National Register of Historic Places

Oakley

Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Listed
May 21, 2002
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
02000533

About this property

Oakley is a historic plantation and home located in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, Virginia. The Federal/Georgian style, 2+1⁄2-story home was built in 1828 by Samuel Alsop, Jr. as a wedding present for his daughter, Clementina. Alsop built several notable houses in Spotsylvania County including Kenmore, Spotswood Inn, and Fairview. Oakley was part of a grant of 7,777 acres (3,147 ha) given to Gawain Corbin by the King of England. Alsop bought 849 acres (344 ha) in 1816. The Georgian home was built using bricks made in two kilns that Alsop built on the property. Oakley is located near the site of many major battles of the American Civil War. A number of battles and skirmishes occurred on or near the property. According to a letter written by a resident of the house at the time, during one two-day period, the house was ransacked by "...at least 2000 soldiers tramping through the house." A Yankee soldier disobeyed his Major's orders to burn the house down. During the latter half of the 19th century, the house was neglected and used more as a barn than a home. In 1919, the property was purchased by a Mr. McHenry who wanted to mine for silver and gold. The mining project failed and, in 1926, the plantation was sold to George C. Beals. The property has been owned by the Beals since then. Running water and electricity were added in the 1940s and central heating in the 1960s. As of 2005, the Oakley farm consisted of nearly 2,000 acres (810 ha). Oakley was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 2002.

Location

10,000 Corbin Ln.
Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania County, Virginia
38.25700, -77.70828

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
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LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Finds & Access
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Literature
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Nearby Historic Sites

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County Battlefields Memorial National Military Park
Industrial
7.1 mi
Spotsylvania Court House Historic District
Listed
7.6 mi
Kenmore
Industrial
7.8 mi
Bloomsbury Farm
Early Republic
7.9 mi
Rapidan Dam Canal of the Rappahannock Navigation
Industrial
8.8 mi

Nearby Battles

Spotsylvania – Anderson's corps march to Spotsylvania
1864Civil War
1.9 mi
Chancellorsville — Catharpin Road Fighting (May 1, 1863)
1863Civil War
1.9 mi

Questions about this property

When was Oakley listed on the National Register?

Oakley was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 21, 2002.

What type of historic resource is Oakley?

Oakley is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Oakley?

The period of significance for Oakley is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Oakley?

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