Dicks-Elliott House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dicks-Elliott House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Dicks-Elliott House, January 2005
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | 622 Harrison Street, Lynchburg, Virginia |
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| Area | 0.12 acres (0.049 ha) |
| Built | 1813 |
| Architect | Micajah Dicks (unconfirmed) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Court House Hill-Downtown Historic District (ID02001361) |
| Designated CP | 2002 |
The Dicks-Elliott House is a historic home located in Lynchburg, Virginia. It was built in 1813 by Agatha Terrell Dicks. She was the widow of William Dicks, who made Windsor chairs. Agatha's parents were Micajah Terrell and Sarah Lynch, who were Quakers from the Lynchburg area. On August 6, 1812, Agatha bought the land for the house from her uncle, John Lynch, who founded Lynchburg. She paid only $1.00 for the half-acre plot.
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About the Dicks-Elliott House
The house is a two-and-a-half-story building made of brick. It is built in the Federal style, which was popular for homes at that time. The roof is made of slate and slopes down on two sides.
What the House Looks Like
The front of the house has three sections. The windows on the first floor have six panes on top and nine on the bottom. Upstairs, the windows have six panes on both the top and bottom. Small windows next to the chimney are on the third floor, which is like an attic.
The front door is in the middle section of the house. This was a bit unusual for homes in Lynchburg back then. A small porch was added to the front in the early 2000s. At the back, there's a two-and-a-half-story addition built around 2000. A two-story porch is also on the back. A small, one-story addition is on the side. The house used to have a brick wing on this side, but it was taken down in the early 1900s. There's also a small building in the yard from the early 2000s.
Inside the House
The way the inside of the house is set up is quite special. When you walk through the front door, you go straight into the main room. Most houses from that time in Lynchburg had a hallway first. This design is similar to homes found in Quaker communities, like those in Guilford County, North Carolina, where William Dicks was from.
A smaller room is connected by a short hallway. This hallway also has a winding staircase that goes to all three floors. The house's original design, including the part that was removed, was a common layout for Quaker-built homes. The decorations inside the house are simple.
People Who Lived Here
The Dicks-Elliott House has been home to several families over the years. Each family added to its long history.
Agatha Dicks' Story
In 1814, Agatha Dicks sold the house to Peter Elliott. He was a builder from Richmond. Agatha then moved with her children to Ohio. She wanted to leave Virginia, which was a state where slavery was allowed. In 1815, she married Isaac Harvey, a well-known Quaker missionary. Agatha passed away in 1828 and is buried in Ohio.
Peter Elliott's Story
Peter Elliott was born in Gloucester County, Virginia, in 1774. In the early 1790s, he moved to Richmond and worked as a carpenter. In 1794, he was a soldier during the Whiskey Rebellion. This was a time when some farmers protested a tax on whiskey.
In 1814, Peter Elliott moved to Lynchburg and continued his work as a carpenter and builder. Later, in 1824, he moved to Lexington, Kentucky. There, he also became a blacksmith. Around 1849, he moved to Evansville, Indiana, to live with his son. Peter Elliott died in Indiana in 1863.
Other Owners of the House
After Peter Elliott, the house had many other owners. From 1836 to 1858, an Irish tobacco seller named James V. Knight owned it. Then, from 1858 to 1891, the merchant John T. Murrill and his family lived there. The house was rented out from 1891 to 1952. The family of Arthur Walkup lived in the house as renters from about 1918 to 1943.
A Recognized Historic Home
The Dicks-Elliott House is an important part of history. It has been recognized for its special place in the past.
National Register of Historic Places
In 1999, the Dicks-Elliott House was found to be important enough to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. In 2002, it became a part of the Court House Hill–Downtown Historic District. This district is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Being a "contributing property" means it helps make the historic district special.
Featured on TV
The house has also received an award from the Lynchburg Historical Foundation. It has even been shown on TV! It appeared on HGTV shows like "Dream Builders," "Old Homes Restored," and "If Walls Could Talk." On one episode of "If Walls Could Talk," a couple bought the house for just one dollar. During their five-year renovation, they found many old items. These included marbles, buttons, tools, wedding rings, and an old bullet mold. They even found good luck symbols carved into the fireplace!
- Peter Elliott House, Harrison & Seventh Streets, Lynchburg photos, data page, photo caption page, at Historic American Buildings Survey
