in vain) to the fashion in hospital architecture coming back around to structures that look more like yesterday's post, for example.

At least from inside the hospital one can look out on a restorative view.

A very civilized infirmary

2009-02-17T07:55:00.008-05:00

The portico of the "new" VMI hospital.

This building, originally the house of Samuel F. Jordan (a local builder, son of prominent Lexington builder John Jordan), was purchased by VMI in 1870, and enlarged in 1909. At some point it replaced the old hospital, a relatively small building that has since been torn down.[*] (It had been completed just in time for an 1849 mumps epidemic in the corps, according to The Architecture of Historic Lexington.)

Yesterday's house is visible at the right.

Tomorrow I'll post a photo of the entrance to the recently renovated and expanded Stonewall Jackson Carilion Hospital, which serves the general area. I'll then let you decide where you would rather convalesce.

*[Update: The old hospital has certainly not been torn down as I had been told -- I just spotted it in one of my photos! Will post a picture of it at a later date.]

Camera tricks

2009-02-16T07:55:00.001-05:00

The chaplain's residence at VMI appears very lonely on the hill above North Main St.

It's interesting that this photo seems to represent a solitary house in somewhat wild surroundings, and even might be thought to have an air of Gothic melancholy. In truth, this gracious house sits rather convivially between two others (you can see the roof line of one of them at left), overlooking the old VMI stables across Main St., and not far from the center of town.

Church on Sunday: Old and new at R. E. Lee

2009-02-15T07:55:00.005-05:00

The steeple of the R. E. Lee Episcopal Church with the twilight moon.

The stone church dates to 1882 (see it from the front in an earlier post, here), but the steeple was replaced in 2007. The new steeple is 57 feet tall and covered in 1,800 hand-pressed metal shingles. The crown of the weathervane (salvaged from the original steeple), which was newly-covered in gold leaf by church parishioners, still shows bullet holes, reportedly from soldiers discharging their weapons a final time upon returning home from war. (More details on rebuilding the steeple here.)

Near Stono

2009-02-14T07:55:00.003-05:00

A stone pillar and walls near Turman House (also known as Stono) at the Virginia Military Institute.

This part of the VMI Post is like a trip back in time. You can walk an abandoned road up from the far north end of Main St., to a small lane along the side of the hill above Jordan's Point. From there, among the handsome 19th C. houses, it is not hard to imagine that it is 150 years ago, if you train your eyes to the right views.

All-American

2009-02-13T07:55:00.002-05:00

The American flag flies over the door of an 1857 brick Federal style house on South Main St.

A truly American scene (as was yesterday's post, come to think of it). It's for sale, too -- it can be yours for $1.05M.

Football on the lawn

2009-02-12T07:55:00.003-05:00

Tossing a football on the lawn between Doremus Gymnasium and Elrod Commons on the campus of Washington and Lee.

I took this picture a little while ago, but it's appropriate for the sort of weather we've had the last few days, as well. Last week: snow; this week: temperatures near 70° F (21° C).

From tiny acorns...

2009-02-11T07:55:00.009-05:00

Iron oak leaves embrace the acorn logo of J.F. Brown Real Estate on Washington St.

This beautiful and imaginative sign went up a couple of years ago, and really raised the bar for business signs in Lexington, I think.

I became aware of the advantage to a town of a talented sign maker when we bought our first house (in New Hampshire, fifteen years ago) from a young man who had been running his sign making business from a shop on the property. (He also had built the house and shop himself.) We soon noticed that many of the best signs springing up in the nearby town of Keene were his. Today, he can walk down Keene's Main St. - and many another street - and see his work on all sides. His signs have contributed significantly to the distinctive character of the place. (If you're curious, you can see some of them here.)

Lexington clearly has access to talented sign makers, too, and when I find out who made the one above - perhaps one of the local blacksmiths? - I'll update.

Red bollard

2009-02-10T07:55:00.003-05:00

A red bollard (one of a row along the street) and a modern sculpture in a front garden on Stonewall St.

I'm impressed by the marvelous color of these bollards, punctuating a wide bed of liriope between the lawn and the street. I'm not sure what I think of the sculpture though. What do you think it is?

