NPS Farm VLK- p--- Exp. - Virginia Department of Historic … · · 2007-07-16depository for survey records Governor Street town stare 23219 . Condition ... - agriculture -economics

10.900 w2l VLK- " / ~ 1 / g 7 d~.-k-\ p--- 1 1 / s / g ~ :

*. 7024-OM8 Exp. 103-86

WPS anfy

'

Inventory-Nominati~n i

instructions Register Forms

hlstorlc (DHL 81-2011

andlor common O l d Bridge

Location

streetanumber S t a t e 631 PIL$

Virainia VA R o c k b r i d ~ e code

3. Classification

- 1L building(s) 1L - structure - - - -

- considered N J A

x - - work progress

X restricted - -

Present - - - -

x - entertainment - -

industrial transportation -

Owner of

Bausm

street&number Rt.

Lexington -vicinity state

courthouse, registry deeds, etc. Racirbridqe County

- L e x i n g t ~ n

Representation in Existing Surveys OF LzAMDMA!?KS - x-

date lg7& ,X, state county -

2 2 1

City, ~ichmond, ~ i r q i n i a

NPS Farm OME

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service

National Register of Historic Places Form

See in How to Complete National Type all entries-complete applicable sections

I Name

For use

received

date entered ,

Tankessley Tavern F i l e #

2.

Route not tor publication

state code countv 163

Category Ownership Status Use district public

private both

occupied unoccupied

in

agriculture commercial

e d u c a t i o n a l

museum park private residence

site Public Acquisition Accessible religious object in process

being yes: yes: unrestricted no

government

military

scientific

o t h e r :

Property4.

name Henry and Dolores

7, Box 5

city, town

O l d Bridge

of

7 0 3 453 4636

V i r g i n i a 24450

of Courthouse

street & number Main Street

city, town state Virginia

6. D I V I S I O N H I S T O R I C

title Survey File ( 8 1- 2 0 1 ) has this property been determined eligible? y e s no

, 1987 , 1988 federal local.

Governor Streetdepository for survey records

town stare 2 3 2 1 9

Condition Check one Check one - excellent deteriorated -unaltered L original site X _ good - ruins X altered -moved date N/A -fair - unexposed

Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Summary Desc r ip t ion

Tankersley Tavern, l o c a t e d i n Rockbridge County on S t a t e Route 631, r e p r e s e n t s a t l e a s t t h r e e b u i l d i n g p e r i o d s wi th t h e o l d e s t s e c t i o n cons t ruc t ed ca . 1835. B u i l t o r i g i n a l l y a s a t o l l house, t h e s t r u c t u r e i s a nine-bay, s i n g l e - p i l e , frame b u i l d i n g wi th an exposed basement and a d e c o r a t i v e two-level g a l l e r y on i t s main ( sou th ) facade. The t a v e r n is l o c a t e d on 2.4 a c r e s o f s t e e p h i l l s i d e a long t h e n o r t h bank of t h e Maury River. The nomination i n c l u d e s f i v e c o n t r i b u t i n g b u i l d i n g s : t h e main house, a washhouse/kitchen, t h r e e frame sheds and a c o n t r i b u t i n g s t r u c t u r e , a s t o n e abutment f o r a bridge; and one non-cont r ibu t ing b u i l d i n g .

De ta i l ed Analys i s

E x t e r i o r :

Tankers ley Tavern i s a bank-s i ted , nine-bay, s i n g l e - p i l e , frame b u i l d i n g w i t h an exposed basement and d e c o r a t i v e two-level g a l l e r y on i t s main ( sou th ) facade. I t r e p r e s e n t s a t least t h r e e b u i l d i n g pe r iods . I ts o l d e s t s e c t i o n i s a 30' X 14'7", one-s tory , four-bay u n i t t h a t d a t e s ca . 1835. The founda t ion and w a l l i n g i n t h e lower l e v e l of t h i s u n i t i s b r i c k l a i d i n f i ve -cour se common bond. The lower l e v e l c o n t a i n s two double-hung sa sh windows wi th 6/6 l i g h t s and s imple beaded moldings f l a n k i n g two four-paneled doors . The window openings have paneled s h u t t e r s . The upper l e v e l a l s o has two double-hung sa sh 6/6 windows f l a n k i n g two c e n t r a l doors . The wooden p a n e l s of t h e s e doors have been r ep l aced by f l o o r - t o - c e i l i n g s h e e t s of double-paned i n s u l a t e d g l a s s . The e x t e r i o r moldings f o r bo th doors and windows a r e composed of a f i l l e t , ovolo , bead and f i l l e t . The windows have louvered s h u t t e r s . West of t h e c a . 1835 s e c t i o n i s a 12 ' x 1 4 ' 7" c i s t e r n / passage u n i t . I t i s composed of a coursed l imes tone founda t ion and a two-bay upper l e v e l where a wood-paneled door w i t h an 8 - l i g h t t o p f l a n k s a smal l 6/15 l i g h t double-hung sa sh window. The moldings a r e simple t h r e e - p a r t beve l s . West of t h i s c i s t e r n / p a s s a g e u n i t i s t h e f i n a l s e c t i o n of t h e t a v e r n ; it c o n s i s t s of a three-bay, 1 1 /2 - s to ry u n i t t h a t measures 18 '6" x 16 '1" . While t h i s s e c t i o n i s c l e a r l y l a t e r than t h e ca . 1835 t o l l house, a r c h i t e c t u r a l ev idence s t i l l sugges t a d a t e b e f o r e 1870 s i n c e t h e s t r u c t u r a l t imber s have v e r t i c a l s a w marks.

