Tavern 1785

        The “Mayor Foster House” was probably built after 1783, when John McClanahan bought the land accompanying it from the Virginia Land Company.  The core of the structure consists of two hewn oak log buildings joined by a framed portion called the dog-trot.  This area was left open to separate the living quarters from the kitchen in case of fire.  Evidence in the attic and stone basement suggest that the cabin on the old Midland Trail side (Washington Street) was built first, with the second cabin being added shortly after.  The exterior of the logs were exposed for a short time before clapboards covered them.  Covering the logs was not only a sign of refinement and status, but also has the practical value of weatherproofing, as the clay chinking typically had to be redone every few years.  The interior logs were covered as soon as possible, though they have been uncovered more recently in the back cabin and the dog-trot.

          The original roofing material was split oak shelves, some of which are still visible in the attic.  The standing metal roof was probably added when the original shakes began to fail.

          There are three masonry chimneys in the older part of the house.  Although they are all made of locally fired brick, the chimney at the rear of the back cabin has a stone base with a height of eight feet.  This chimney and its larger hearth indicate that it was probably used for cooking and that the first floor of the back cabin was originally the kitchen.  The other hearths are small and shallow, and therefore designed for heat.

          Sometime in the latter half of the 1800s, a framed addition filling in the L formed by the two log buildings (the dog-trot) was built.  This is dated by the fact that neither rip nor vertical sawn lumber was used, but circular sawn lumber, which became available only when larger water or steam driven mills became established in the area.

          A two-story porch was added and then enclosed later to facilitate a modern kitchen and exterior stairs were added for rental purposes.

          This building was a home until 1998 when it was converted to a restaurant.  During that time, it was not lived in much, but did have several interesting owners.  In 1814, Luke Bowyer owned the house along with a much older and smaller version of what it is now The Greenbrier.  Mayor William Foster owned the house and lived in it along with his family.  A Justice of the Peace, appointed by Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia, lived in the house as well.