Downtown – Lexington, Virginia
Nelsonville “Bullseye” sidewalk paver. Produced by the legendary Nelsonville Brick Company in Athens County, Ohio, these highly sought-after collectible bricks were widely distributed throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The block is pressed with intricate concentric circles and parallel traction ridges, then heavily salt-glazed and vitrified to create a durable, glassy, non-porous finish designed to withstand heavy historic foot traffic.
The textured element visible below the windows is actually a unique foundation wall built from petrified wood. It sits directly above a row of historic, decorative Lexington geometric sidewalk bricks. Local folklore notes that these fossilized tree trunks were salvaged from nearby areas or brought in during the late 19th and early 20th centuries to serve as distinct decorative accents in the town’s historic core.
The Jackson House Museum (historically known as the Stonewall Jackson House), is located at 8 East Washington Street. Owned and operated by the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), this early 19th-century brick residence was the only home ever owned by Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, who lived here from 1858 to 1861 while working as a professor at VMI. The iconic elevated entryway stairs and exposed basement entry reflect the massive 1851 lowering of Washington Street.
The oldest part of the Dold Building dates from ca. 1820 and was built as a residence for John Irvine by the local firm of Jordan and Darst. The original side passage, one room plan was enlarged in 1826 by Samuel Darst and the line marking the addition is still clearly visible in the fine Flemish bond brick façade. A noteworthy feature, typical of Federal style buildings in the area, is the molded brick cornice. In 1830, Samuel M. Dold bought the building and it remained in his family for the next 114 years. In 1851, when the city undertook the project to lower the streets, this building received an underpinning of a whole story. The original front door was made to open on a balcony and a side door was bricked over. H. O. Dold, who ran a general store popular with generations of students and townsfolk, was responsible for adding the window-bay storefront in 1896. In 1973, the building was part of Historic Lexington Foundation’s pilot project to restore the downtown.
This is the Davidson-Tucker House, built in 1888 and located at 10 East Washington Street in downtown Lexington, Virginia. Situated immediately next door to the Jackson House Museum, this beautifully preserved residence is a classic example of Second Empire architecture, showcased by its iconic mansard roof and arched dormer windows.
J.F. Brown Real Estate Services is located right next door to the Jackson House Museum at 6 East Washington Street in downtown Lexington, Virginia. The historic brick storefront features a distinctive arched doorway and a custom hanging wrought-iron sign displaying their signature tree logo.
The Jacob Ruff House, ca. 1829
This house is a fine example of the Valley Federal style with elegant detailing including the fanlight over
the front door and a molded brick cornice. When the streets were lowered in 1851, the entrance was re-
oriented to the side. The Ruff Family had a hat factory next door in the early 1800s, but used this house
as a showroom and living space. In 1850 John Ruff deeded the property to his son, Jacob Ruff, with
permission to build a future house between the two properties. That may explain the curious
cantilevered chimney on the north side of the building. If the house had been built, it could have shared
this chimney. At the invitation of Jacob Ruff, then mayor, U.S. President Millard Fillmore visited this
house in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. G. Otis Meade III purchased the property from Historic Lexington
Foundation in 1974 and carefully restored and adapted it for use as a real estate office. (Photo ca. 1925)
The Alexander-Withrow House is one of the oldest surviving structures in Lexington. Dating from ca. 1793, it was built by William Alexander one of the area’s first settlers and the town’s first postmaster. A large and distinctive building, with unusually fine brickwork, it has undergone several renovations. It was badly damaged in the 1796 fire that destroyed much of the town, but it survived. In 1851, when the city lowered its streets, this house received a whole story underpinning it. The original front doors were now on the second floor level; the Washington Street door was bricked in and the one on the Main Street opened onto a balcony. Then in 1855, the owner, George Baker, replaced the original gable roof with a stylish, Italianate, bracketed one. Over the years, the house has served various retail functions on its ground floor and residential uses on the upper floors. The Withrow family owned it from 1875 to 1969. Historic Lexington Foundation bought it in that year, stabilized the exterior, and, in 1971, sold it to Carlson and Harriet Thomas who restored the interior and opened it as a country inn. In 1978 Peter and Susan Meredith completed the restoration.
West Washington Street in historic downtown Lexington, Virginia, looking east toward Main Street. The white hanging sign on the right marks the Cabell Gallery of Virginia Art located at 5 West Washington Street.