.Th i s s e c t i o n o r i g i n a l l y r e s t e d on wooden b u t t s ; t h e s e have been r e - i n f o r c e d by coursed f i e l d s t o n e covered wi th weatherboard. Th i s f i n a l s e c t i o n has a three-bay c e n t r a l door scheme. Two 6 / 6 double-hung sash windows f l a n k a door w i t h an 8 - l i g h t t o p and 3 - l i g h t transom. The moldings a r e p l a i n .

(See Cont inua t ion Shee t # 1)

8. Significance

Period - prehistoric - 1400-1499 - 1500-1599 - 1600-1699 - 1700-1799 2 1800-1 899 2 1900-

Areas of Significance--Check and justify below archeology-prehistoric - community planning - landscape architecture- religion

- archeology-historic -conservation - law - science - agriculture -economics -literature - sculpture - architecture -education -military -social/ - art -engineering - music humanitarian - commerce - explorationisettlement - philosophy -theater - communications - Industry - politicslgovernment 2 transportation

-invention - other (specity)

Specific dates ca. 18 35 BuilderiArchitect John Jordan and Samuel F . Jordan Statement of Significance [in one paragraph)

Statement of Significance

Tankersley Tavern, is historically important as

a rare surviving example of buildings associated with the region's transportation from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. Built ca. 1835 as a toll house (toll gate) at the county end of the bridge crossing from the Valley Turnpike into Lexington, it eventually became a tavern, canal ticket office, general store, post office, and dwelling.

Historical Background

Tankersley Tavern, the first toll house in the Shenandoah Valley to be nominated for the National Register, was constructed ca. 1835 by the family of Colonel John ~0rdan.l A descendant of Samuel Jordan who owned the James River plantation "Jordan's Journey", Col. Jordan was born in Goochland in 1777 and moved across the Blue Ridge to Rockbridge County in 1802. Soon after arriving, he bought land over- looking the North (now Maury) River, close by the Valley Turnpike used by settlers going west and south.

In 1809 Jordan, then operating a flour mill by the river, offered to build a bridge into Lexington if he could collect tolls, but the town delayed giving him permission to build the bridge until 1834.3 Nevertheless, by 1810 he had developed an extensive blacksmith business on his river land which now was known as Jordan's Point; here he manufactured iron pots, tools, ploughshares, and iron- rimmed wagon wheels--all important to settlers on the move.

During the War of 1812, he served in the Virginia militia and became distinguished for bravery.4 Shortly after returning from the war Jordan built for his wife Lucy and himself a handsome neo- Classical residence, "Stono", that established his reputation as a builder. Jordan went on with his partner Samuel Darst to build the Barracks at V. M. I., Washington Hall at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), Neriah Baptist Church and several other buildings still standing in the environs of Lexington.5

(See Continuation Sheet # 4)

9. Major Bibliographical References See Cont inua t ion Shee t # 9

10. Geographical Data - ~~

Acreage of nominated property 2 . 0 4

Quadrangle name 1

UT M References

[613181316101 1411181318i8i01 Zone Easting Northing

Quadrangle scale 1 :24000

" Zone Easting L o i n : ' I I c W L L L d UJ DM u LLL-LA

Illlllrll u F w u u GI u 11111111 H W u u 6 in

,

C l e r k ' s O f f i c e o f t h e C i r c u i t Court of Rockbridge County, VA i n Deed Book 2 2 2 , Page 256 , Known as Tracts # (1) , ( 2 ) , ( 3 ) , ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) t o g e t h e r w i t h t h a t r ~ r f a i n stri D b t r ac t #(5-A1 a long n o r t h f o r k of James R. known as

List a l l s tates and count ies for propert ies overlapping state o r county boundaries Maury River .

