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1. SUBJECT:

Craft House.

2. LOCATION:

Southeast corner South Main and Bruce Streets, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

3. DATE:

About 1848.

4. OWNERS:

• Thomas Harrison, part of 1290 acre patent.
• Reuben Harrison, co-inheritor from father, Thomas Harrison, 1795.
• Jeremiah Kyle from Reuben Harrison, January 24, 1824, $100.00, 5 acres, B.R.D.B. 6, page 116.
• Mary Kyle from husband, Jeremiah Kyle, by will.
• Samuel Liggett from Mary Kyle, March 19, 1838, 5 acres, record partly burnt. B.R.D.B. QE, page 146.
• Phillip Liggett from Samuel Liggett, December 30, 186, $680.78 ½ cents B.R.D.B. 19, page 110.
• Henry R. Higgins from Philip Liggett (lot) May 22, 1848. He agrees to erect a frame or brick building

• John Higgins from Henry R. Higgins, March 1849, $1200.00 obligates himself to complete the house

• Isaac Hardesty from John Higgins’ trustee, April 13, 1953, B.R.D.B. 25, page 108.
• The Misses A.M. and E.I. Strayer from Isaac Hardesty, April 1863, record burnt.
• Theopholus Ott from the Misses Strayer, January 18, 1871, $5500.00. D.B. 7, page 64.
• John P. Burke from George E. Sipe, Special Commissioner, February 1, 1896, $2600.00. D.B. 53, page 466.
• Mr. Burke is present owner.

1. DESCRIPTION:

The house has an attractive and convenient interior; a hallway through to the rear; a Colonial stairway to the second floor; the rooms are large and comfortable with high ceilings, and no doubt often echoed the voices of merry company on many happy occasions. In the rear is the flower garden not cultivated as extensively as formerly, but still pretty and green, and susceptible of being made a beauty spot.

2. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

As nearly as can be ascertained this fine old brick home was built by Henry R. Higgins, about 1848, or

possibly before, and was at the time built, and is today, one of the most attractive homes in Harrisonburg.

It is built of the best materials, the walls being heavy and laid in the Flemish bond. At the time it was built

the corporate limits did not extend that far south and all that section, both southeast and southwest was

devoted to farming, with here and their homes facing the "Great Road" or valley Pike to Staunton. The

location on which the house stands is a part of a five-acre tract conveyed by several conveyances it was

conveyed to Henry R. Higgins by Philip Liggett by deed dated in 1848, and was considered to be one of the

finest residences in the town at the time it was built.

Prominent people of the community have owned or occupied this splendid home and much hospitality and

social life has been maintained within its walls.

For some years, as at the present time, it has been known visitors to Harrisonburg. Many antiques are shown

here as well as unusual pieces and types of early furniture, while paintings and other pictures adorn the

walls. A visit through the various rooms is always of much interest, and gives an idea of the easy, happy

home life that usually prevailed in the Valley homes.

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7. ART:

8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: