Historic Preservation Month

Preservation happens on a large and small scale every day in our community. Read below about the preservation work in Old Southwest including grassroots efforts to establish the historic district, the thoughtful restoration of a cherished family home, and the ongoing stewardship of the historic Alexander-Gish House.

History of Old Southwest

The Old Southwest neighborhood is bordered by Marshall Avenue SW to the north, Jefferson Street to the east, the railroad to the south, and 10th Street SW to the west.

Originally developed at the turn of the 20th century, Old Southwest was Roanoke’s first “suburban” neighborhood, located on the outskirts of downtown. As the City grew and Norfolk and Western Railway chose to locate in Roanoke, large and elegant Victorian mansions were built and marketed to railroad executives and the region’s more affluent families. Over time, more modest yet eloquent homes were constructed, along with apartment buildings and small neighborhood commercial businesses, contributing to the area’s architectural and cultural diversity.

From the mid-1950s through the early 1980s, Roanoke’s housing patterns followed the national trend of outward migration from the urban core to suburban areas with larger lots and development oriented around the automobile. As a result, the southwest area of the City experienced disinvestment and neglect, and many historic homes were demolished to make way more automobile oriented apartment buildings and offices. By the 1970s, crime and blight came to define the neighborhood, and its origin as one of the elite early suburbs was virtually unknown to younger Roanokers.

In response, a small group of community advocates organized to preserve the area’s heritage. With the assistance of a federal grant, they worked to establish a National Register Historic District covering portions of southwest Roanoke and a local historic zoning district for Old Southwest and parts of the Mountain View and Hurt Park neighborhoods (the Gainsboro District came later – look back next week for more on the Gainsboro District!).

The story of Old Southwest today offers hope and guidance to other inner rung City neighborhoods, as well as other neighborhoods across the country. As revitalization has reached plateaus that were once deemed insurmountable, investment continues to increase, with sale prices and
property values following suit. Today, Old Southwest is known as a vibrant, thriving neighborhood. It is well regarded for its walkable proximity to downtown, blend of commercial and residential uses, scenic Highland Park, and stunning, historic architecture.

Family Home on Albemarle Ave

Submitted by the property owners

Why they chose to live in and preserve a historic property.

We love Roanoke and the central location of the Old Southwest neighborhood. It’s an easy walk or bike to downtown, the greenway, Highland Park, and even Mill Mountain, so the location is important to us. We also love the stories and character that have built up over the 120 years since our home was originally constructed. The craftsmanship and detailing of our home show the care and thought that were put into the design and that inspires us every day.

The preservation work at their home

Our home was built in 1905 in the Queen Anne Victorian style. The front porch required extensive repairs due to a leaky roof, so we replaced the metal roof, rebuilt the internal gutters, replaced the tongue and groove wood flooring, and had some trimwork, railings, and lap siding custom milled by Ideal Lumber. We were able to retain most of the beadboard ceiling and railings. We had a great team led by Emmanuel Construction who were very respectful of the historic detailing and preserved as much as possible. The wood lap siding was also in need of repainting so we picked a color scheme that highlights the architectural style and historic detailing.

This project brought new life to the house and it makes us smile each day as we come home from work and school. It also helps to no longer dodge rotten floor boards or dripping water!

The impact of the project on the local community
While it’s a relatively small change, we hope it makes the walk down the street a bit more enjoyable for our neighbors and helps to preserve a piece of Old Southwest history.

Why is historic preservation important
Historic buildings tell a story and have an authenticity that can’t be replicated. This can be felt from something as small as a door knob to as big as a factory. Preserving entire districts is also crucial in maintaining scale, context, and relationships that otherwise would disappear based on market forces.

By preserving these structures and places, we save parts of our past for future generations to experience and enjoy, as well as honoring the craftsmanship and embodied energy that have been built to last for generations.

Community Preservation with the Alexander-Gish House

History of the Alexandar-Gish House

The exact age of the Alexander-Gish house is undocumented, but it is undoubtedly one of the oldest dwellings in Roanoke. The original portion of the house is believed to have been constructed around 1818, possibly as a wedding gift for Michael Howbert and his bride, Hannah Peffley. The land was surveyed in 1776 for the Alexander family and passed through several owners before becoming known as “Gish Woods” under the care of Nannie Coon and her husband, Samuel Gish.

In 1901, the City of Roanoke purchased the property, and it became Roanoke’s first park. The house was modified in the 1920s, changing its orientation to face the road through Highland Park. It remained occupied by a park caretaker until 1974 when it faced demolition. Thanks to the preservation efforts of Old Southwest, Inc., the structure was saved and rehabilitated. Today, the Alexander-Gish House serves as the headquarters of Old Southwest, Inc., hosting meetings, classes, and workshops. Ongoing renovations are funded through rental income, continuing the mission of historical preservation.

Preservation Work and Community Impact

Submitted by neighborhood leader of Old Southwest Inc.

Today, Old Southwest Inc. (OSW Inc.), an all-volunteer neighborhood 501(c)3, oversees and finances all aspects of preservation, maintenance, and security/safety for the historic Alexander-Gish House and an acre of surrounding land in Highland Park. The house and land are owned by the City of Roanoke, and they serve as a vibrant and active OSW community center for our diverse, historic neighborhood. They are the gathering place for regular community meetings and free social, cultural, educational, community-improvement, and special-interest events and activities—both for the OSW neighborhood and, at times, for the broader Roanoke public at large. To our knowledge, Old Southwest Inc. is the only neighborhood community alliance that financially underwrites day-to-day costs, surveils, and structurally maintains its own community/recreation center at no cost to the city. This arrangement has been so since the 1980s when this city-owned property was slated for demolition and OSW Inc. (then known as the OSW Neighborhood Alliance) raised funds and oversaw its rehabilitation/preservation. OSW Inc. is proud to be part of a creative and mutually-advantageous collaboration with the City.

OSW Inc. relies on volunteerism, as well as active and creative fundraising, to achieve the required level of support to maintain this facility for safe and inviting public use. Annual day-to-day costs average approximately $10,000-$12,000. This figure does not include any costs for repairs or improvements. Fundraising efforts, accomplished completely by neighborhood volunteers, include: managing the rental of a small studio apartment in the house (adding in a small way to the city’s affordable housing inventory), promoting and managing limited public event rentals (just enough to meet expenses, while not interfering with the house being available for free community/public events), and an annual Parlor Tour of Historic Homes fundraiser that attracts hundreds of people from the area to the OSW neighborhood. The fundraiser raises awareness and appreciation for the historic Alexander-Gish House, urban historic preservation in general, and the vibrancy of this historic city neighborhood as a desirable urban area in which to live, work, play, and invest as part of the City of Roanoke. The house is open to the public during the Parlor Tour fundraiser, serving refreshments and various arts and culture entertainments.