Page 112 - WPA Book
P. 112
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Bibler Home.
2. LOCATION:
Two miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the west side of Warm Springs Pike.
3. DATE:
June 1797.
4. OWNERS:
Built by Lewis and Barbara Bibler in June 1797. The date is cut in a stone block in the north gable end of the
house.
The Bibler family held it until about 1848, when Bibler is supposed to have died, then three generations of
Bowmans, and lastly to J. Sharpe, the present owner.
5. DESCRIPTION:
This house is built very substantially of native gray limestone, with walls fifteen or eighteen inches thick, partly
for protection from roving bands of Indians of that time.
The building is in splendid condition, with very little repairs or changes from the original architecture.
The exterior architecture is very plain, but substantial. It now has a gabled, metal roof and plain medium sized
windows of twelve panes each and very plain cornices.
The house is oblong, about forty feet or more, with a long porch over the east side of the house, with no
trimming or attachments.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
These people were very early settlers, migrated from Pennsylvania, built this substantial stone house, and lived
and died there.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informant: Rev. Jos. Bowman.
Court Records of Rockingham County, at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
August 18, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 111 of 482
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Bibler Home.
2. LOCATION:
Two miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the west side of Warm Springs Pike.
3. DATE:
June 1797.
4. OWNERS:
Built by Lewis and Barbara Bibler in June 1797. The date is cut in a stone block in the north gable end of the
house.
The Bibler family held it until about 1848, when Bibler is supposed to have died, then three generations of
Bowmans, and lastly to J. Sharpe, the present owner.
5. DESCRIPTION:
This house is built very substantially of native gray limestone, with walls fifteen or eighteen inches thick, partly
for protection from roving bands of Indians of that time.
The building is in splendid condition, with very little repairs or changes from the original architecture.
The exterior architecture is very plain, but substantial. It now has a gabled, metal roof and plain medium sized
windows of twelve panes each and very plain cornices.
The house is oblong, about forty feet or more, with a long porch over the east side of the house, with no
trimming or attachments.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
These people were very early settlers, migrated from Pennsylvania, built this substantial stone house, and lived
and died there.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informant: Rev. Jos. Bowman.
Court Records of Rockingham County, at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
August 18, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 111 of 482
