Mrs. S.A. Overbey
Known Name(s)
Mrs. S.A. Overbey
Address
Holbrook St. Danville, VA (Primary) (1939, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966-67)251 Holbrook Danville, VA (Secondary)
Establishment Type(s)
Tourist Home
Physical Status
Demolished
Description
From the Holbrook, Ross Street Historic District National Register nomination: The 3-bay, 2-story Greek Revival dwelling at 251 Holbrook is simple in form with classical detailing. The low-hipped roof has 2 interior chimneys placed laterally on the slope of the roof. The roof to wall junction has a simple boxed cornice that has been minimized by the application of aluminum siding. The facade is symmetrical with central doorway flanked by windows on either side. The windows and doors have pedimented surrounds with architrave trim. The doorway has a 3-light rectangular transom overhead and a sidelight with 2 lights over 1 panel on either side. The door itself, which is a modem replacement, is flanked by pilasters with decorative carving below the capital. The 1-story, 3-bay wooden porch has a hipped roof of asphalt shingles supported by Tuscan columns and a turned balustrade. This ca. 1895 Greek Revival dwelling is one of the earliest and more substantial dwellings built on Holbrook Street after the subdivision of the Thomas Doe Plat. It was built by Wesley Inge, a local black carpenter."
Detailed History
The 1940 census lists Sara A. Overbey residing at 251 Holbrook Street. She was born circa 1867, meaning that she was 100 years old when the 1966/67 Green Book listed the Mrs. S.A. Overbey Tourist Home. The 1950 census lists Mamie E. Overbey, white, widowed, age 75, as the head of household at 605 Holbrook. Her household includes her stepson John Overbey, age 63, and a servant, Hattie J. Long, age 43. The household at 605 Holbrook would not have been the Green Book site. Unfortunately, there is no listing for Sara A. Overbey in Danville on the 1950 census.The 1966/67 Green Book issue is the only one that includes the words "Tourist Home." Danville land tax records do not include 251 Holbrook.
251 Holbrook is/was a contributing structure to the Holbrook Ross Street National Register Historic District, where it is referred to as the Inge House and dated to ca 1890 in one part of the nomination and ca 1895 in another: "This ca. 1895 Greek Revival dwelling is one of the earliest and more substantial dwellings built on Holbrook Street after the subdivision of the Thomas Doe Plat. It was built by Wesley Inge, a local black carpenter." Photo depicts the site today.
