Buena Vista
A house on a hill with a commanding view and a history to match.
“A spacious front lawn is ornamented with cedars, crepe myrtle and maples, some flowering shrubs and a few flowers. On the right side of the approach to the house is the old well with bucket and chain which supplies the water for the house and farm.” (Library of Virginia files - see bottom of article for link)
Buena Vista - "a good view" which this magnificent home built in the early 19th century, and sitting atop a hill, certainly has. Mecklenburg County records indicate a record of 1807 for the house built by William R. Baskerville Jr. His father, William R Baskerville, Sr, was described as having “very black hair, and he was called Mr. "Black Buck" Baskerville. His son, William R. Baskerville Jr., was very involved in politics, serving for several years in the Virginia House of Delegates. Mecklenburg County historians record him being referred to as “being one of the best law-makers [they] ever had.”
“On one occasion, wishing to prevent what he thought an obnoxious measure from being enacted by the majority, he got the floor or the house and spoke for six days, until the day of final adjournment, and it is said, he, being so fluent, was never lost for a word throughout that lengthy speech.” (Library of Virginia files - see bottom of article for link)
Talk about a filibuster. Reminds me of Jimmy Stewart in, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”
Notice the massive fireplaces. “The four front windows are very large with a fancy glass panel or transom on each side with old fashion blinds over both window and side lights.”
(Library of Virginia files - see bottom of article for link)
“The porch is two story; the upper one has a rail and balusters all around it, and enters the second floor hall by a door that has eight panes of glass at the top and one solid panel at the bottom. The entrance on the first floor is thru double doors into a large long hall.”
In the photographs below you can see the two storied porch.
(Library of Virginia files - see bottom of article for link)
Here are some resources for you to explore, and that I’ve used as reference.
https://moonrakers.com/genealogy/baskerville/plantation.htm
Another resource for this home is from the Library of Virginia files: http://image.lva.virginia.gov/VHI/html/17/0446.html
