Wide perspective of the Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House (Azalea Manor Bed and Breakfast) Photo Courtesy of Madison Historic District Shops

Located on West Main Street just outside the downtown commercial district, the Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House encapsulates the evolution of Madison’s residential neighborhoods. A Federal style town house before the Civil War, the home changed over time and had its Italianate exterior features added later in the 19th century. The Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House is a fine example of buildings that combine Federal and Italianate characteristics in Madison, where there are a number of illustrations of this type.

While the date of construction of the house is not absolutely certain and at least one local authority claims that none of it was built before 1852, the National Register of Historic Places documentation suggests that Samuel Crawford likely constructed the house in the early 1830s. Crawford acquired the lot on which the house sits for $200 in 1833, and sold the property in 1836 for $3,000, leading to the assumption that he built the original two-story house during the time he owned the property.

The Crawford-Whitehead-Ross Federal townhouse was modified by subsequent owners interested in newer architectural styles fashionable during later periods of Madison’s development. If Crawford constructed the original hall-and-parlor house in the early 1830’s, the modest two-story residence consisted of four rooms, two on each floor, and resembled the house across the street, 509 West Main. Curving the southeast corner of the house, a feature not seen in Madison on any other building of this era, added a bit of unexpected character. The house also had a cantilevered, wrap-around second story balcony. It later became the service wing.

Front Parlor, Crawford--Whitehead--Ross House (Azalea Manor Bed and Breakfast) Photo Courtesy of Madison Historic District Shops

Jesse and Rebecca Whitehead purchased the property in 1852, and an 1854 map of the city shows the larger main portion of the house as complete and fronting Main Street. It emulated the Federal townhouse design of early Madison buildings like the Jeremiah Sullivan House at 304 West Second Street.

The more drastic exterior changes probably occurred after Isom Ross bought the house in 1872, during the period when the Italianate style was at the peak of its popularity. The roofline was raised by 2 ½ feet to accommodate a thick, decorative cornice, and the roof was changed to a steeper, more desirable pitch and covered with a patterned, slate tile. New metal lintels were added above the Main Street windows.

Many of the grand houses within the Madison Historic District have similar stories, with additions and decorative details borrowing from later architectural styles. By adding a cornice or decorative scrollwork and glass-panel doors, homeowners morphed simple Federal designs into ornate Italianate or Victorian styles.

The home contributes to the historic significance of the Madison Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark; it is also individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places.