state V I A code county N!b code

state N / A code county N / A code

1 1. Form Prepared BY - -- -

nameltitle Henry and . Dolores Bausum (Ass i s t ed by Pamela Simpson)

organization N / & date February 12, 1 9 8 7

street &number R t . 7, Box 5 Old Bridge telephone 703 4 0 3 - 4 6 3 6

city or town Lexington, state V i r g i n i a

12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is:

- national -- state 2L local

As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer fo r t National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89- 665), 1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the tional Register and certify that i t has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by th A aflpnal Park Sfitvice. , /

tor VA "7 s i n n of ~ i q r n r i rT.nnrlmarkq . . . u date

For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is Included in the Natlonal Register

Keeper of the National Register

Chief of Rwistration

NPS Form 1O.WO.a (382)


National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridge Co., Virginia

Contlnuat~on sheet # 1 Item number 7 Paae 1

7. DESCRIPTION -- Architectural Analysis The major architectural feature of the building is a two-level

gallery that stretches across the ca. 1835 section of the facade, comes to an end, and appears again as a nine-foot-long balcony on the ca. 1870 section of the main facade. The gallery/balcony on the exposed basement level is supported by eight chamfered Doric posts and the ceiling joists are beaded. On the main level, the Doric posts with chamfered edges are repeated and are linked by a scroll-cut boarded balustrade. There are decorative brackets along the cornice.

The east elevation of the ca. 1835 section has on the lower level two large 8/12 light double-hung sash windows with plain modern trim. They each measure 65" in height by 44" in width. On the upper level above them is one 8/8 double-hung sash window with plain moldings. The west elevation is exposed on only the upper level. On this level is a random bonded brick chimney as well as one 8/8 double- hung sash window. Above on the loft level is an identical 8/8 double- hung sash window.

The whole of the building is set into a steep limestone embankment, thus the upper level of the main (south) facade becomes the ground level of the rear (north) elevation. A one-story lean-to addition runs across the rear facade of the ca. 1835 section; this addition contains a sky light over the eastern-most portion and a series of three unmullioned glass windows side by side. The lean-to foundation is coursed field- stone on the east elevation and incorporates the natural limestone bank along the west. On the rear elevation of the cistern/passage section is a modern screened-in porch with cross-mullioned French doors leading to the interior. On the rear elevation of the taller, 1 1/2-story section are three bays: a 6/6 double-hung sash window and a smaller 4/4 double-hung sash window flanking a modern Dutch door with a 4-light top. Above on the loft area are two 6/6 double-hung sash windows and a smaller 4/4 window identical to the one below it.

There is a simple gable, standing-seam tin roof over the one- story and 1 1/2-story sections. The ca. 1835 building has a common rafter system nailed to a ridge board indicating a post 1870 date. Some of the rafters are vertically sawn, however, and may have been reused when the older roof was replaced. The loft of the 1 1/2- story western section is ceiled over, preventing rafter inspection.

(See Continuation Sheet #2)

NPS Form 10.WO.a U.82)


National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form

TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridge C o . , V i r g i n i a

Continuation sheet # 2 Item number 7

7. DESCRIPTION -- A r c h i t e c t u r a l Ana lys i s

I n t e r i o r :

The i n t e r i o r arrangement o f t h e c a . 1835 t o l l house was o r i g i n a l l y a two-room p l a n on bo th upper and lower l e v e l s wi th t h e lower rooms s e r v i n g a s t o l l house f o r t h e nearby b r i d g e and t h e upper rooms s e r v i n g a s a dwel l ing f o r t h e t o l l house keeper . By t h e 1870s t h e e a s t room of t h e lower l e v e l had become a tav- e r n ; o l d photographs show a long , wooden coun te r s t r e t c h e d a c r o s s t h e n o r t h s i d e of t h e b a r room. A t i c k e t o f f i c e f o r r i v e r c a n a l b o a t s had opened i n t h e w e s t room. A board p a r t i - t i o n t h a t s epa ra t ed t h e two lower rooms was removed a long wi th t h e b a r coun te r i n t h e 1950s. The p r e s e n t owners have rep laced t h e r o t t i n g remains of a wooden f l o o r w i t h f l a g s t o n e s and c leaned remaining p l a s t e r o f f t h e b r i c k wa l l s . No o r i g i n a l woodwork remains excep t a board and b a t t e n door t h a t l e a d s t o a s t o r a g e a r e a under t h e l ean - to , and window moldings a long t h e sou th w a l l . There i s an open b r i c k f i r e p l a c e on t h e west w a l l , b u t no mante l s u r v i v e s . I n t h e c i s t e r n / p a s s a g e u n i t on t h e lower l e v e l , t h e p r e s e n t owners c r e a t e d a c c e s s from t h e basement t o t h e upper l e v e l . A s t a i rway now cu rves a long t h e t h r e e - course common bond b r i c k wa l l i n t e r i o r of a c i s t e r n t h a t was c o n s t r u c t e d i n t h e mid-19th cen tu ry beneath a s i d e porch on t h e west e l e v a t i o n of t h e ca . 1835 t o l l house.

