A New Beginning for 229 E. Scott

By: Kim Davis (Old North Knoxville webmaster)
August 2, 2001

The month of July brought some wonderful news to area preservationists concerning the beleaguered house at 229 E. Scott, which was rumored to be merely days away from demolition.  This house has a new owner: Mr. Charles Richmond of Old North Knoxville's Raaeco Architects.  Together with his business associate, Jim Robinson, and his builder, John Wampler, he intends to breathe new life into this once-magnificent home, with its unique architectural style.  

The Dungan family built the house in 1918, which is actually an eclectic mix of several architectural styles.  The house's main feature is its Shingle-style dormer showcasing a Palladian window, but otherwise the house exhibits a Rectilinear severity of line with its distinctive Four Square layout.  The symmetrical formality of the center entryway flanked by Greek Revival columns with their Doric capitals further contrasts with the organic, free-form style of the front dormer. 

Although it has only been a couple of weeks since the property transfer was finalized, a crew has been hard at work securing a new roof into place, one of the highest priority tasks in the overall workplan to take place over the next year.  Reached by phone at his office at 428 E. Scott, Mr. Richmond said that some gray dimensional shingles have already been picked out for the house's new roof.  He also plans to completely strip the exterior and repaint the original wood siding, as well as to address the soffits and other roof trim, which are largely nonexistent.

The interior is a mixed bag.  Since the house has leaked profusely for a number of years, the floors will likely need to be removed down to their joists.  The degraded plaster walls and wooden lathe will also be removed.  However, much of the trim throughout the house, which has never been painted, only stained and shellacked, is salvageable, including the original windows, the staircase and a very nice pocket door.  Pieces that cannot be saved will be reproduced by Nolen Products, custom millwork specialists.  Mr. Richmond also plans to restore and replace the art nouveau ceiling fixtures from the two front rooms and hallway.

Mr. Richmond is especially happy to be the new owner of this house, because he is good friends with Charles Dungan of Maryville, the grandson of the house's original owner.  Mr. Dungan's aunt, Mrs. Hilda Long, who grew up in the house, still lives next door!  The fact that the house remained in the same family for so long helped to preserve many of the house's distinguishing architectural elements, despite the neglect that the house suffered in recent years.  Old North Knoxville is delighted to have someone like Mr. Richmond, who is willing to invest his time and energy into the restoration of this great old home.