Lexington, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Campbell House, ca. 1845
Historic Lexington
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2021
Andrew Reid purchased this lot in 1784 from the town’s trustees. Later, between 1844 and 1845, Alexander T. Sloan, a local hotel owner and businessman, built this house. His wife reported that the site was a “rough and unsightly piece of ground” when they purchased it, but they transformed it into their “mansion house.”
The building is referred to as an “I” house, a vernacular building tradition with origins in England. Distinguished by elegant Federal style details, the house has two false windows on the Randolph street side – probably an effort to cut down noise and dust while maintaining a balanced symmetry. It also has an unusual stretcher bond on the front.
In 1866 the four Waddell sisters purchased the house and like many ladies of limited means, offered “table” to bachelor faculty and students. Through them, the house was inherited by Dr. Leslie Lyle Campbell, a local historian and founder of the Rockbridge Historical Society. He left the house to the Society in 1964. It is now open to the public as the Society’s headquarters and museum.
Erected by Historic Lexington Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.
Location. 37° 47.065′ N, 79° 26.469′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of East Washington Street and South Randolph Street, on the left when traveling west on East Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lexington VA 24450, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ruth McCulloch (here, next to this marker); Gen. Samuel Houston (a few steps from this marker); "The Castle" (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sloan House, ca. 1844-45 (within shouting distance of this marker); Phil "Old Dixie" Nunn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Castle, ca. 1790 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Jackson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lexington (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 722 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 9, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on August 20, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.