The ca . 1870 s e c t i o n of t h e b u i l d i n g h a s one u n f i n i s h e d room on t h e exposed basement l e v e l . Here wooden b u t t s , s t o n e i n f i l l and l imes tone bank a r e a l l v i s i b l e except on t h e sou th where t h e y a r e covered by v e r t i c a l barn s i d i n g . The s i l l s a r e hewn and t h e j o i s t s a r e v e r t i c a l l y sawn. The room perhaps se rved a s a storeroom f o r t h e t a v e r n s i n c e t h e r e a r e i r o n b a r s on t h e southwest window. The sou th board and b a t t e n door was o r i g i - n a l l y t h e o n l y e n t r a n c e t o t h i s room; t h e p r e s e n t owners have opened a passage i n t h e e a s t w a l l t o connect t h e un f in i shed room wi th t h e c i s t e r n / p a s s a g e u n i t and they have added a 6/6 window t o ba l ance t h e three-bay facade of t h e main l e v e l .

The i n t e r i o r of t h e main l e v e l of t h e ca . 1835 s e c t i o n i s a two-room p l a n w i t h a s i n g l e , beaded-board p a r t i t i o n t h a t has been p l a s t e r e d over . A boxed s t a i rway on t h e s o u t h e a s t co rne r of t h e w a l l l e a d s t o t h e un f in i shed a t t i c . The door frames and 6/6 windows on t h e sou th have s imple , t h r e e - p a r t , beveled mold- i ngs ; t h e two e x t e r i o r doo r s have been r ep l aced w i t h f l o o r - t o - c e i l i n g s h e e t s of unmullioned g l a s s . The i n t e r i o r doors a r e a l l

(See Cont inua t ion Shee t #3

NPS Form 10.9W.a (3821 O N 8 No. 1 0 2 1 - 0 0 1 8

Expires 1 0 - 3 1 - 8 7



TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridge Co., V i r q i n i a - Continuation sheet # 3 lternnurnber 7 Page 3

7. DESCRIPTION -- A r c h i t e c t u r a l Analys i s

board and b a t t e n . The w a l l s and c e i l i n g a r e p l a s t e r e d and t h e r e i s an open f i r e p l a c e on t h e west w a l l t h a t has a b u i l t - i n i r o n l i n t e l . No mantel remains. The r e a r , n o r t h l ean - to has been renovated i n t o a smal l bedroom, c l o s e t / p a s s a g e a r e a and modern ba th . The c i s t e r n / p a s s a g e u n i t a t t h i s upper l e v e l was o r i g i - n a l l y a s i d e porch on t h e w e s t e l e v a t i o n of t h e ca . 1835 house. The remains o f Doric , chamfered p o s t s a r e v i s i b l e on t h e r e a r , n o r t h s i d e of t h e passage . The a r e a now g i v e s i n t e r i o r a c c e s s between t h e one-s tory e a s t e r n s e c t i o n and t h e 1 1 /2 - s to ry west- e r n s e c t i o n .

The i n t e r i o r of t h e 1 1 / 2 - s t o r y s e c t i o n i s a l s o d i v i d e d i n t o two rooms wi th a p l a s t e r and l a t h p a r t i t i o n . A boxed s t a i r i n t h e n o r t h e a s t c o r n e r s e r v e s t h e l o f t a r e a . A p i c t u r e r a i l w i th beaded edges runs a long a l l of t h e w a l l s of bo th of t h e s e rooms. The moldings f o r t h e doors and windows a r e a complicated f i l l e t , ovolo , p l a n e , bead f i l l e t , bead. The west room i s now a k i t c h e n and h a s a c h a i r r a i l on t h e w e s t and n o r t h w a l l s . The balcony p o r t i o n o f t h e g a l l e r y ( a c c e s s i b l e o f f t h e l a r g e r , e a s t room) has been r e c e n t l y g l a s s e d i n .

The l o f t a r e a i s c e i l e d and f i n i s h e d wi th a modern b a t h i n t h e w e s t co rne r . Two smal l casement windows on t h e e a s t w a l l o f f e r a view of t h e one-s tory s e c t i o n r o o f . A dormer on t h e n o r t h s i d e o f f e r s added headroom.