Blue and gold II

2009-02-09T07:55:00.006-05:00

The "carpenter Gothic" central gable of the St. Patrick's parsonage.

Built in 1840, the painted brick parsonage predates the church it serves by 113 years. It's possible there was another church on the site before the present one, but I haven't yet found evidence of it. (A small church on Henry St. - now the Gospel Way Church of God - is referred to as "Old St. Patrick's," which suggests that the congregation moved here from there at some point.) It seems likely that this was originally a private residence adapted by St. Patrick's for its purposes.

Whatever its history, the parsonage has charm. Here it is, tucked beside and behind the more modern stone church:

Church on Sunday: St. Patrick's

2009-02-08T07:55:00.003-05:00

An image of Saint Patrick before the Catholic church bearing his name on Nelson St.

Lexington's sole Catholic church is St. Patrick's, built in 1953. (Like much of the valley, this area was settled by the Scots-Irish; as a result, Protestant churches - particularly Presbyterian - are much more numerous than Catholic.) The parsonage that adjoins the church is much older than the church itself, having been built in the Gothic Revival style in 1840. A glimpse of that tomorrow.

A more recent past

2009-02-07T07:55:00.002-05:00

The neon sign for the Southern Inn on Main St.

Much of Lexington brings to mind past eras: the Colonial, Antebellum, Civil War and post war periods in particular. This well-known sign in the center of town is a relic from a more recent past. The Southern Inn restaurant is celebrating 75 years in business this year. That would date it to 1934, and the sign looks to be of that vintage, as well. You can tell how proud the business is of it by how prominently it is featured on their website.

Lexington's sign ordinance would not allow this sign to be installed today, which I think on the whole is a good thing. One such in a town this size is enough. But it does make an interesting contrast to the 18th and 19th century history that dominates here.

Kentucky Coffee tree

2009-02-06T07:55:00.002-05:00

A Kentucky Coffee tree against the sky, above a lilac bush heavily laden with snow.

I'm very attached to this tree, though it's not mine (or ours), but our neighbors', as it is growing in their backyard, and only generously spreads its branches and roots over our way. Our neighbors (who are most excellent neighbors) take particular care of this beauty, which is spectacular in every season, but perhaps especially so in winter.

This uncommon tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) was first encountered by Europeans in Kentucky, but it appears from Canada to Louisiana. It is said that early settlers broke open the distinctive seedpods and used the roasted seeds to make a substitute for coffee. The seeds do smell a little like coffee, and they contain a nicotine-like substance that can be fatal in high doses. The tree's roots will compete successfully with the lawn, it drops pods and twigs all over the place from fall to spring, and the tiny leaflets (on compound leaves similar to the Honey Locust) are so small that they slip between the tines of any rake. But these nuisances pale in relation to its gifts: broad, dappled summer shade and a striking winter silhouette.

I've tried in vain for several months to take a photo that captures the many attractions of this species of tree: the stately height; the rugged bark; the fascinating and vigorous branching habit; the purplish, dangling seedpods; and particularly, the levels of scale that exist in angular progression from the thick trunk out to the super-numerous delicate twigs.

But what the eye can take in at one glance, the camera (or, at least, my camera) can not. So here's another shot, showing the seedpods against the twilight:

Blue and gold

2009-02-05T07:55:00.002-05:00

Hay bales off Route 11 several miles north of town.

The invention of the round hay-baler was a boon for lovers of the picturesque.

White on white

2009-02-04T07:55:00.004-05:00

White house, white picket fence, and snow.

We finally got a snow that stuck, though only an inch or two, and very wet, at that. The beauty of wet snow is that it sticks to everything -- though you need to be quick, in this climate, to enjoy it.

I had promised some morning light in January, and failed. Here's a little, four days late.

Lowering the streets

2009-02-03T07:55:00.003-05:00

The Alexander-Withrow Building at Washington and Main, seen from the steps of the old courthouse.

The building at left was one of two to survive the fire of 1796. (I posted earlier about it, here.) From the old courthouse steps you get a good view of the exposed foundation, which is part of one of the more unusual stories in Lexington history.

