McNeer House

McNeer House

McNeer House HABS/HAER

McNeer House

1919. North side of U.S. 219, .25 mile north of Salt Sulphur Springs

This frame Colonial Revival mansion is set back from the highway at the end of an expansive and extensively landscaped yard, appearing as something of a mirage in an area characterized by houses of lesser size and style. Symmetry commands every aspect of the design; a central two-story Tuscan portico is flanked by tripartite windows at both levels, and one-story, roundended porches extend the composition on both sides. Pedimented dormers punctuate the hipped roof, and twin chimneys with arched openings provide a handsome flourish atop the ridge.

Obviously intended as a showplace, the house was built by bachelor Lewis Caperton McNeer to share with his sister and her family. A photograph taken by a WPA photographer shows the house to be virtually unchanged since 1938 and presumably little altered from its original appearance.

Writing Credits