This is of the style commonly called “Plantation Plain”. This particular house has been stabilized and is a very nice example of this popular 19th-century design. It’s possibly of antebellum origin.
The History of Effingham County states: Bertie and Effie Gnann are considered the “First Family” of Stillwell, having staked their future in the town and being life long residents. The Gnann’s built the first house in town, which was a one-story frame residence with a gingerbread porch. Bertie opened a small store with his brother Alvin in 1892. The store was located along the railroad tracks next to the present Post Office building. In addition to being a grocery store, the building served as the headquarters for the freight agent and served as the location of the first post office. Bertie, along with his brothers Henry and Willie, operated the first saw mill in the town. The brothers later added a grist mill, planing mill, stave mill, and cotton gin. Bertie Gnann also served as Stillwell’s first post master, remaining in that capacity for 47 years. The original house was replaced with the present two-story house in the 1930s.
This is the style of many old houses in Virginia. Often they will be extended by adding a long addition to the rear running perpendicular to the front. I have been inside one. It had a center staircase with two rooms over two rooms. Not fancy at all. No paint, plain wood floors and no fancy trim work.
Any idea regarding interior floor plan? From windows and chimneys, looks like very few rooms.
What exactly was a farmhouse? Is this where the farm laborers lived or the farm owner lived? Curious me.lol
It refers to either one, just to add to the confusion. Not all farm owners who had tenants lived in grand plantation houses, and even those who did, lived on a farm. Hence my use of ‘farmhouse’.
This was a house that my grandfather and his brothers built. One of the brothers lived in it.
I love this style house. It is a very common style in Virginia.
Built by my Granddaddy and his brothers in 1890s.
But now owned by the Federal Government.
This property is not owned by the Federal Government. I bought this property and gave it to my sister’s son.
Would this have been considered a pretty well=to-do cracker? This is pretty nice, I think. Just curious!
I am really enjoying the pictures, brings back so many memories of my early childhood. Thanks a bunch.
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A well preserved classic. Most of these houses have been much altered over the years by additions and “updatings”. This one is a gem! Hope it will be restored but with the inevitable additions sensitively handled.