Prior to 1851, the streets leading to the center of town were so steep that at times, particularly in wet weather, it was difficult for heavily-laden horse-drawn vehicles to make the climb. The townspeople decided the lower the grade - most markedly in the area shown above - at great difficulty and expense. The Alexander-Withrow Building gained an entire story that had been below grade, as did several other buildings. Structures in the vicinity built before 1851 show the evidence of the street-lowering, including the Dold Building across the street.

Not a few Main St. residences ended up with their front doors five or six feet off the sidewalk! (I'll show you how they adjusted to that in an upcoming post.)

Second place

2009-02-02T07:55:00.005-05:00

A steel walkway bolted to the north side of the Nelson Street bridge over Woods Creek, shot from below.

This was my second choice (albeit a distant second) for yesterday's "paths and passages" theme. I may be alone in my interest in the underside of this bridge (I posted earlier about it, here), though many Lexingtonians pass below it every day while walking or running on the Woods Creek Trail.

In the future, I plan to post the interesting underside of some other bridges (for instance, the I-81 overpass on the Chessie Trail), so bear with me. Sometimes I like to look up.

Theme Day Feb 2009: Paths and Passages

2009-02-01T07:55:00.004-05:00

Jackson Arch, entrance to the Barracks, Virginia Military Institute, taken from beside the pedestal of Moses Ezekiel's Stonewall Jackson.

Today is the first of the month, the day that city daily photo bloggers from around the world post on a single theme. February's theme is "paths and passages."

One of the most significant passages we have in Lexington is Jackson Arch, through which pass, each fall, new VMI cadets to begin their four years of rigorous physical and mental training. First year cadets, nicknamed "rats" since the 1850's, will endure for the entire year a demanding system of initiation known as the "ratline." The VMI website states: "The system is designed to remove wealth and former station in life as factors in one's standing as a cadet, ensuring equal opportunity for all to advance by personal effort, and to enjoy those rewards that are earned."

Upon entering the first day through Jackson Arch, each cadet will see the words of Stonewall Jackson inscribed within: "You may be whatever you resolve to be."

To see the paths and passages of other bloggers, click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

McCampbell Inn

2009-01-31T07:55:00.006-05:00

The double porches and east (back) entrance of the McCampbell Inn, on Main St.

Built originally as a residence for John McCampbell in 1809, the building was enlarged several times, and its distinctive porches were added mid-19th century, before it was converted to the Central Hotel in 1907. In 1971 it was restored by the Historic Lexington Foundation, and now it goes by the name of the McCampbell Inn.

Practical sculpture

2009-01-30T07:55:00.002-05:00

The muted winter palette at a bend in the creek, somewhere behind Rail's End and Woods Creek Forge.

If you look closely you can see that this row of concrete slabs is covering a large black pipe that skirts the creek at this point. I've always found this "sculpture" to be strangely attractive -- it reminds me of the sets of old bridge piers from long-lost bridges - flooded out, mostly - that you find along the Maury River near here (and many other places, of course).

Odd fellow

2009-01-29T07:55:00.004-05:00

The clean facade of the Troubadour Theater, corner of Main and Henry streets.

Built in 1853 as the Odd Fellows Hall, this building was a community meeting place for generations, and has also seen service as a shoe factory, a hardware store, an opera house, and an early movie theater.

Since 1929 it has been owned by Washington and Lee, and has hosted theater classes and performances for the University as well as being a venue for local musicians and, until recently, the winter home of the Lime Kiln Theater. The addition to the left is from 1968, and windows have been added over the years, as well -- originally the Main Street front here had just two.

There is no sign identifying the theater at the moment, and the announcements of upcoming performances that used to paper the doors are gone. Though the building looks in general good repair, those doors are in need of a coat of paint. I don't know what plans W & L has for the building. Has the completion 2 years ago of Wilson Hall - the spacious new addition to the Lenfest Center for the Arts - rendered the Troubadour superfluous?

If you've heard what's in store for the Troubadour Theater, please leave a comment.

Icing

2009-01-28T07:55:00.003-05:00

Ice coats the branches of a dogwood tree, whose bird house waits for spring.

After much anticipation and excitement, our big snow event brought nothing but freezing rain. Somewhere north and east of here, the snow is falling. School was cancelled, though, so it was a perfect day to sit in front of the:

Red hat

2009-01-27T07:55:00.001-05:00

A red mansard roof on an old Victorian house on Jackson Avenue.

