The Octagon House

As was his vision of establishing an industrial base here in Southwest Virginia. He reportedly wanted a home that was representative of his progressive thought process. Abijah was somehow introduced to Mr. Orson Fowler who was responsible for popularizing the fad of octagon home building with his book “The Octagon House: A Home for All” in 1848. This mode of architecture was to remain an uncommon building style although there were reportedly several thousand built in the antebellum period. It was proposed by Mr. Fowler that the octagonal home would be inexpensive, give excellent views from all sides and allow for better ventilation. One other theory suggests that Mr. Fowler simply wanted to contradict the ordered and disciplined Victorian society. Abijah’s vision became reality as great brick walls rose from a knoll overlook his vast land holdings. Completed in 1858, The family would only enjoy their unusual home for a few years before their world disintegrated during the impending war.