Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 10/09/1991
NRHP Listing Date 10/15/1992
NRHP Reference Number 92001390
Samuel Harshbarger built the original stone portion of this house, one of Roanoke County’s oldest dwellings, in 1797. The use of stone is a rare surviving reminder of a German-influenced building tradition in the area. Samuel Harshbarger came from Pennsylvania with a group of Swiss or German Brethren, known as Dunkards. The family added the brick wing around 1825. The Harshbargers are said to have been rigorous in their use of German customs and language. Their Brethren principles led them to oppose slavery. Fearing he would be unable to compete with area slave-holding farmers, Samuel’s son Jacob sold his portion of the property in 1831 and moved to Indiana. His father eventually followed him, selling his land to John Jeffries in 1837. Though now surrounded by suburban development, the Harshbarger House enjoys a protected setting. A late-20th-century restoration has enhanced its historic character.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: September 20, 2022
