The Hampshire represents the only one of today's cottages that is still known by it's Sale/Nelson era name. This post is the second in a series highlighting Capon's historical structures....
The Hampshire:
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| Springtime 2015 |
In 1891, Capt. William Sale purchased Watson Town Lot 15, the property on which the Hampshire Cottage now stands. The deed does not mention any structures, so like some other buildings, it is not definitely known whether the Hampshire was a house renovated by Sale or one of his new constructions. A 1911 Charles Nelson brochure gives Sale the credit for building the Hampshire. It was most likely named after the county where Capon is located- the oldest in West Virginia. For awhile, the cottage was known as the Dodson Cottage, for the York, PA family which rented it. (For several years, even after 1932, the Dodsons continued to rent the cottage.)
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| Photo from a 1911 Charles Nelson brochure |
The exterior of today's Hampshire closely resembles the Hampshire of Sale's era. The symmetrical two-story frame weatherboard building has a hipped roof with a wooden cupola and front porches with Victorian style balustrades similar to other buildings around the grounds. The roofed porches make it ideal for socializing and people-watching, rain or shine.
In 1989, Capon crews added a fire tower to the rear of the building and a bath tower on the left, giving all 10 rooms private baths. During the winter of 2001-02, the Hampshire again underwent exterior and interior renovations. A bath tower was added to the right side, and a addition was built onto the back, providing space for a living room and linen storage on each floor. Each room received a makeover, including new doors, windows, walls, ceiling, flooring, fixtures and furnishings. In 2016, both first and second floor front porches were completely replaced.
Have you enjoyed a stay with us in the Hampshire? Do you have any stories from visits before the renovations?