S e t t i n q :

A br i cked t e r r a c e pathway on t h e n o r t h , r e a r e x t e r i o r of t h e t a v e r n l e a d s t o a set of b r i c k s t e p s on t h e e a s t . These l e a d d o w n t o t h e ground, basement l e v e l . Immediately n o r t h of t h e 1 1 /2 - s to ry s e c t i o n i s a s t r u c t u r e t h a t may have been a s e p a r a t e k i t c h e n o r wash house. ~t h a s a f i e l d s t o n e w a l l on t h e west and n a t u r a l outcropping on t h e no r th ; it no longe r has w a l l s on e a s t and sou th . A c o r n e r p o s t h e r e suppor t s t h e n a i l e d common r a f t e r r o o f . The p l a t e s and r a f t e r s a r e a mix ture of reused t imber most of which is v e r t i c a l l y sawn. I n t h e n o r t h e a s t c o r n e r i s a l a r g e b r i c k chimney and f i r e p l a c e t h a t was probably added i n t h e e a r l y 20th cen tury . A d d i t i o n a l l y , t h e r e a r e t h r e e frame sheds t o t h e n o r t h e a s t and nor thwest of t h e kitchen/washhouse. They a l l d a t e t o t h e 1 9 t h o r e a r l y 20th century.An o f f i c e - s t u d i o b u i l t i n 1978 i s a non-cont r ibu t ing b u i l d i n g .

',(See Cont inua t ion Shee t # 4 )

NPS Form (0.900.. OM6 do. 1 0 2 4 - 0 0 1 8 WI Expires 1 0 - 1 1 - 8 7


National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridge Co., V i r g i n i a

Continuation sheet # 4 Item number 7 8 Page 4 , 1

7. DESCRIPTION -- A r c h i t e c t u r a l Analys i s

The t a v e r n i s s i t e d on 2.4 a c r e s of s t e e p h i l l s i d e t h a t s l o p e s from n o r t h t o sou th a long t h e n o r t h bank of t h e Maury River . Seve ra l t r e e s from t h e 19 th cen tu ry remain on t h e s lope . The s i t e i s b i s e c t e d by S t a t e Route 631, t h e o r i g i n a l Val ley Turnpike which a t t h i s p o i n t c ros sed a covered b r i d g e t h a t connec ted t h e a r e a known a s "East Lexington" o r "Levesia" w i th Lex- i ng ton i t s e l f and connected Lexington w i t h S taunton and p o i n t s North. The b r i d g e was t o r n down i n 1943, b u t i t s s tone abutment on t h e n o r t h bank of t h e r i v e r s u r v i v e s and i s a c o n t r i b u t i n g s t r u c t u r e w i t h i n t h e bounds of t h i s nominated p r o p e r t y .

8. SIGNIFICANCE -- H i s t o r i c a l Bakcground

Beginning i n 1824, Jordan became a c t i v e i n t h e e f f o r t t o connec t t h e w e s t w i t h t h e A t l a n t i c . H e c o n s t r u c t e d a ba t eau c a n a l around Balcony F a l l s on t h e James River ; he a l s o developed t h e e a r l i e s t p r i n c i p a l roads from ~ o c k b r i d g e County a c r o s s t h e Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains. By t h e 1830s, h i s second son Samuel F r a n c i s had joined him i n bus ines s . U l t ima te ly , t h e Jordan fami ly owned and ope ra t ed twelve fu rnaces and a number of f o r g e s i n Allegheny, Bath, Amherst, Louisa , B o t e t o u r t and Rock- b r i d g e coun t i e s .6

F a t h e r and son were neighbors a s w e l l a s p a r t n e r s i n bus i - ne s s , John having b u i l t Samuel F r a n c i s a house (now t h e V . M . I . I n f i rmary ) nea r "Stono" on a h i l l t o p over looking J o r d a n ' s P o i n t . The fami ly had developed t h e P o i n t a s a commercial a r e a wi th a g r i s t m i l l , sawmil l , foundry and forge .

Long b e f o r e t h e Jordans developed t h e P o i n t and even b e f o r e t h e f i r s t p i o n e e r s began t o s e t t l e t h e a r e a i n t h e 1720s, I n d i a n s had forded t h e r i v e r a t what became known i n t h e 1 9 t h cen tu ry a s J o r d a n ' s Po in t . A f t e r an e a r l y se t t le r , G i l b e r t Campbell, a cqu i r ed t h e r i v e r l and , t h e o l d Ind ian f o r d was r e - f e r r e d t o i n r e c o r d s a s Campbell 's f o r d . A f t e r John Jordan r e - ce ived permiss ion i n 1834 t o b u i l d a t o l l b r i d g e a c r o s s t h e r i v - e r , J o r d a n ' s b r i d g e ( a s it was c a l l e d ) w a s c o n s t r u c t e d a few ya rds up r i v e r from Campbell 's f o r d , g i v i n g t r a v e l l e r s s a f e ac- c e s s t o t h e Val ley Turnpike. ~011s were c o l l e c t e d a t t h e n o r t h end of t h e b r i d g e a t a t o l l house (now Tankers ley Tavern) b u i l t by t h e Jo rdans ca . 1835 a longs ide t h e t u rnp ike .