Jackson Avenue is arguably the premier address in Lexington. It was developed over time, from north to south, beginning in the 1870's and on through the first half of the 20th century, so a drive or stroll down the avenue allows one to trace the changes of taste over those years. (It was named after Stonewall Jackson, of course.)

I'm looking forward to spring, when the dogwoods, redbuds, crabapples, and spring-flowering bulbs are in bloom, to capture Jackson Avenue at its best.

Winter hiking

2009-01-26T07:55:00.002-05:00

Little House Mountain and Brushy Hill from the east, on Shenandoah Rd.

Rockbridge County is full of excellent hikes (I think I read somewhere that it has the highest percentage of publicly-owned land in the state), some of which are only a few minutes' drive outside of town. The above photo shows two of the most popular spots.

In the background is the best-known mountain in the county: House Mountain. (There are actually two House Mountains, Little and Big; you see Little on the right, and I believe on the left is some of Big behind it. Little House seems to be the one everyone calls simply "House Mountain.")

In front of both, with the towers on top (click photo to enlarge), is Brushy Hill, where the City of Lexington owns 600 acres as Brushy Hill Preserve. Only three miles outside of town, it's a beautiful place for a not-too-strenuous hike in the woods.

If you are looking for something a little more challenging, there's a trail around the southeast shoulder of Little House Mountain that begins at the end of Saddle Ridge Rd. The first mile-and-a-half is an easy to moderate climb on a lovely old jeep trail through stands of mountain laurel and past boulders and rock falls. At the saddle between the two peaks (Little and Big) is a campfire spot with a satisfying view to Hogback Mt., and a lean-to for overnighters.

Those looking for a more heart-pounding experience can continue the last 3/4 mile up (it feels like straight-up!) to the top of Big House for spectacular views over the valley.

Church on Sunday: Hands to work

2009-01-25T07:55:00.005-05:00

The First Baptist Church at Main and Henry gets a new roof.

The workers appear to be hired hands, unlike those who originally built the church in 1894. First Baptist was founded as Lexington African Baptist Church in 1867, by the black membership of Manly Memorial (then Lexington Baptist) who wished to form their own congregation after the war.

It is said that they surveyed the church architecture in town and in that way put together a design for the building. All of the original construction work is reported to have been performed by the parishioners themselves, a feat that is especially impressive from this angle.

Ten feet wide

2009-01-24T07:55:00.002-05:00

19 South Main St. is shoehorned between its neighbors.

The space where this narrow building stands was once a 10-foot wide alley, until this tiny storefront was inserted in the late 19th C. Architect Skip Ravenhorst has almost finished renovating the space for the offices of his practice. Naturally, architects often inhabit the most interesting and unusual spots in town.

Ruff House

2009-01-23T07:55:00.004-05:00

Side door of the Jacob M. Ruff house at 21 North Main St., painted a felicitous shade of green.

The house is a Lexington landmark, and owes its life to the Historic Lexington Foundation (which purchased it in 1972 and restored the exterior) and G. Otis Mead III (who restored the interior after purchasing it from HLF the following year). It was only the third building in Lexington to be rescued by the then fledgling local preservation movement. It has served as the offices of Mead Associates, Realtors, for over 35 years.

Built c. 1829, this structure was likely not the first house on the site. A brick incorporated into the present building reads, "1783." According to The Architecture of Historic Lexington, by Lyle and Simpson, at the time of the restoration "the foundation introduced many young people in the community to an archaeological excavation in the backyard. It was the first such experience for Lexington. Among the artifacts unearthed were porcelain, pottery, glass, marbles, a clay pipe, a French brass hand-warmer, and evidence of the presence of an early stable and brick walls."

Now showing

2009-01-22T07:55:00.004-05:00

Outside the ticket window of the State Theater on Nelson Street.

Like most old theaters, the State has been divided into smaller screening rooms -- in this case, three. Now showing: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Four Christmases and Bride Wars.

Greek inheritance

2009-01-21T10:53:00.004-05:00

The Greek Revival pediment of Newcomb Hall against a fathomless blue sky.

