Holroyd Homes

The early settlers of Athens left for others to enjoy the homes they had designed and built. Among those illustrated in the sections Pioneer Days and Late 19th and 20th Century above, the Holroyd family homes illustrate beauty by both simplicity and elaborate detail.

After the Civil War Reverend William Holroyd relocated his family from a couple of miles away to what is now Athens, where he built the Mountain House. Rev. Holroyd had been the pastor of the Methodist Church in the growing community since 1858. The preacher obtained a license to operate an "ordinary," or ale house, within the building. The Mountain House was located where Parker Bros. store used to stand and where the First Community Bank is currently situated. Read about the Mountain House in the Commerce Chapter in the Lodging section.

Three homes were built by sons of Rev. Holroyd--Samuel, William and James. Samuel and William were physicians and James was on the faculty at Concord State Normal School. The home of Samuel Reynolds Holroyd on North State Street is shown in the gallery soon after construction. Built three stories tall and topped with an impressive turret, the house was understandably called the "Holroyd Mansion" at the time. It is still impressive. Joe Blankenship, the current owner, opened it for photographs in 2012 during his restoration process. Exterior and interior photographs, early and more recent, appear in the slide show.

William Henderson Holroyd built his home on Vermillion Street just west of the Methodist Church. It, too, is illustrated in the slide show. The house included ornate gingerbread trim in the gables, a second-level balcony overlooking the growing town, and touches of stained glass in the upper double-hung windows. With central fireplaces and bay windows on both the first and second levels, the house demonstrated a wonderful blend of durability, usefulness, and beauty. The Bradley's, who owned a pharmacy and confections store next door, lived in the house for many years. Unfortunately, the house was demolished.

The James French Holroyd House was built on South State Street. It is pictured above in the anchor photo for Late 19th and 20th Century houses, with additional photographs in the slide show. Daughter 'Miss Ella' Holroyd lived in the home throughout her life.