Masterpiece Theatre

Now that the living room is starting to take shape, I figured it was time to invite you in for a story by the hearth. You see, our charming little house came with quite a history, and we'd like to share some of that history with you. What follows is an excerpt from what Andy and I affectionately call "the Book," written by local historian, Ruth Lincoln Kaye. So relax, pull up a chair, and grab a glass of scotch. No ascots or smoking robes required.

This little gem of a house was built between 1852 and 1854. Originally two rooms over two, with fireplaces in the living room and front bedroom, it has changed very little except for addition of a back wing between 1902 and 1907.

It is of a style that architectural historians fondly term "vernacular," meaning peculiar to the time and place, a local style. Some local historians wept buckets at the destruction of a similar house in 1989 in the 100 block of Franklin Street. It bore remarkable similarity to the house at 702 S. Fairfax, yet could not be saved.

In 1972 the house on Fairfax was placed on the Alexandria Map of Historical Significance in the category, "should be retained," and thus has protection from drastic change.

In the beginning, and well into the 20th century, the house was inhabited largely by people of blue collar background: an Irish shopkeeper (who built the house), carpenter, fisherman, gunner, son of a grocery store owner, meat cutter, and so on. Now with the emerging of the Southern sector of town as a prime place to live, these houses are being snapped up by young professionals who enjoy the ambiance and the antiquity of the neighborhood.

It seems impossible, but in 1859 the house was sold at public auction for a paltry $205. Again in 1884 in went for a mere $125. Things began to pick up, though, as anyone in the market of selling or buying can tell you. Now, beautifully restored in keeping with its character, 702 S. Fairfax Street is, to reiterate, a real gem.

To be continued...