The serenity, solidity and classic simplicity of this image seem fitting for the day after the nation's historic forty-fourth peaceful transfer of executive power.

Sisters' walk

2009-01-20T07:55:00.003-05:00

One of the piers supporting the sorority footbridge at Washington and Lee.

At present there are three footbridges spanning the Woods Creek ravine on the campus of W&L. I posted the newest one here. I'm still wrestling with getting a good shot of the oldest one. Today's photo is of the 2000 bridge which connects the crescent of sororities on the hillside below Liberty Hall Rd. with the main campus.

Interestingly, it is from here - below - that one gets the best sense of the height of the walkway. Up top it feels quite safe and secure, and rather tame by comparison.

Back in early December, a couple of sorority sisters were escorting giant Greek letters:

After the concert

2009-01-19T07:55:00.002-05:00

Members of the Rockbridge Choral Society tidy up after Sunday's concert.

One of the wonders of this little town of 7,000 inhabitants is the wealth of good music - particularly choral music - available throughout the year. And this would hardly be the case if it weren't for William McCorkle, music director and organist at Lexington Presbyterian Church, and director of the Rockbridge Choral Society. Sunday afternoon the Choral Society performed a program in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Felix Mendelssohn.

In addition to Mendelssohn's Op. 52, Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise), we heard the Brahms Alto Rhapsody Op. 35, two Schubert lieder (Die Allmacht and Ständchen) and Schumann's In der Nacht. Mezzo-soprano Barbara Hollinshead and tenor Robert Petrillo were down from Washington, D.C., and the area's own Christine Fairfield sang soprano in the Mendelssohn.

Why don't I have a photo of the concert itself? I tried, but the music was just too good.

Church on Sunday: Lee Chapel again

2009-01-18T07:55:00.005-05:00

The last few days have been too cold for new photos! (I have gotten soft since moving down from the frozen north; though I prefer to think of myself as developing one of the southern refinements.) Here's another shot of perhaps my favorite structure in Lexington - Lee Chapel - taken last month.

You may remember the Chapel from this shot through the columns of Newcomb Hall.

The walkway at right leads through the campus of Washington and Lee, beginning at Washington St. beside the R.E. Lee Episcopal Church, past the Chapel (with the Colonnade on your left), and eventually on to the VMI Post. (The two schools are adjacent to one another, making for extensive grounds, as well as a very interesting contrast.) Surely one of the most pleasant walks in Lexington.

Arch in the privet

2009-01-17T07:55:00.003-05:00

A basketball lies idle by the gate on a cold January day.

On our very first visit to Lexington, two years before we moved here, I noticed this arch in a tall privet hedge at the corner of Jefferson and McDowell streets. I knew next to nothing about the town, and not a single soul who lived here, but this little spot stuck with me.

It's still one of my favorite corners. (Of course, this being a small town, I now know who lives here.)

Bashful

2009-01-16T07:55:00.010-05:00

Buxus sempervirens, or Common Boxwood, is one of the joys of Virginia, and Lexington gardens have lots of it: shaped into tidy mounds - as here - trimmed into thick hedges, arranged in formal patterns and parterres, or growing essentially free, when it can reach heights of 20 feet or more over time. (I've not seen any boxwood topiary in Lexington yet -- if you know of any let me know!) You (almost) can't go wrong with boxwood and red brick.

As a transplanted Northerner, boxwood and cardinals are the two things that delight me most about Virginia winters. The sight of a red cardinal sitting in a boxwood hedge will take the chill out of a cold snap, such as we're having right now. (Today's predicted high temperature: 21° F [-6° C]; tonight's low: 5° F [-13° C].)

Jacob's Ladder

2009-01-15T07:55:00.018-05:00

The fields near Jacob's Ladder, in their winter colors.

This is the view from high on Shenandoah Road, just beyond the city limits, looking southeast. (Click on the photo to enlarge.) In the background haze you can just make out the Blue Ridge Mountains, looking rather grey for a change.

13 windows

2009-01-14T07:55:00.012-05:00

An overcast sky above the unusual roof line of 103 South Randolph St.

