Pebbledash Was Popular a Century Ago

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 marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.