This week Picturing the Past is featuring two craftsman
style pebbledash homes that will be part of the upcoming Historic House Ramble. 

Pebbledash is a rough stucco exterior finish mixed with
pebbles.  It was popular in Brevard and
throughout Western North Carolina during the early 20^th
century.  Much of its popularity was
likely from well-known Asheville architect Richard Sharp Smith.  Smith had come to Asheville as the
supervising architect for the Biltmore House in 1889 and went on to build a large
private practice. 

The west side of the Henry House features many elements noted architect Richard Sharp Smith commonly used.

He designed several buildings in Brevard, including the Henry
House in 1903.  The one-and-one
half story Craftsman style home includes Smith’s signature details of pebbledash
stucco and half-timbered exterior, with diamond-paned windows and multiple
gables.  Some of Smith’s architectural
drawings, including Mrs. Henry’s Cottage, are available online at
ncroom.buncombecounty.org.

The Cleveland-Kizer House, built a few years after the
Henry House, has a combination of exterior finishes as well.  The walls are pebbledash stucco with
contrasting brick corners.  Wood shingles
cover the large front gable.  Alex Kizer
rented the house around the time he was appointed as county accountant in
December 1930.  The Kizer’s purchased the
home, which is still owned by family descendants, in 1932.

Next week Picturing the Past will the stone houses that
will be open during the Historic House Ramble.

Photographs and information for this column are provided
by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. 
Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more
about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information,
comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at [email protected]
or 828-884-1820.