Has anyone seen the strange old house near Hillsville? (Laurel: for sale, hotel)

[lovemycats]

When I was a kid, we used to take old route 21 and 52 through Virginia to West Virginia. Somewhere in Virginia there used to be a strange old Victorian-looking house right on the road.

I always wanted to know the details about it. I tried to Google it and didn't find it.

Does anyone remember it and know exactly where it is? I'd love to show it to my husband when we visit Virginia next weekend.

Thank you!

[vamtncat]

I think the house you are referring to is known as the Sydna Allen house. It is on route 52 in Carroll County between Hillsville and Cana. I tried to find a picture online to no avail. You might want to contact the Carroll County Historical Society in Hillsville for more info. It is a neat and creepy place!

[ReadytoRetire]

You should be able to see it here (third one down on the right)

Department of Historic Resources

[clawhammerist]

There is another really unusual and bizarre-looking house in this same area that I'm curious to know more about. This one can be seen from I-77, sitting on a frontage road on the west side of the interstate, just north of the Fancy Gap exit in Carroll County. It reminds me of a colonial house, something more in character with SE Virginia than SW. The gambrel roof is its strangest feature, perched on top of an already tall two-story + house (the proportions of which look even stranger because it appears to be only one room deep).

I've known of this house for about four years, as I have driven that stretch of I-77 numerous times during this period. It never seems to have changed, though--meaning, it appears that it's neither being restored NOR allowed to deteriorate further. Exiting the interstate to take a closer look reveals that the house is, by all appearances, vacant, but perhaps not totally abandoned.

Does anyone know anything about this strange house? I have checked the historic register lists available online, but haven't uncovered anything. It could well be one of the oldest structures still standing in this part of the state, and it is certainly unique in the region, as far as I know...so it's hard for me to believe that there's no information available about it.

Anyone?

[dogluver]

Found this online as well...
Historic Sidna Allen Home: Virginia Is For Lovers
Hopefully the link works!

[PromoPrincess]

I believe the house you're referring to is my childhood home, the Sidna Allen Home, located in Fancy Gap, Virginia. The house is now vacant. The past two years have been rough on my familiy and we haven't been able to do much work on the house. My mother is now in a nursing home and my dad's health is poor. I live near Washington, DC and my brother still lives in Fancy Gap. We're now weighing our options as to what to do with the house. I would love to restore it to its original beauty... but it's very costly. I pray we can do something very soon to perserve it. Will try to update you.

[vamtncat]

Best of luck to you in keeping and restoring this beautiful old home. Times are tough right now but if you can hold onto it and wait for the country's financial mess to subside perhaps there will be some grants available to help you. These southern beauties need to be preserved!

[jsparis]

Originally Posted by PromoPrincess

I believe the house you're referring to is my childhood home, the Sidna Allen Home, located in Fancy Gap, Virginia. The house is now vacant. The past two years have been rough on my familiy and we haven't been able to do much work on the house. My mother is now in a nursing home and my dad's health is poor. I live near Washington, DC and my brother still lives in Fancy Gap. We're now weighing our options as to what to do with the house. I would love to restore it to its original beauty... but it's very costly. I pray we can do something very soon to perserve it. Will try to update you.

My mother grew up in Fancy Gap. There is an old hotel on Fancy Gap Highway that My mother loves. My grandmother and great grandmother both had their first jobs there. I am try to find out the address of the property and the owner to see if it is for sale. When it was opened it was called Blue Ridge Restaurant and Court. Are you familiar with this location and do you have any information that might be helpful? I have been try to find out and have not been successful. Thank you

[Rando991]

Lovemycats, that is the house you were looking for. I have been searching google maps and finally found it, then found this web site. We used to go by there on the way to WI from NC when I was little before I-77 bypassed it. The address is 5758 Fancy Gap Hwy, Laurel Fork, VA

[animal friend]

Originally Posted by PromoPrincess

I believe the house you're referring to is my childhood home, the Sidna Allen Home, located in Fancy Gap, Virginia. The house is now vacant. The past two years have been rough on my familiy and we haven't been able to do much work on the house. My mother is now in a nursing home and my dad's health is poor. I live near Washington, DC and my brother still lives in Fancy Gap. We're now weighing our options as to what to do with the house. I would love to restore it to its original beauty... but it's very costly. I pray we can do something very soon to perserve it. Will try to update you.

I visited the Hillsville, Carroll Co courthouse and the historical society said they wanted to restore the house but the present owners would not let them. Is that true? It is such a beautiful home and has so much history, it is a shame to let it fall down.