1319 Grainger Avenue
"Columned Portals"
A New Caretaker Has Been Selected
Thank You For Your Interest
Historic Home Interviewing
For Caretaker Position
1319 Grainger Avenue started life as a typical East Tennessee farmhouse. Four rooms, heated by fireplaces, comprised the original house which had a detached kitchen, common in the nineteenth century. Behind the house, a brick walkway crossed First Creek and provided access to the Peters and Bradley Mill, the family business. A mill pond covered the site where Broadway Shopping Center now stands and a dam on First Creek provided power to mill corn and wheat.
Somewhere in the 1880's William Peters took over operation of the mill from his father George. Not long after that he hired the now world famous architect George F.Barber who lived in Knoxville, to create an addition for the house. George F. Barber transformed the modest dwelling into a "modern" twentieth century home complete with kitchen, bathroom, and gas lights. The Barber addition, which more than doubled the size of the house, displays Victorian and Neoclassical influences.
The house has always been a single family dwelling and was remarkably well-preserved. Chester Kilgore fell in love with the house instantly. In 1980, he became the third owner when he purchased the house from Mrs. A.P. Money. He named the house "Columned Portals" after a poem he had written earlier in life. Mrs. Money had purchased it from Lilian Peters, daughter of William E. Peters, the man who hired Barber to remodel the house. Despite the expected cracked plaster and out-dated utilities, the house was structurally sound, with the original woodwork and most of the light fixtures intact. Shortly after Mr. Kilgore took possession of the house, he discovered the original plans for the addition, drawn by Barber, tucked away in the built in china cabinet in the dining room.
Armed with the treasured Barber plans, Mr. Kilgore set about completing needed restorations as faithfully as possible. The most extensive restoration involved the prominent two story porch. He was able to salvage all but two of the original columns. Following Barber's specifications, wood was milled to replace damaged floorboards and heavy canvas tailored for awnings and floor covering. The house has been tastefully and comfortably furnished as it might have been in Barber's time with just enough modern additions to make it warm and comfortable.
The time has now come for another caretaker to take over job which Mr. Kilgore has so faithfully executed for the past 30 years. This one of a kind house, registered individually as a historic landmark with the National Registry of Historic Places, is in search of someone who can appreciate its significance, character, grandeur and will continue to honor its integrity. If you, or someone you know is such a person, please explore the rest of this website. Then get in touch with us. We would love to talk with you and point out the many outstanding characteristics and charm of this wonderful manor.
Site layout inspired by Andreas Viklund design.