Yesterday's forge shares this building with the stables and carriage house for the Lexington Carriage Company. During the warmer months, and on the occasional weekend afternoon in the winter, the teams of horses are watered and groomed and fed (I suppose - I haven't seen them feeding) between carriage rides here. Then they go north to Augusta County for the night.

I have a fascination with this building. It hardly seems to belong in town. It is certainly not beautiful -- "utilitarian" is the word that comes to mind. I don't remember ever seeing another freestanding building of this size with just one lo-o-o-ng shed roof. The row of windows makes it, of course. (There's another similar row on the other side.) See the building from a distance here.

Pictures of the horses and carriages to come, in the spring.

Forge door

2009-01-13T07:55:00.008-05:00

Brown's Forge at 130 South Randolph St., quiet on a Sunday afternoon.

Owned and run by the Brown family for almost 150 years (they are said to have shod Robert E. Lee's famous horse, Traveller), the forge is now operated by blacksmith Jack Chaffee.

I found the following, written by Chaffee, in the March 2007 issue of The Virginian, the newsletter of the Blacksmith Guild of Virginia, online here:

“The goal of BROWN'S FORGE LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM is to keep the feeling of a small town smithy at about the turn of the last century. The Shop was established about 1856 and the present building was erected in 1915. From about 1865 to around 1900 it was a carriage-building Shop and there are many dies and sets used to create the fittings typical of carriages of those days. Gradually as gasoline power replaced the horse the Shop converted to repair of automobiles and did a brisk business in that regard up 'til the 50's. But as automotive technology changed the owners chose not to invest in the technology required and the Shop reverted back to being a smithy and repair shop. Now, it is primarily a smithy for architectural iron and secondarily a repair/restoration shop for tools, utensils, and broken cast iron items. Our specialty in that line is the repair and sharpening of the push reel-type lawn mowers. We have the only reel mower sharpening machine (1943) in operation within a 60 mile radius.”

I expect this sign offers an example of Chaffee's work:

Perhaps I will be able to post a photo of Mr. Chaffee in action one of these days.

Nelson Street

2009-01-12T07:55:00.011-05:00

Another dusk shot -- Nelson Street between Main and Jefferson.

The row of Italianate cornices dates to the 1890s.

One of Lexington's primary shopping streets, this block of Nelson St. offers antiques, jewelry, fine art photography, cosmetics, women's clothing and lingerie, Celtic items and memorabilia (this area was largely settled by the Scots-Irish), and one of Lexington's two independent bookstores. And there's an old movie-theater across the street, still showing first-run movies.

Many of the upper floors throughout the downtown house student apartments.

[My original post mistakenly stated that you would see this view if you pivoted left from yesterday's church. Any readers familiar with Lexington would know that I was a block off. The church that is in fact opposite this scene is here.]

Church on Sunday: Full moon

2009-01-11T07:55:00.012-05:00

Manly Memorial Baptist Church at dusk; corner of Main and Preston streets.

"Manly" does not refer to the character of the congregation (though I wouldn't like to rule it out), but to the church's early 20th C. namesake. Formerly Lexington Baptist, it became"Manly Memorial" in honor of Dr. Charles Manly, pastor from 1903-1914. (The church's website states that in his day he was known as the "most universally beloved man in Lexington.")

The present church was built in 1920, in a rather eclectic style. In addition to the dome, Ionic capitals (above smooth, unfluted columns), and heavy, dentiled cornices, there is an impressive amount of contemporary stained glass in soft, opalescent colors -- greens, blue-greens, warm browns, lavenders and pinks -- that make a strange and interesting contrast to the brick and the many classical references.

Here is an example:

It's a very American ("Rules? -- what rules?") structure that, not surprisingly, also appears to take inspiration from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (located about 56 miles [91 km] NE of Lexington, as the crow flies).

Class Act

2009-01-10T07:55:00.002-05:00

The January show at Nelson Fine Arts Gallery - "Class Act" - opened last night, and there are eleven guest artists this month -- all teachers of art from Lexington and Rockbridge County.

The traffic stopper was "Crunch Bird," by MaryBeth Drake, foreground.

At center right (in red) is artist Claudia Cutler, whose work, "Reflections," hangs above her left shoulder.

Six paintings by gallery regular Paisley Griffin hang in the background.

Learn more and see works by all of the gallery's artists here.