609 West Main Street

William T. Culpepper House #3

Index #148.

1935

Contributing

Impressive large 2.5-story brick Colonial Revival style residence recalls popularity of Georgian architecture of Tidewater Virginia; slate gable roof pierced by trio of dormers containing round-arched windows and invigorated with modillion and dentil cornice with returns; 5-bay façade focuses on stylish semi-circular central porch of Doric columns that shelters well-executed leaded glass entrance with elliptical fanlight. Above on second story is Palladian window, a diminutive version of which is in the east gable. Brick soldier course lintels with stone keystones surmount 6/6 sash windows. Sides have open porch on east and glass-enclosed porch on west, both topped in balustrades featuring Smyrna cross motif. 1.5-story 3-car garage at rear southeast is attached by covered breezeway; its 2 dormers repeat those on house and each car bay, with original overhead doors, has brick soldier course lintel with stone keystone.

Culpepper (1884-1945) was a prominent local merchant involved with cotton oil, fertilizer, motion picture theaters, hardware, and automobile endeavors; also postmaster from 1934 to 1945 and member of State House of Representatives in 1933 and State Senate in 1945. In family until 1970s. This was last of three houses Culpepper build on West Main Street, the others at 903 (ECHD Expansion#154) and 608 (ECHD #73).