A Little History About Your Neighborhood
Did you Know?
The Greater Deyerle area can be traced back to local farmer and builder Benjamin Deyerle (1806-1883). Benjamin Deyerle was an architect, artist and brickmaker in Roanoke County, Virginia. Many of the historic homes, churches and public buildings in Roanoke were designed and built under his and his family's direction. He is credited with building 23 of them, and perhaps more.
Benjamin had a half-brother, Joseph, and a nephew, James C. Deyerle (1825–1897), who were also masons and builders. His brother, David (1813–1898) is credited with the brickwork of the Peters Creek Church of the Brethren, the 1861 Main Building at Hollins University, and the 1861 brick addition to his own home. Most of the buildings constructed by the Deyerle family were Greek Revival in style. James C. Deyerle is also credited with the construction of the Spring Dale (Dublin, Virginia)
Benjamin married Julia Ann Shaver Deyerle (1816–1895), and their children were: Susan Catherine Deyerle Chapman (1835–1884), George W Deyerle (1840–1862); Mary Jane Deyerle McCluer (1845–1870); Henry Shaver Deyerle (1847–1923) and Bessie Deyerle Wooding (1855–1937).
He also operated a prosperous mill, a general store, and a large whiskey distillery. Mostly known as a builder, Deyerle himself was credited with constructing some of the finest homes in the Roanoke Valley. Two of these significant properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are located in the Greater Deyerle neighborhood: Lone Oaks, which was his home, and the plantation home Belle Aire.
Lone Oaks (also known as Winsmere), is a Greek Revival mansion listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in the Greater Deyerle neighborhood.
Located at 3402 Grandin Road Extension SW, Lone Oaks was completed in 1850 as the private residence of Benjamin Deyerle overlooking Mudlick Creek. Today the home remains as a private residence. The house is L-shaped with a single pediment Doric entrance portico, which has plain square pillars and fluted columns. It became a Virginia Historic Landmark and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
Belle Aire is a Greek Revival mansion listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register in the Greater Deyerle neighborhood of the independent city of Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.A. Located just south of Brandon Avenue SW (U.S. 11) at 3820 Belle Aire Circle SW, Belle Aire was completed in 1849, as the private residence of Madison and Margeret Pitzer on a knoll overlooking their 1,600 acres (2.500 sq mi; 6.475 km2) of land adjacent to the Roanoke River.
Its most recognizable feature is its 2-story pedimented portico four fluted Doric columns at each level. A kitchen addition replaced the original outbuilding and the side portico has been enclosed. Otherwise, Belle Aire remains much as it was in 1850. Today the home remains as a private residence. It became a Virginia Historic Landmark in 1966 and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
For additional information about the Greater Deyerle Neighborhood, please read the City of Roanoke's 2020 Vision Report