T o l l s i n V i r g i n i a a t t h i s t ime were cus tomar i ly c o l l e c t e d from t r a v e l l e r s u s ing bo th p r i v a t e and tax-supported roads and


NPS Form 1O.WO.a ua2)

O H B No. 1024-00J8 E x p i r e s 1 0 - 3 1 - 8 7

United States Department of the Interior National Park Senrice

National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridqe Co., Virqinia -

Continuation sheet # 5 Item number 8 Paae 2

bridges. The tolls were collected by gatekeepers who were usu- ally furnished a house which would be designated a gate. Fre- quently gatekeepers operated a tavern in connection with the tollgate.7 Thus, the Jordans followed traditional practice in building a toll house at the bridge; however, perhaps John's high standards as a builder constrained them to build a toll house of more than ordinary attractiveness and durability. Perhaps also Jordan was pleased to see from his hilltop mansion, "Stono", the attractive toll house across the river from his busting enterprises at Jordan's Point.

Notwithstanding the new bridge at Jordan's Point, numbers of travellers continued to avail themselves of free passage across the river by way of Campbell's ford. Consequently, John Jordan and his son Benjamin sought and obtained permission from the County Court in 1845 to close the ford on condition that they keep the covered bridge in repair and reduce the tolls to agreed-upon fees. The County Court document concludes, "All citizens of Rockbridge shall at all times have free passage over said Bridge."8

Union troops came to the area in June 1864 under General David Hunter's command; they came determined to retaliate against Rebel supporters of the V. M. I. cadets who had fought victoriously against Union forces at New Market. In preparation for General Hunter's arrival, cadets were ordered to fill Jor- dan's bridge with hay and set the bridge aflame as Hunter approached Lexington. The charred bridge failed to stop Hunter's troops from crossing the river on a pontoon bridge and buring the V.M.I. Barracks. Union troops took no revenge, however, against the toll house even though they fired cannon at V.M.I. buildings from the hilltop above the tollgate.9 The hilltop more than a century later is still known as Hunter Hill.

The toll house in 1864 was no longer owned by the Jordans; it had been sold, perhaps in the late 1840s after the bridge was destroyed by a flood, to Samuel Mc~owell Reid, Clerk of the County Court from 1831 to 1858. Reid, in turn, had sold the tollgate property to James Campbell in 1853, one year before John Jordan's death. Samuel Francis died in 1872; both he and his father are buried in Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington.

The 1870s were a decade of change for the Jordan bridge and the toll house. The covered bridge, replaced after the war, was


NPS Form 10.900.1 13-82)

ona no. 1024-0018 E x p i r e s 10-31-87


National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridge Co., Virginia

Continuation sheet # 6 Item number A Paae 3

8. SIGNIFICANCE -- Historical Background

twice destroyed by floods in the 1870s. In 1879 John Wood re- built the bridge on higher stone abutments which remain in fair condition.10 The toll house, meanwhile, was sold by James Campbell to William H. Netz in 1872; it now served as a ticket office and tavern for passengers arriving in Lexington on boats by way of the James River canal system. The tavern on the Maury River became "a favorite spot for refreshment among salesmen and travellers on the canal packet boats which moored at nearby docks" after the long, slow trip from Lynchburg.11

The Tankersley family bought the tavern from Netz in 1886, and Tankersley Tavern acquired its historic name from two enter- prising bachelor brothers, Benton and Frak Tankersley, and their maiden sister, Annie.

Ironically, 14 years after the Tankersleys purchased the tavern, Rockbridge County voted dry. For four decades after the June night in 1900 when Benton Tankersley locked the door that led through the 18-inch brick wall into the adjoining general store, Tankersley's bar was kept unchanged, down to a dusty bowler hat left behind on a peg by one of the last customers.12

Despite the locked door, or perhaps because of it, Tankers- ley Tavern and its environs remained the community center of East Lexington for more than half a century, serving variously as post office, country store, and gathering place for local citizens as well as travellers passing on the Valley Turnpike. The present owners of this property continue to pay a small an- nual tax on the "Tankersley stable and tin shop" (now gone) and "Tankersley orchard" (now consisting of one June apple tree and a few decaying pear trees). Shoemolds from a shoeshop located here have also been unearthed in recent years, and surviving evidence of Tankersley whiskey labels suggest that persons distant from East Lexin ton may have refreshed themselves on Tankersley Tavern rye. 13

Many area residents still have memories of the Tankersley Tavern period. One such recollection is of a less than sober citizen who left the tavern and headed into Lexington on a dark night, unmindful that the bridge was out. His cries of distress brought rescuers who pulled him safely from the river. A genteel woman recalls being taken as a child by her father, a


