Melrose (Casanova, Virginia)
Melrose | |
| Location | North of Casanova on VA 602, near Casanova, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°40′23″N 77°42′37″W / 38.67306°N 77.71028°W |
| Area | 24 acres (9.7 ha) |
| Built | 1856–1860, 1920 |
| Built by | Holtzclaw, George Washington |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003281[1] |
| VLR No. | 030-0070 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1983 |
| Designated VLR | September 5, 1981[2] |
Melrose, also known as Melrose Castle, is a historic home located near Casanova, Fauquier County, Virginia. The house was built between 1856 and 1860, and is a two-story, five-bay, L-shaped Gothic Revival style dwelling. It features a three-story-octagonal tower in the center bay and castellation along the parapet. The house was enlarged considerably around 1920 through a large addition to the west end for expanded service areas.[3]
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[1]
History
Built between 1856 and 1860, Melrose was built by Dr. James H. Murray and his brother Edward Murray. They named the castle after Melrose Abbey, a castle in their ancestral home of Scotland. In April 1862, Melrose was occupied by Union soldiers during the American Civil War, and later served as a hospital.[4]
The property was first sold in December 1863 and then changed hands many times. In 2017 the 9,000-square-foot house and 50-acre wooded lot was listed for sale at $2.2 million.[4]
Cultural references
A visit to Melrose Castle inspired mystery writer Mary Roberts Rinehart to write her first bestselling novel, The Circular Staircase (1908).[4]
References
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "Virginia Landmarks Register". Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission Staff (September 1981). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Melrose" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. and Accompanying photo
- ^ a b c Heincer, Amanda (May 24, 2017). "Historic castle for sale in Warrenton". Fauquier Times. Retrieved October 13, 2018.