In 1914, four Italians pitched tents on West Main Street and began constructing two Foursquare houses of granite from Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The work was commissioned by two brothers, Charles and Peter Booth. Peter Booth's former residence is open for today's tour.

The stones travelled to Danville by rail, and were hauled from the train to the building site by horse and wagon. Each stone in both houses is hand-dressed; no
two are alike. Both dwellings reflect two years' work by Italian craftsmen who built a wood scaffold from which to lay up walls two feet thick.

Peter Booth sold his house in 1926 to Mr. J.M. Thomas and his wife Florence. In 1957, it was purchased at auction from the Thomas estate by Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Fowlkes. Now, nearly 50 years later, Ruth (Fowlkes) Callahan remains the caring steward and mistress of the house—having lived here with her first husband, Mr. Fowlkes, until his untimely death in 1966, and through her long and happy marriage to Mr. Edwin "Bay" Callahan, who died last year.

Over the years, service areas like the butler's pantry and breakfast nook, were joined to create an open kitchen and sitting area for the four children reared here. Also, a former porch off the kitchen was enclosed to create an airy, blue-and-white Florida room, overlooking the backyard gazebo surrounded by azaleas and English box. Through the years, Mrs. Callahan and her family have filled the house with antiques and collections which reflect the dwelling's Edwardian-era origins. Each room on the first floor and its effects tells a story—from North Carolina Governor Reid's dining room table to the player piano from the city's old Bijou Theatre, plus cranberry glass and enamelware, to mention only a few choice items. These furnishings, art objects and memorabilia are set off against birch woodwork throughout the house of 23 rooms, 68 windows and eight fireplaces.