A House With No Name.

[Robert Gray]

In the Mathew Brady collection of Civil War photographs at the National Archives are two negatives showing the front and back of an impressive, three story house. It is situated on a tree-lined street with other houses visible in the neighborhood. A family is grouped about the building including a mother and infant in a first floor window. It is a tranquil oasis in a country torn apart by war. We know nothing about who took the pictures or the location of the residence. What inspired the photographer to record this scene? We may never know. Perhaps a print exists that will answer these questions. We can only hope it may someday be discovered.

National Archives:
NARA-526372 (111-B-2177)
NARA-526247 (111-B-2020)

 

[iron bender]

Impressive home and an impressive old oak? in front. That tree is a monster. If that's a three-story house then that's a 60 foot tall tree. Two kids sitting in front of the tree give a scale of how big it is

 

[RobertP]

The rear of that home has taken some damage, it's certainly in poor condition compared to the front. Is that a cannon ball hole between and slightly above the two windows in the rear wing?

 

[lupaglupa]

First impressions - it's a house in a town. The outbuildings don't look like they belong to a farm house. The pediment on the front door is very fancy and the size is impressive. It's owned by someone with money. I'd guess it's in the North or upper South. The out-buildings are close to the house. The rear addition looks like it could be a kitchen. In the deep South that would likely be separated from the main structure.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

I'm puzzled over what that "sluice" (for lack of a better word) is that extends from the window at the left of the rear of the house. At first I thought it was a gutter that was sagging, but it looks like it could have been used to handily dump water or some other such liquid out the window. This would save having to carry a heavy bucket downstairs.

 

[lupaglupa]

It could just be a gutter. If you look at how much of the upper roof would drain into that corner you can imagine they would want to redirect that water.

 

[RobertP]

Definitely a mountain range beyond what appears to be a town/village behind the house. If that is combat damage at the rear could be Shenandoah region of Virginia. Federal style, 1780-1830, hope it is still there.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

It could just be a gutter. If you look at how much of the upper roof would drain into that corner you can imagine they would want to redirect that water.

Yes I think it clearly serves the purpose of redirecting the water off the roof too - that would keep it clean. But see how it is attached under the window? And the wooden brackets holding it up are quite large. Also, I don't see any gutters anywhere else on the house, even at the front door which is not protected by a porch. It is just an odd thing I have never seen before…

 

[Lubliner]

It is somewhat unsettling to look and know that once the storm of battle passes things can return to a normal pace of life.
Lubliner.

 

[BCS1973]

Yes I think it clearly serves the purpose of redirecting the water off the roof too - that would keep it clean. But see how it is attached under the window? And the wooden brackets holding it up are quite large. Also, I don't see any gutters anywhere else on the house, even at the front door which is not protected by a porch. It is just an odd thing I have never seen before…

Perhaps a convenient way to empty chamber pots and let mother nature flush it??? idunno?

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Perhaps a convenient way to empty chamber pots and let mother nature flush it??? idunno?

Especially if there was a barrel or special tank of some sort for the waste to collect in. This is a very nice looking house - aside from the damage on the back and side of it. Who knows what creative "inventions" individuals used to make their homes more comfortable.

 

[milhistbuff1]

526372 page in collection and 526247 page

Wondering if 526246 and 526245 are a neighboring house on same road. Fencing and trees look similar.

 

[Robert Gray]

526372 page in collection and 526247 page

Wondering if 526246 and 526245 are a neighboring house on same road. Fencing and trees look similar.

Yes. There is a similarity.

 

[lupaglupa]

526372 page in collection and 526247 page

Wondering if 526246 and 526245 are a neighboring house on same road. Fencing and trees look similar.

If you look at the far left of the shot taken of the back of the house (526247) you can see another structure, seemingly across the street from the "no-name" house. Could that be the house in the picture below (526246) -

 

[Robert Gray]

If you look at the far left of the shot taken of the back of the house (526247) you can see another structure, seemingly across the street from the "no-name" house. Could that be the house in the picture below (526246) -

View attachment 574026

That is a possibility. The roofs look similar.

 

[Mike Serpa]

It doesn't look like a rain gutter to me. No gutters anywhere else around the house. Maybe a 2X4? But for what purpose? Or. am I seeing things?

 

[gc45]

The roof looks saggy or damaged; maby what we are seeing is a facia board that became unattached.

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

The roof looks saggy or damaged; maby what we are seeing is a facia board that became unattached.

I'm wondering though if the roof of the back addition (Kitchen?) was intentionally angled down and away from the main house so as to keep water from damaging it. Any water running off the roof would hit the sluice or gutter at a point where gravity directs it away from the window and not towards. The thing under the window is a puzzlement.

 

[eBrowne]

It is not a detached facia board as it has two supports by each window; is quite thick and lays in a notch in a board that connects to the house under the open window. Notice the shadow that that supporting board projects on the clapboards. Why would this supporting board be attached in this manner? It would allow you to step out of the 2nd story window onto the roof, but it is bizarre.

 

[milhistbuff1]

It is not a detached facia board as it has two supports by each window; is quite thick and lays in a notch in a board that connects to the house under the open window. Notice the shadow that that supporting board projects on the clapboards. Why would this supporting board be attached in this manner? It would allow you to step out of the 2nd story window onto the roof, but it is bizarre.

Access for repairs perhaps?