Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504250003
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The only place to turn around is in Ralph Smith's driveway. He owns the huge stone house that sits just below the Mill Mountain Star. The house lies 700 feet above the Roanoke Valley, and the view is stunning. The land slopes away at a dizzying angle, and the entire city is spread out below like a toy village.
If you've ever wished you could enjoy the spectacular view from inside the house, but had the bad luck not to be personally acquainted with Smith, now's your chance.
The house, known as "Rockledge," is one of five homes and gardens that will be open to the public during Historic Garden Week in Virginia, which runs April 22-29.
For the past 62 years, homes all over the state have been open for tours at this time. Roanoke has participated in the event since 1956, and perhaps even earlier, said Joyce Rice, chairman of this year's program. Two local organizations, the Roanoke Valley Garden Club and the Mill Mountain Garden Club, sponsor the event.
The purpose of the April 29 tour "is to raise funds for preservation and restoration of historic properties," Rice said.
Since 1929, more than $5 million has been raised by the Garden Club of Virginia and put to use for projects at Monticello, the University of Virginia, Poplar Forest, Smithfield Plantation in Blacksburg and other historical sites.
The houses themselves are a big drawing card, but "we stress the gardening aspect," Rice said. In most cases, however, vistors get "a little bit of both," Rice said. "They can see what other people have done with their gardens and also tour the house and get some decorating ideas."
In other parts of the state, most of the houses date back to the 18th century. But because Roanoke wasn't chartered until 1882, "we don't have a lot of historic homes," Rice admitted.
In fact, Rockledge, which should not be confused with an inn of the same name which once sat atop Mill Mountain, was built in 1929 by William P. Henritze, the very model of a modern millionaire, who made his fortune with a movie theater and other investments. The house remained in his family for 60 years.
Smith, who owns a trailer hitch installation business, bought it in 1992.
"I've always loved old houses," he said, and this one was in such good shape, he had to buy it. "It's just so unique. It's a part of Roanoke," he said.
The house sits on a ledge carved out of Mill Mountain, and its exterior walls are made of the stone that was dug up in the process.
The house has 19 rooms and sits on an acre of land, most of which is vertical. Terraced stone paths connected by six stairways surround the house on all sides, winding past gardens, sitting nooks, and an impressive collection of statuary tucked into niches along the walls.
The house is framed by large tulip poplars, boxwoods and azaleas. Smith has planted some annuals, and despite his busy schedule, enjoys working with them himself.
At the back of house, a bronze bust of Queen Isabella of Spain overlooks a small lawn, complete with an ornate fountain that is no longer working. Enormous urns and statuary are scattered all over the property.
Inside, the foyer and the living room floors are made of teak. The walls are paneled in cherry, burled walnut, and Mississippi gum. The downstairs rooms are all open to each other and are connected by graceful gothic archways.
Smith rescued two marble busts from the garden, and they sit in the living room, along with a painting of Robert E. Lee that dates back to 1870, and the only mural that was sold when the Hotel Roanoke closed in 1989.
Beyond the living room is a library; the dining room, with beveled glass doors that magnify and enhance the city lights at night; a sunny breakfast nook with windows on three sides; a small den Henritze called the "radio room"; and a completely remodeled kitchen. The floors in these rooms feature intricate inlays of darker wood.
Upstairs, a large foyer separates the two wings of the house. The master suite takes up the entire front wing and features a built-in pedestal for the bed, so the occupant can enjoy the view through the large windows without getting up. Two smaller rooms and a balcony open off the master bedroom, and a huge bathroom, part of which was formerly the maid's quarters, adjoins it.
Built-in sconces in this room and downstairs have shades made of thin strips of deep red banana wood.
The other wing consists of four more bedrooms, one featuring a dressing room with a built-in vanity. Most of the rooms open onto a balcony or a sun porch.
The entire third floor is taken up by a huge ballroom, hung with chandeliers Henritze salvaged from a theater. He watched movies and stored antiques in the room, Smith said, but Smith uses it for entertaining.
Because of his interest in antiques and artwork, the house is suitably decorated with massive old pieces, oil paintings and statuary.
"It's really for entertaining a lot of people," Smith said, "not for accommodating living." Although he feels at home at Rockledge, he said, it's a little like living in an old grand hotel.
Smith, a Roanoke native who is fond of his hometown, agreed to open his house to the public because "I feel like I owe it to Roanoke and to Virginia," he said.
Last year, Rice said, about 800 to 900 people participated in the event, an average number for a program that is "at the mercy of the weather."
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