IF ONLY THE WALLS of each house in Portsmouth's Olde Towne could talk. They'd tell fantastic stories of long-gone days.
The quaint city, near the Elizabeth River, has survived wars, fires, plagues and occupations by foreign troops, but it remains a charming reminder of our country's roots.
Extending only seven blocks, Olde Towne spans three centuries and dates back to the city's founding by Col. William Crawford in 1752.
The district, organized on in a grid pattern, has squares and streets named for famous Virginians, Englishmen, and places in England and the United States.
Twilight lantern tours, self-guided walking tours, horse and carriage rides, and seasonally themed Halloween and Christmas tours are available to take in the sights and learn about the history.
Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold was held captive in one home, and another house served as a hospital and later an apothecary shop during the Civil War.
The Watts House, at North and Dinwiddie streets, welcomed guests such as President Andrew Jackson, Chief Black Hawk and Henry Clay.
The pedestrian-friendly sidewalks drenched in shade and cobblestone streets are ideal for strolls past restored homes and buildings in myriad architectural styles, including Victorian and Colonial, Federal and Greek Revival, Classical Renaissance, Gothic and Romanesque.
Barbara and TerryMcKown used to walk along Olde Towne's streets during their lunch break from Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
"We always wanted an old house," Terry McKown, 60, said.
They moved from a Chesapeake townhome to the Holladay House, at 327 Dinwiddie St., a decade ago.
"It had class, and the bones were good," said Terry McKown, who said he put blood, sweat and tears into renovating the almost-5,000-square-foot, three-story Gothic Revival-style home that dates back to 1910.
Wife Barbara used her decorating flair, keeping with the Victorian feel.
The couple, now downsizing, are sad to give up the home with 20 imported stained glass windows, original pine floors and a guest house.
But they are even more reluctant to say "goodbye" to the area they've grown to love.
"It's still a great place to live. I wish I could go back in time and see how it was then," Terry McKown said.
Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net
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