William Walker House

MA-113
Duncannon Road
ca 1795/2nd Quarter of 19th Century

When William Walker (1769-1841) married Jane Bates (1776-1839) in 1795, her parents had the first portion of this two-story house built as a wedding present. The Walker House, also referred to as the John D. Harris House and as the Cedars, was owned by prominent citizen John D. Harris (1828-1905) until he purchased Blythewood (MA-195). (See MASW-44)

The Residence was originally constructed in the Federal style and faced southward toward Boone’s Trail. The central portico and two one-room two-story wings on either side of the original block were added around 1830, creating Greek Revival detail and reorienting the house to face westward toward a new road. 

The two-story pedimented portico is supported by four tapering brick pillars. The central bay of the house, which the portico shelters, is separated visually from the wings by white plaster applied over the exterior brick. Each window is capped by identical brick jack arches, although the size of the second-story’s windows is smaller than that of those on the first story. The second story’s central window is tripartate, with sidelights flanking the sash. Sidelights also appear at the central doorway below. The central passage leads to rooms on either side, each having an interior brick chimney on the gable ends. The Walker House represents an excellent example of a Madison County building which was updated from the Federal to Greek Revival style.