Oakley (Spotsylvania County, Virginia) Explained

Oakley
Designated Other1:Virginia Landmarks Register
Designated Other1 Date:March 14, 2001[1]
Designated Other1 Number:088-0052
Designated Other1 Num Position:bottom
Location:10,000 Corbin Ln., Spotsylvania, Virginia
Coordinates:38.2569°N -77.7086°W
Built:1828
Builder:Alsop, Jr., Samuel
Architecture:Federal / Georgian
Added:May 22, 2002
Refnum:02000533

Oakley is a historic plantation and home located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Virginia. The Federal/Georgian[2] style, -story home was built in 1828 by Samuel Alsop, Jr. as a wedding present for his daughter, Clementina.[3] [4] Alsop built several notable houses in Spotsylvania County including Kenmore, Spotswood Inn, and Fairview.

Oakley was part of a grant of given to Gawain Corbin by the King of England. Alsop bought in 1816. The Georgian home was built using bricks made in two kilns that Alsop built on the property.

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.

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.

As of 2005, the Oakley farm consisted of nearly .[5] Oakley was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Virginia Landmarks Register. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 5 June 2013.
  2. News: A fall Sunday in the country. 1 June 2012. The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia). 7 October 1993.
  3. Book: The Virginia Landmarks Register. 2000. Virginia Department of Historic Resources. 9780813918624. 496. 4th. Loth, Calder. 1 June 2012.
  4. News: Beals. Ann. Oakley: Outstanding farm then and now. 1 June 2012. The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia). 3 December 1992.
  5. News: Whitehurst. George. Spotsylvania County takes 'first step' to saving open land. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116072835/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-133028789.html. dead. 16 November 2018. 1 June 2012. The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Virginia). 4 June 2005. McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.