April 28, 2023
A century and seventy-five years ago, American forces compelled the surrender of Mexican forces two years after a patrol crossed the Rio Grande to attack US Army positions. The dashing “Old Rough and Ready” General Zachary Taylor won election to the presidency.
And closer to home, the stone foundation of the William McCoy house was laid.
Jared and Katie VanMeter recently took possession of the storied Greek Revival mansion facing the Pendleton County Courthouse across Main Street. “Our plan,” said Jared VanMeter, “is to be a historical bed and breakfast.” Work done on the building will focus on protection and restoration, but “no huge changes,” adding that “we don’t want to affect the historical integrity of the house.”
Katie VanMeter added that “we want to restore it as it was when it was built.”
Houses constructed in the Greek Revival style seek to recreate the style of Classical Greek temples. Their designs feature symmetry, proper arithmetic proportion of elements, simplicity, and elegance.
Huge changes have come to the home over the years. After the 1862 Battle of McDowell, Union forces entered Franklin. Federal military officers commanded by John C. Fremont selected the McCoy House as a headquarters and communications post in the middle of the strongly Confederate town. William McCoy himself, despite his son serving in the Confederate ranks, offered the property for their use so the Union would not burn it down.