17th Annual Walking Tour Archive – Danville Historical Society
Historic Designation: | Traylor House |
Address: | 725 North Main Street |
1989 Owners: | Mr. & Mrs. William L. Blair |
Description: |
In his 1971 Architectural Inventory of Danville, preservation planner Russell Wright praised this picturesque house as being of great importance to its neighborhood and a rare and NOTABLE example of brick Queen Anne architecture in the North Main area. It is among the earliest Queen Anne-style structures extant anywhere in town, dating from 1880 when the Italianate and Renaissance Revival styles were still the most favored by local homebuilders. This solid house was built for Alonzo Wilbur Traylor by architect—contractor T. B. Fitzgerald, who at the time owned and developed much of the land in the Town of North Danville, incorporated In 1877. For many years, deeds for the early homes in this and adjacent blocks referred to North Main Street by its early name, Franklin Turnpike. Built at the corner of Franklin Turnpike and Thomas Street, Mr. Traylor’s brick home was a substantial addition to the growing town; the bricks, it is said, were made in T. B. Fitzgerald’s brick yard on Clay Street Just west of here. Mr. Traylor lived here about 18 years with his wife, the former Virginia
Southall. Shortly after coming to Danville from his native Lynchburg, he was partner with T.B. Fitzgerald in the manufacture of wagons and buggies; later he entered in this business himself. Ultimately he was principally engaged in hardware and banking Over the past 15 years, since purchasing the house in 1974, Mr. and Mrs. Wiliiam L. Blair have continued the tradition of love and appreciation for this venerable old home evidenced by the families that preceded them here. They have filled its rooms with their antique pieces and collections, including Mr. Blair’s multitude of antique bottles of Southern and local origin. Outside, they have added ironwork fashioned by local metalworker Billy Farmer. |