May 11, 2000
National Register of Historic Places - Decatur O. Davis House (127-0177)
Statement of Significant: The Decatur O. Davis House qualifies for National Register listing under criterion C because it is illustrative of the work of Albert Lawrence West, a prominent Richmond architect and typifies his focus on Second Empire style buildings near the end of his career. Built in 1879, this fine dwelling was the home of Decatur Davis and his family until 1917, when the residence was sold and converted to a hospital. Since 1917, the building has been used for many non- residential purposes. The edifice was purchased in 1988 by the Board of Trustees of the Valentine Museum and plans are underway to rehabilitate the house for use as museum offices. The Davis House is representative of the development of the Court End district of the city of Richmond from the 1780s to 1870s and the later conversion of the neighborhood from residential to institutional uses. This change in use resulted in the demolition of many early buildings in the Court End district so the survival of the residential-scale 1000 block of East Clay Street is significant. In addition to containing several fine buildings of various dates and architectural styles, the 1000 block of East Clay Street is representative of the prolific use of architectural ironwork in Richmond during the nineteenth century, including the unusual cast- iron rondeau fence found at the Davis House.
National Register of Historic Places - Decatur O. Davis House (127-0177)
Statement of Significant: The Decatur O. Davis House qualifies for National Register listing under criterion C because it is illustrative of the work of Albert Lawrence West, a prominent Richmond architect and typifies his focus on Second Empire style buildings near the end of his career. Built in 1879, this fine dwelling was the home of Decatur Davis and his family until 1917, when the residence was sold and converted to a hospital. Since 1917, the building has been used for many non- residential purposes. The edifice was purchased in 1988 by the Board of Trustees of the Valentine Museum and plans are underway to rehabilitate the house for use as museum offices. The Davis House is representative of the development of the Court End district of the city of Richmond from the 1780s to 1870s and the later conversion of the neighborhood from residential to institutional uses. This change in use resulted in the demolition of many early buildings in the Court End district so the survival of the residential-scale 1000 block of East Clay Street is significant. In addition to containing several fine buildings of various dates and architectural styles, the 1000 block of East Clay Street is representative of the prolific use of architectural ironwork in Richmond during the nineteenth century, including the unusual cast- iron rondeau fence found at the Davis House.
May 11, 2000
Posted Date
Jul 12, 2023
Historical Record Date
May 11, 2000
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
