Buckingham County Houses: Saratoga, Part IV
Serpentine Wall, University of Virginia. Courtesy Boston Public Library.
Need to catch up, click here: Buckingham County Houses: Saratoga, Part I
The gardens at Saratoga were also impressive. Elizabeth McCraw wrote in 1938: “The original flower garden at ‘Saratoga’ was enclosed by a serpentine brick wall which Mr. Jefferson afterwards copied at the University of Virginia. Colonel Hubard did not like the ‘prison like walls’ erected by his father, so he had them torn down and two double slave quarters built from the brick.”
Twenty-two years later, Mrs. R. J. Wojnicki discussed the gardens at Saratoga in an article for The Daily Progress, writing: “The flower garden once contained 150 varieties of roses. . . . An attempt was made to relocate the flower garden and all the roses were killed.”
In her article, “’Saratoga’ Was Birthplace of Many Notables,” Mrs. Wojnicki described the mansion house as it stood in 1960:
The original house, which still stands, is made of yellow stuccoed brick. Timbers were hand-sawed and hewn by hand. Frame additions later were joined to the main house.
The entrance to the home is through a small portico cornered with white columns. The heavy oak door has six panels and is framed with its original pattern in cranberry cut glass. The huge brass knocker is still attached to the door.
At that time, the main floor housed a spacious library and a large reception room, with folding doors leading to the dining room. Some of the original wallpaper could still be seen, in addition to a few original window treatments.
Part of the foundation for the old kitchen was visible in the yard, as well as a brick tunnel which ran from the house to the kitchen. Dr. John Hubard’s old office building was located to the left of the main house. According to Mrs. Wojnick, the office was built on the foundation of old slave quarters.
In 1960, the owners were the parents of Mr. Eugene Hammond of Cleveland Ohio, who had purchased Saratoga in 1943.
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Thanks, once again, to Phil James for sharing Mrs. Wojnick’s article.
slate river ramblings . . . . 
Yes, I too would like to know – if it is still standing – and where is it located?
Thanks for your comment. I will make some inquires.
Also, in 1938, Elizabeth McCraw described Saratoga’s location as 4.3 miles south of Sprouses Corner, off Route #15 on a private road.
Faye,
I don’t know. Perhaps someone will speak up!
Joanne
is this still standing ( I hope it is and occupied ) !
The home is still standing and has been nicely restored by the current owners. My family (the Kellys) owned Saratoga from 1963 until 1978. Unfortunately many of the very large trees surrounding the house have died in recent years (they were very old). The Southern Magnolia in front of the house was still standing when I visited about 10 years ago.
Patrick,
Many thanks for your comment. Several Slate River Ramblings followers have asked if Saratoga is still standing.
Joanne