NPS Form 1O.BW.a 1582)

OH5 d o . 1 0 2 4 - 0 0 2 8 E x p x r e r 1 0 - 3 1 - 8 7



TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridqe Co., V i r q i n i a . Continuation sheet # 7 Item number 8 Page 4

8. SIGNIFICANCE -- H i s t o r i c a l Background

l o c a l judge, f o r a b r i e f gl impse i n s i d e Tankers ley Tavern t o s e e f o r h e r s e l f t h i s c o l o r f u l e s t ab l i shmen t . Others r e c a l l t h e p o l i t i c a l savvy of t h e Tankers ley b r o t h e r s , one of whom r e g i s t e r e d a s Republican whi le t h e o t h e r r e g i s t e r e d a s Democrat s o t h a t one of them would s e r v e a s E a s t Lexington pos tmas te r r e g a r d l e s s of which p o l i t i c a l p a r t y occupied t h e White House.

Benton Tankers ley, a s owner of t h e p rope r ty on which t h e no r the rn s t o n e abutment f o r t h e 1879 covered b r i d g e was l o c a t e d , cooperated w i t h a l o c a l group which organized i n 1935 t o pre- s e r v e t h e wooden b r i d g e a f t e r a cement b r idge opened some hun- dred yea rds down r i v e r . By forming a l o c a l branch of t h e newly organized Assoc i a t i on f o r t h e P r e s e r v a t i o n of V i r g i n i a Antiqui- t i e s , t h e Rockbridge group ob ta ined t h e S t a t e Highway Commis- s i o n ' s permiss ion t o p re se rve t h e covered b r idge . A year l a t e r t h e group s o l d t h e 2 4 s t e e l beams which had been t h e b r i d g e sup- p o r t s , t h i n k i n g t h a t wi thout heavy t r a f f i c t h e b r i d g e would remain secu re wh i l e t h e approximate $300 revenue gained from t h e s a l e could be used on o t h e r l o c a l p r e s e r v a t i o n p r o j e c t s . 1 4 That same y e a r , 1936, a f l ood occur red , and t h e l o c a l newspaper r epo r t ed : "Frank Tankers ley e s t ima ted t h e f l ood a t 20 f e e t , say ing it was t h e h i g h e s t s i n c e 1877 and two f e e t h ighe r t han i n 1924."15

Seven y e a r s l a t e r , i n October 1943, t h e Lexington town coun- c i l condemned t h e b r i d g e a s a danger t o t h e t r a v e l i n g p u b l i c . That same month t h e l o c a l c h a p t e r of t h e A. P . V. A. vo t ed t o have t h e b r i d g e removed and t h e b r i d g e was q u i e t l y dismantled.16 Benton Tankers ley had d i ed t h r e e y e a r s earl ier , i n 1940; Frank remained a t t h e t a v e r n u n t i l h i s d e a t h i n 1949. The b r o t h e r s ' maiden s i s t e r Annie owned t h e p r o p e r t y a long t h e Maury River u n t i l 1954 when she s o l d it t o owners who began conve r t i ng t h e o l d t a v e r n i n t o a p r i v a t e r e s i d e n c e . P r e s e n t owners of t h e t o l l house / tavern a r e Dolores and Henry Bausum.

ENDNOTES

'Itoyster Lyle and Pamela Simpson, The A r c h i t e c t u r e of H i s - t o r i c Lexington, pp. 118-20.

2 ~ a r r i n g t ~ n Waddell, "Colonel John ~ o r d a n , " a paper r ead t o t h e E o r t n i g h t l y Club i n Lexington and Publ i shed soon a f t e r -

wards i n t h e Rockbridge County News, A p r i l 1 4 , 1938, 6.


NPS Form 10.902.. @a21

O M B No. 1 0 2 4 - 0 0 1 8 E x p i r e s 10-11-87



TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbridge Co., V i r g i n i a Continuation sheet # 8 Item number 8 Page 5

8. SIGNIFICANCE -- H i s t o r i c a l Background

30ren F. Morton, H i s to ry of Rockbridge County, p . 164.

4 ~ a d d e l l , op. c i t . p. 2.

5 ~ i n i f r e d Hadsel , The S t r e e t s of Lexinqton. p . 67.

6 ~ a d d e l l , op. c i t . , p. 1.

7 ~ o b e r t F. Hunter , "The Turnpike Movement i n V i r g i n i a , 1816-1860," unpubl ished Ph. D. T h e s i s , Columbia U n i v e r s i t y , 1956, p. 61.

8 ~ o c k b r i d g e County Deed Book Y , pp. 317-18.

and Simpson, op. c i t . pp. 34-35.

