Of numerous rectilinear houses of the American Foursquare plan along West Main Street, none are more distinctive than the pair of solid granite dwellings in the 2 block. These structures of hewn stone, a material rare in this city of brick and wood, stand out not only because of their exterior finish, but also on account of their singular history. 

Fashioned by four Italians who pitched tents on West Main Street just before World War I, the houses at 243 and 247 West Math are constructed of granite hauled to Danville by train from Mt Airy, North Carolina’s granite capital in that state’s northwest mountains. The work was commissioned by two brothers, Charles and Peter Booth. Today, Peter Booth’s house is the gracious home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Callahan. 

Like its near-twin next door, Peter Booth’s old dwelling is framed by exterior walls two feet thick. Its ltalian craftsmen, believed to have been in the area for construction projects at the textile mills in Schoolfield, erected the first wooden scaffold for the house in 1914 and methodically set in place each hand-cut stone, no two of which are alike, before the framework was removed two years later. Inside, the woodwork is beautifully finished birch. 

Peter Booth sold his house to Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Thomas. Some 35 years ago Mr. Jackson Fowlkes, Mrs. Callahan’s late husband, purchased it from the Thomas estate. Since his death and Mrs. Fowlkes remarriage to Edwin Callahan, the Callahans have made this already impressive structure ever more engaging with their loving improvements. The massive house boasts three full floors and an attic with a total of 68 windows and eight fireplaces, all in working order! The Callahans have filled every floor with beautiful examples of antique furniture. Cranberry glass, and enamelware in a stunning country kitchen—are only two of their many handsome, eclectic collections of period pieces. Their love of gardening is evident in the lush English boxwood, rooted by Mrs. Callahan over the years, which line the front walk and grace the back yard. The rear garden also features a quaint octagonal Victorian-style gazebo visible from the Florida room which is furnished in white wicker. 

Holiday visitors will be treated also to the Callahans’ 16 Christmas trees, decorated with ornaments from the Danbury Mint series. The Callahan’s collecting and decorating talents have not gone unnoticed beyond Danville; currently their house is being featured in two national magazines featuring the homes and design tastes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.