Page 136 - WPA Book
P. 136
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Collicello.
2. LOCATION:
North Liberty Street and Kratzer Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
3. DATE:
About 1812.
4. OWNERS:
Robert Gray, builder, from 1859.
Sallie W. Gray, daughter, 1859 to 1882.
Mrs. Mary C. Lupton, 1882 to 1906, by deed.
George W. Altaffer, 1906, by deed.
5. DESCRIPTION:
The house is two storied with a portico which has four columns. The main part is brick, 42 feet by 21 feet and is
now plastered over. The part on either side added later.
The original part had seven rooms, three lower, four upper with a hallway running through, and with an
enclosed stairway at the rear end of the hall. The addition of the two ends with some interior changes gives the
house as it is now, nineteen rooms in all; the rooms are all of good size and comfortable.
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Robert Gray was born in Ireland, November 1, 1781. He came to the Shenandoah Valley about 1787; was
educated at William and Mary College, in law; married Isabel, daughter of Dr. A. Waterman and built
Collicello about 1812.
Shortly afterwards, it was suggested as being unsafe and the two ends were added to make it secure. It certainly
gives no evidence now of being unsafe and no doubt will continue to stand the wear and tear of time for many
years to come. As may be seen from the pictures attached. Collicello is a fine old place, beautifully situated on a
gently sloping eminence, giving at the time it was built, a splendid view of the surrounding country. It had
beautiful grounds in front with the old spring on the north end; the old springhouse is gone long since.
Here the children of Robert Gray were born one of which was Colonel Algerrnon Gray, and much special life
centered around and about old Collicello. It was especially so when owned by the Luptons, who maintained it
as a summer resort when it was the scene of much gaiety and special intercourse. Like many another old home
it has gone down through the passing years, brought about by the encroachment of its present surroundings, its
past glories forgotten to give place to those of today.
7. ART:
Photograph.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Personal research.
June 3, 2024 Geo. W. Fetzer
Harrisonburg, VA
Page 135 of 482
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Collicello.
2. LOCATION:
North Liberty Street and Kratzer Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia.
3. DATE:
About 1812.
4. OWNERS:
Robert Gray, builder, from 1859.
Sallie W. Gray, daughter, 1859 to 1882.
Mrs. Mary C. Lupton, 1882 to 1906, by deed.
George W. Altaffer, 1906, by deed.
5. DESCRIPTION:
The house is two storied with a portico which has four columns. The main part is brick, 42 feet by 21 feet and is
now plastered over. The part on either side added later.
The original part had seven rooms, three lower, four upper with a hallway running through, and with an
enclosed stairway at the rear end of the hall. The addition of the two ends with some interior changes gives the
house as it is now, nineteen rooms in all; the rooms are all of good size and comfortable.
See form 3686, attached.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Robert Gray was born in Ireland, November 1, 1781. He came to the Shenandoah Valley about 1787; was
educated at William and Mary College, in law; married Isabel, daughter of Dr. A. Waterman and built
Collicello about 1812.
Shortly afterwards, it was suggested as being unsafe and the two ends were added to make it secure. It certainly
gives no evidence now of being unsafe and no doubt will continue to stand the wear and tear of time for many
years to come. As may be seen from the pictures attached. Collicello is a fine old place, beautifully situated on a
gently sloping eminence, giving at the time it was built, a splendid view of the surrounding country. It had
beautiful grounds in front with the old spring on the north end; the old springhouse is gone long since.
Here the children of Robert Gray were born one of which was Colonel Algerrnon Gray, and much special life
centered around and about old Collicello. It was especially so when owned by the Luptons, who maintained it
as a summer resort when it was the scene of much gaiety and special intercourse. Like many another old home
it has gone down through the passing years, brought about by the encroachment of its present surroundings, its
past glories forgotten to give place to those of today.
7. ART:
Photograph.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Personal research.
June 3, 2024 Geo. W. Fetzer
Harrisonburg, VA
Page 135 of 482