This is the Sheridan Livery Inn, located at 35 North Main Street in historic downtown Lexington, Virginia. Built in 1887 as a horse stable, the restored brick building operates today as a boutique inn and dining venue.
The First Baptist Church, located at 103 North Main Street. Built between 1894 and 1896, this historic Gothic Revival brick building was originally known as the Lexington African Baptist Church and has played a central role in the local African American community.
LOT ONE-LEXINGTON
In October 1777, the Virginia legislature drafted a bill to create a new county out of Augusta and Botetourt, The new county was named Rockbridge, for the natural stone bridge located within its boundaries. The same act gave details to establish the county seat to be called Lexington. On January 12, 1778 the act became law which specified the name, exact size and shape of the town. James McDowell surveyed the original town, thirteen hundred feet long by nine hundred feet wide, with six streets. There were thirty-six one-half acre corner lots with two lots designated for the Court House and Jail. Here lies LOT ONE, Lexington, Virginia.
This historic stone-faced structure at 9 East Nelson Street in downtown Lexington, Virginia, houses the Lexington Public Defender’s Office. Built around 1920, the building features rusticated stone blocks, a decorative upper cornice, and wide storefront windows typical of early 20th-century commercial architecture. Immediately down the block at 11 East Nelson Street is Brew Ridge Taps, a popular local craft beer bar and eatery located inside the historic Odd Fellows Rockbridge Lodge No. 58 building.
A version of Civil War history is remembered in inset sidewalk pavers.
Grace Presbyterian Church (historically known as Lexington Presbyterian Church), is located at 120 South Main Street in downtown Lexington, Virginia. Built in 1843 and designed by prominent architect Thomas U. Walter, the historic church is a masterpiece of Roman Revival architecture, featuring an iconic Greek Doric portico and a towering white spire equipped with a four-sided clock.
This custom metal trash receptacle on Main Street pays homage to Lexington’s history by incorporating the iconic Lexington “Bullseye” sidewalk brick design into its decorative upper panels. The town integrates these geometric motifs across its street furniture to mirror the historic vitrified pavers underfoot.
This is a view looking west down West Nelson Street. The prominent hanging sign marks Mano Taqueria, which previously operated at 3 West Nelson Street. Directly next to it is the storefront for Baby’s First Gifts, a local specialty boutique. The brick streetscape slopes upward toward the main town intersection, lined with classic brick facades and historic wrought-iron lantern lighting. Blade signs for businesses make them visible from a further distance away.
The corner building is The Palms, a long-running restaurant and bar at 101 West Nelson Street in Lexington, Virginia. It sits at the corner of West Nelson and South Jefferson Streets.
This is a view looking east down West Nelson Street. The prominent storefront in the foreground is Emrey & Amonette LLC, an accounting and financial consulting firm. Just past it down the sidewalk, you can see the hanging signs for House Mountain Yarn Company and Southern Girls Interior & Design.
This storefront is a Subway sandwich shop located at 122 South Main Street. It sits directly adjacent to Grace Presbyterian Church, occupying a historic building topped with a prominent second-floor bay window and a decorative iron weather vane.
Looking down South Main Street (Route 11) in downtown Lexington, Virginia. On the right stands the distinctive white spire of Grace Presbyterian Church, marked by a North Route 11 highway shield. Across the street on the left is the prominent brick facade housing House Mountain Yarn Company on the ground level.
The flagship storefront of Walkabout Outfitter, located at 21 South Main Street in downtown Lexington, Virginia. Founded locally in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this independent outdoor retailer specializes in hiking gear, lifestyle apparel, and technical footwear for exploring the nearby Appalachian trails.
The historic building at 22 South Main Street long housed Hess & Co. Jewelers, a landmark downtown jewelry store. It stands right next to the historic The Gin Hotel (formerly the Robert E. Lee Hotel), visible on the right.
The Gin Hotel (historically known as the Robert E. Lee Hotel), located at 30 South Main Street in downtown Lexington, Virginia. Built in 1926, this six-story historic boutique hotel features a prominent second-floor outdoor dining patio, which houses Rocca Bar & Ristorante, a popular local spot for Italian cuisine.
Pronto coffee shop has a playful vinyl outline illustration. This is carried forward in the sign that lists many different situations, and gives “Coffee” as the best response.
The Old Rockbridge County Courthouse, located at 2 South Main Street was completed in 1897. The Renaissance Revival structure served the county and independent city until a new courthouse opened in 2008.