13. Blair House
480 Church Street - Privately Owned
This house was built in 1871 by Frank S. Blair. Following service as an officer in the Confederate Army, Blair moved to Wytheville where he taught school and studied law under Andrew Fulton. Blair later became the Attorney General of Virginia. This home has been a private girl's school and a summer boarding house. With the arrival of the railroad, Wytheville became a destination for summer visitors from the warmer sections of the South, particularly New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. Boarding houses such as the Blair House and numerous hotels catered to the summer visitors.
14. Rich House
115 West Withers Road - Privately Owned
This beautifully restored home belonged to Mr. William W. Rich who had his residence and furniture-coffin factory at this site. In 1876, Rich advertised his ability to perform custom work for hotels and "watering places." As a furniture maker and undertaker, William supplied the merchandise for the Rich family shop which was located on Main Street. The house is typical of Post-Civil War construction dating back to 1877. The factory operation was to the right of the house, and employed nine hands in 1880. The Rich factory was later converted to steam power and stayed in business until 1881. Although the furniture shop closed in 1881, Rich operated a saw and planing mill in or near Wytheville in the 1890's.
15. John R. Kent House
185 East Withers Road - Privately Owned
This home is known as the John R. Kent House. Built around 1880, this two-story frame house is shown on the 1880 Gray Map with John R. Kent shown as the occupant. A later owner of the home was Robert W. Lawson. The original kitchen and dining room of this house are located in the basement.
16. Plumer College
210 East Withers Road
Plumer College, originally a private home, was founded in 1882 as the Wytheville Female College but was later named Plumer Memorial Female College. For 32 years, Miss Laura Short, along with her three sisters, ran a boarding school for young ladies. There was also a day school for both boys and girls at the college preparatory level. During the summer months, the Shorts had many summer boarders from the South. After the school closed in 1929, they continued to entertain their summer guests. Plumer College has been an apartment building for many years.
17. Dr. Sayers Home
205 East Withers Road - Privately Owned
Dr. Samuel Rush Sayers bought this property and house in 1868. In the 1890's, Sayers served as the President of the Wytheville Foundry and Machine Company, manufacturer of plows, castings, circular saw mills, turbine water steels, and other iron products.
Civil War History: The Battle of Wytheville ~ During the Battle of Wytheville, in July of 1863, this home was in the path of retreating confederate troops as they attempted to get to the train depot south of town. Fired upon by Union troops, the home was hit leaving a bullet hole in the stairs at the front of the house. Dr. Sayers served with the Confederate Army as a surgeon. His experience with the troops served him and his patients well. He was a highly regarded surgeon and traveled into surrounding areas on horseback to practice medicine.
