Tour of Homes

230 E. Liberty St.

A pivotal house. This home and the residence next door were built as wedding presents for twin sons by B.F. Rawlinson, the designer of the first three homes on this block. Interesting details of the house include unusual heart-shaped designs in the windows surrounding the doors of the upper and lower stories. The house, which rests on stone corner pillars, rises above an earthen cellar. The supportive beams of the house are secured by pegs and are each carved with Roman numerals to make construction easier. Inside, the formal rooms boast similar but distinctively different moldings and headings on and above doors and windows. Mr. Charles Boyd is the present owner-occupant.

The earliest deed was recorded from Cynthia Moore to James Mason, husband of Mrs. Moore's daughter, Mary Mason, in 1866. Cynthia's granddaughter became the owner in 1907 and continued to live in her grandparents' home until her death in 1954. The house then became the home of Mrs. Floy Hammett and later of her granddaughter, Bobbie Jean Barnwell, who with her husband “Pete” extensively and sensitively restored the house in 1992.

The Boyds have lovingly maintained the house, adding many new comforts and furnishing it with family “treasures” Mr. Boyd, himself a twin and son of a twin, feels at home in this gracious house. Mr. Boyd's son-in-law is a direct descendant of Col. Wiliam Bratton and George Mason IV, Patriots from the Revolution. The home was purchased by Charles D. Boyd and his wife, the late Susie Bankhead Boyd.

South side East Liberty Street