Oakley (Spotsylvania County, Virginia)
Oakley is a historic plantation and home located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Virginia. The Federal/Georgian[3] style, 2 1/2 -story home was built in 1828 by Samuel Alsop, Jr. as a wedding present for his daughter, Clementina.[1][4][5] Alsop built several notable houses in Spotsylvania County including Kenmore, Spotswood Inn, and Fairview.
Oakley | |
.png.webp) The home at Oakley in Spotsylvania County, Virginia | |
    | |
| Location | 10,000 Corbin Ln., Spotsylvania, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°15′25″N 77°42′31″W |
| Area | 12 acres (4.9 ha) |
| Built | 1828 |
| Built by | Alsop, Jr., Samuel |
| Architectural style | Federal / Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 02000533[1] |
| VLR No. | 088-0052 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 2002 |
| Designated VLR | March 14, 2001[2] |
Oakley was part of a grant of 7,777 acres (3,147 ha) given to Gawain Corbin by the King of England. Alsop bought 849 acres (344 ha) in 1816. The Georgian home was built using bricks made in two kilns that Alsop built on the property.[5]
Oakley is located near the site of many major battles of the American Civil War. A number of battles and skirmishes occurred on or near the property. According to a letter written by a resident of the house at the time, during one two-day period, the house was ransacked by "...at least 2000 soldiers tramping through the house." A Yankee soldier disobeyed his Major's orders to burn the house down.[5]
During the latter half of the 19th century, the house was neglected and used more as a barn than a home. In 1919, the property was purchased by a Mr. McHenry who wanted to mine for silver and gold. The mining project failed and, in 1926, the plantation was sold to George C. Beals. The property has been owned by the Beals since then. Running water and electricity were added in the 1940s and central heating in the 1960s.[5]
As of 2005, the Oakley farm consisted of nearly 2,000 acres (810 ha).[6] Oakley was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002.[1]
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
- "A fall Sunday in the country". The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia). 7 October 1993. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- Loth, Calder, ed. (2000). The Virginia Landmarks Register (4th ed.). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. p. 496. ISBN 9780813918624. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- Beals, Ann (3 December 1992). "Oakley: Outstanding farm then and now". The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia). Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- Whitehurst, George (4 June 2005). "Spotsylvania County takes 'first step' to saving open land". The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia). McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2012 – via HighBeam Research.
