Emmett Woodall bought land from the Heirs of W.P.
Gwynn December 1906. He built this house in 1908 and lived in it until
he sold it to Elbert Campbell in 1916. Emmett was an experienced builder
and lumber was plentiful with all the sawmill men around this area.
Emmett had built a house very similar to this one earlier and lived in
it about eight years and sold it to R. L. Jones just around the
mountain, behind the Methodist Church.
Elbert Campbell started to work with J.R. Kennamer in
the mercantile business in 1910. He worked for six years and bought
J.R.’s interest in 1916. Elbert went to the navy in 1917. J.R. bought
his interest back until Elbert came back from service. Elbert Campbell
and Earl Kennamer bought the interest, building, and lot in 1919 for
$3,000.00. Later Elbert’s brother joined him and he worked there until
he retired. The storehouse was called Campbell Brothers.
Mrs. Virginia (Ayers) Campbell, Elbert’s wife was
very active in the church, school, and community. She taught school
during the early years and later she taught piano lessons. Their home
was a place one could feel welcome. Mrs. Virginia took pride in helping
children in church and school, directing plays and playing the piano on
special occasions.
The two-story house is a typical farmhouse with the
dormers on the tin roof and a long porch and a chimney at one end. The
house is wood frame and it appears that the exterior wood and windows
are all original. It still has some beaded board inside, but much of it
has been wallpapered. The fireplace, with a coal grate and mantle is
still erect. The kitchen has a flue that accommodated a wood cooking
stove. In the kitchen is an area that appears to have served as a butler
pantry, since there is a fruit cellar under the kitchen. The upstairs is
spacious and more light is provided with the windows from the dormers
and the side windows.
The Campbell’s home was a place teachers, doctors,
and others chose to rent rooms. They installed an exterior door on the
left side of the house. It is said this was where the doctors, patients,
and boarders had private access to the rooms and was also near the steps
that lead upstairs.
