Author Sherwood Anderson (1876-1941) had the rustic but comfortable log and stone dwelling of Ripshin built after visiting Grayson County in 1925, and falling in love with its breathtaking unspoiled landscape. Completed in 1927, Ripshin was designed by Anderson’s architect-friend James Spratling of New Orleans. The property, which includes the house and a writing cabin, was named for a nearby creek. A native of Ohio, Anderson regarded Ripshin as his home and lived here until his death. Anderson’s most memorable writings included Winesburg, Ohio; Poor White; Many Marriages; and Memories. These and other of his books and short stories were part of the American school of realism. While he lived at Ripshin, Anderson served as publisher, editor, and reporter for two Marion, Va., newspapers. The house, inside and out, has changed little since Anderson lived here.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Programs
DHR has secured permanent legal protection for over 700 historic places - including 15,000 acres of battlefield lands
DHR has erected 2,532 highway markers in every county and city across Virginia
DHR has registered more than 3,317 individual resources and 613 historic districts
DHR has engaged over 450 students in 3 highway marker contests
DHR has stimulated more than $4.2 billion dollars in private investments related to historic tax credit incentives, revitalizing communities of all sizes throughout Virginia