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Hampton Inn Col Alto-Lexington, Virginia
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- Hampton Inn Col Alto-Lexington, Virginia
The Hampton Inn Col Alto (or Hampton inn Lexington-Historic District is a Hampton Inn located in Hist This stately mansion was constructed in 1827.
(272)
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401 E Nelson Street
Lexington, VA
24450
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Our Story
In June of 1997 a tradition of Col Alto was reborn as it opened its doors once again to welcome visitors to the City of Lexington. For years it was the stopping place for such notables as Governors of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States Congressmen, academicians, brilliant scholars, revered architects, and great historical figures such as Generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. Today it is our privilege and honor to share with our guests the aristocratic heritage and ambiance of Col Alto.
This stately mansion was constructed in 1827, as a four-over-four classical revival structure for James McDowell, Governor of Virginia from 1843-1846. He bought the 328-acre property from his father, Colonel James McDowell. Governor James McDowell did not live here during his time in office, however, he entertained many guests before, during, and after he served the Commonwealth of Virginia. His daughters often played hostess to Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson in the decade before the Civil War. It was from James McDowell that this property received the name, “Col Alto,” which is Italian for on the high. At the time Col Alto was the only structure on the east side of Lexington and had unobstructed views of the City of Lexington and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
After James McDowell’s death in 1851, his daughter, Sally Preston McDowell Miller, sold her share of the property to her husband, The Reverend John Miller. Another of McDowell’s daughters, Sophonisba Breckinridge McDowell married Colonel James Woods Massie who bought the house and some surrounding land from the Millers in 1864. Colonel Massie became a professor at Virginia Military Institute where he also participated in the rebuilding of the Institute after Hunter’s Raid. During his ownership of Col Alto he contributed significantly to the current structure of the home by starting the construction of the first addition to the home, consisting of two large bedrooms and the elliptical staircase. Upon the death of Colonel Massie, the McDowell family sold Col Alto in 1875 to Judge James N. Lea from New Orleans who finished and refined the additions to the manor house started by Colonel Massie.
R B. and Annie Mooreman purchased Col Alto in 1890 from Judge Lea’s widow, Rebecca Lea. After living in the house for several years Annie sold Col Alto to Henry St. George Tucker, an 1876 Washington and Lee School of Law graduate, Virginia Congressman from 1889 to 1897, Professor of Law at W&L from 1897 to 1899, Dean of the Law School from 1899 to 1902, and acting president of the University for a short time in 1902. Tucker went on to be the Dean of Law, Jurisprudence, Politics, and Diplomacy at what is now George Washington University,
