Villa Heights (house)

The Villa Heights house, also known as the Compton–Bateman House, is a historic house in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. Built in 1820, it was originally the home of Elijah McClanahan, a lieutenant-colonel in the War of 1812. It has been substantially renovated and restored over the years, including after a 2011 fire, and it is the namesake of the neighborhood of Villa Heights, Roanoke, Virginia. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018, and as of 2023 houses assorted non-profit groups.

History

Elijah McClanahan, Roanoke County's first high sheriff and a lieutenant colonel in the War of 1812, owned much of what became Northwest Roanoke City. A portion of that land was what he called "Long Meadow", an 814-acre (329 ha) estate upon which, by 1820, he built the two-story, single-pile house in the Federal style that came to be known as Villa Heights.

The house underwent multiple changes in ownership at the end of the 19th century. By 1910 it was owned by Sallie Compton, who in that year spent $1,000 to add a rear ell to the structure. This addition put a kitchen and bathroom under the same roof as the original building and added bedrooms to the second floor.

In 1923, the house was sold again to Ernest Bateman, who initiated a significant remodel. A two-story portico with Doric columns was added to the front, and more columns and other Classical revival elements were placed in the building's interior.