Home of the Month May 2008This is a featured page

2281 Vineville Avenue
by Jim Weldon

2281 Vineville AvenueThe historic home of the month for May is 2281 Vineville Avenue. It is the home to Clayton, Amy, Charley and Jozi Hellis and their dog, Cookie. The Heliss's became the owners in 2006

This intriguing three-story red brick house was designed in the "Queen Anne" style of Victorian architecture.

J.D. Hough, general manager of one cotton mill and president of another, started the house in 1895 and completed it in 1896. Mr. Hough died four years later and the property was bought by a man named Willingham who never lived in the house

Charlie Peavy, who was in the furniture business, was the next owner of the house. He and his family lived in the house for nineteen years. The Peaveys had seven children.

Miss Mary Barnes Smith, a school teacher at Clisby Elementary school across the street, became owner of the property in the late 1930's and converted the house into apartments. Miss Smith's niece inherited the property in 1960 and in 1971 she sold the house to a realty company.

2281 Vineville AvenueWilliam Ashmore, a realtor, purchased the property in 1975 and he began the monumental task of restoring the house to a single family dwelling. During this time, six kitchens, four bathrooms, four add-on rooms, an outside staircase and numerous partitions were removed.

Zack Dozier, an attorney, and his wife Brenda, an artist, purchased the property in November 1983. Restoration of the house had been substantially completed but much work needed to be done. Spindles were replaced on the porch rails, the main interior hall "arch" was redesigned to add character to the hallway.

In 1954 tornado winds had blown off the roof of the tower. The unusual design and difficulty of access to the roof had discouraged other owners from attempting this part of the restoration. The project was undertaken by Brenda Dozier, and completed in the spring of 1984.

The house is significant that it was veneered with brick rather than the wooden shingles often found in this period. Interior detailing in the house is concentrated on the original oak wainscoting, pocket double doors and the eight mantels. Each mantle has a unique design, with the Library being noteworthy due to Bird's Eye maple used for construction. All floors are heart of pine, with exception of the front portion of the hall which is tile. Ceiling heights are 14'. Heavy pronounced moldings dominate the hall and dining room.

Recent renovations have been numerous and have included kitchen and bath remodels. The e exterior of the home has recently been painted. The exterior garden, includes a courtyard which, weather permitting, is on of Clayton and Amy's favorite spots to relax. The high brick courtyard walls offer significant privacy while providing a backdrop for many of their plants. The dogwood trees and the snowball bushes are among the Amy's favorites. Creating pottery is one of Amy's talents and soon she will offer pottery classes from a studio in the home.

2281 Vineville Avenue



nmcarthur
nmcarthur
Latest page update: made by nmcarthur , Oct 20 2008, 7:50 PM EDT (about this update About This Update nmcarthur Edited by nmcarthur

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