The Yorkville Enquirer of Feb. 2, 1871 reported: “A fire burned the gin house of Dennis Crosby and destroyed six hundred pounds of cotton and 1,400 bushels of cotton seed.”
City Directories and History: The home of Allen Crosby once stood on a commanding knoll on what is now Wilson’s Chapel Road (old Quinn’s Road) in the Blairsville community. It was believed Dr. Allen Crosby built this house about 1845; just prior to selling his former home, the Crosby-Russell house, that stands nearby. It appears more likely, the house was built ca. 1850, but updated later by his son, Allen, about 1870 just prior to his marriage.
The house was a typical Piedmont Carolina farm house, sometimes known as an “I” house; i.e. a two story structure, flanked by chimneys on both ends. The front porch ran the full length of the house, the roof supported by double columns and trimmed with delicate gingerbread. The porch roof covered a unique bay window on the left front of the house, gracing the parlor. The presence of the gingerbread work and the bay window leads one to believe it was built later that previously though or it was added at some later date when the house was up-dated.
The short avenue leading to the house was lined with elms, while oaks encircled the side and rear. A brick walkway lead from the avenue to the front steps. The front door was double and enhanced by glass panels on either side.
Inside the visitor was greeted by a stairway boasting massive newel posts and hand-turned balusters. The flooring was of wide, dressed pine boards as well as the ceilings. Mantles were of a simple fluted design.
Allen Crosby (1851-1943) married in 1873 and brought is bride to this house. Dr. John Crosby also died in this house. The house was sold to R. M. Carroll who built an ell to the rear as well as a chimney for the addition. In one room he constructed a narrow stairway to make the second floor accessible form the addition. When Carroll died, the house passed to his daughter, Mrs. Quinn Wallace, who left it to her son, Rufus Wallace. In 1947, it was sold to P. G. Sherer who planned to restore it to its original state–a plan unrealized.
CROSBY’S STORE: In operation during the early 1800’s, this mercantile business was located at the intersection of Pinckney-Yorkville Road (now Highway 49) and Rutherford Road (now Wilson Chapel Road).
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