'OVA-567 H i s t o r i c American Bui ld ings Survey, V i r g i n i a Catalogue, 1976, p. 146.

l l ' r ~ a n k e r s l e y ' s Bar Went Out of C i r c u l a t i o n When Rock- b r i d g e Took t h e Pledge," The Roanoke T imes , J u l y 1 4 , 1 9 4 6 ; r e - p r i n t e d i n The Lexington Gaze t t e , Ju ly 1 7 , 1946, p . 4 .

121bid.

13see Appendix # 1 f o r xerox c o p i e s of l a b e l s on r eco rd i n t h e Tankers ley f i l e i n Washington and Lee Un ive r s i t y a r c h i v e s .

1 4 ~ h i s account i s based on l e t t e r s i n t h e Covered Bridge f i l e i n Washington and Lee Un ive r s i t y a r c h i v e s .

1 5 " ~ i s t o r y o f Floods i n County Recapped," The News-Gazette, January 8 , 1986, S e c t i o n B , p. 2 .

16''01d Bridge Condemned a s Hazard," Rockbridge County News, October 1 4 , 1943, p . 1; and "Old Covered Bridge Must Come Down," Rockbridge County News, October 21, 1943, p. 2.

NPS Form IO.9W.a O b B do. 1 0 2 4 - 0 0 1 8 an) E x p i r e s 1 0 - 3 1 - 8 7

United States Department of the Interior National Park Sewice


TANKERSLEY TAVERN, Rockbrldae Co.. V i r a ~ n i a a ., - -

Continuation sheet # 9 Item number 9 10 Page 1 .,

9. B i b l i o g r a p h i c a l References

Books : Hadsel , Winifred. The S t r e e t s of Lexington. Lexington, V i rg in i a :

Rockbridge H i s t o r i c a l Soc i e ty , 1985.

Lyle , Royster and Simpson, Pamela. The A r c h i t e c t u r e of H i s t o r i c Lexington. C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e : Un ive r s i t y of V i r g i n i a P r e s s , 1977.

Morton, Oren. A H i s to ry of Rockbridge County, V i r g i n i a . Staunton: McClure Co., 1 9 2 0 .

V i r g i n i a H i s t o r i c Landmarks Commission. H i s t o r i c American Bu i ld ings Survey, V i r g i n i a Catalogue. C h a r l o t t e s v i l l e : Un ive r s i t y of V i r g i n i a P r e s s , 1 9 7 6 .

Unpublished Works: Hunter, Robert F. "The Turnpike Movement i n V i r g i n i a , 1816-1860."

Ph.D. Thes i s . Columbia Un ive r s i t y , 1956.

Archives : Unive r s i t y L i b r a r y , Washington and Lee Un ive r s i t y , Lexington,

V i rg in i a .

Other Sources: Eure, John. "Tankers ley ' s Bar Went Out of C i r c u l a t i o n When

Rockbridge Took t h e Pledge," The Roanoke Times, Ju ly 1 4 , 1946; Lexinqton Gaze t t e , J u l y 1 7 , 1946.

"Old Br idge Condemned a s Hazard," Rockbridge County News, October 1 4 , 1943.

"Old Covered Bridge Must Come Down," Rockbridge County News, October 21, 1943.

Rockbridge County Deed Book Y. February 4 , 1845, pp. 317-18.

Sensabaugh, Deborah. "Hi s to ry of ~ l o o d s i n County Recapped, " The News-Gazette, January 8 , 1986.

Waddell, Har r ing ton . "Colonel John ~ o r d a n " (paper p re sen ted t o F o r t n i g h t l y Club, Lexington, ~ i r g i n i a ) ; Rockbridqe County News, A p r i l 1 4 , 1938. -

1b. Geographical Data -Justification

The bounds have been drawn t o include the house, four contributing outbuildings, a contributing structure, and one noncontributing b u i l d i n g .

i ,' ~~~~.

=37 /' , _

639 ~.

25)

SCALE 1 24000 1 MILE

1 0 0 0 0 Inno 200C 4

H H F ? "00 7 0 0 0 FEET

I 5 ---

t i U t i -- 0 . - . l KlLOMETER

CONTOUR INTERVAL 2OIFEET NATIONAL GEODETIC VERTICAL DATUM OF 1929

THIS MAP COMPLIES WITH NATIONAL MAP ACCURACY STANDARDS FOR SALE BY U. S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, RESTON. VIRGINIA 22092

VIRGINIA DIVISION OF MINERAL RESOURCES, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22903 FOLDER DESCRIBING TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS AND SYMBOLS IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Documents

NPS Farm VLK- p--- Exp. - Virginia Department of Historic … · · 2007-07-16depository for survey records Governor Street town stare 23219 . Condition ... - agriculture -economics