Frank Smathers House

The Frank Smathers House is a frame dwelling with a steeply pitched cross gable roof topped with fish-scale asphalt shingles and brick interior chimneys. The property occupies land with an original barn structure and a stone retaining wall that form part of the residential complex.

Built in 1926, the house served as a summer residence for the Smathers family for many decades, a time when such properties held social importance. It received national recognition through listing in 1998, acknowledging its place in the region's architectural heritage.

The house displays Gothic Revival and Colonial Revival architectural features that remain visible in its exterior details and design choices. Visitors can observe these style elements while walking around the building to understand how such architectural trends were expressed in this mountain region.

The property is easily viewable from the street, allowing visitors to see the architectural details without special access. The grounds are spacious, making it possible to walk around and observe both the main house and the surrounding structures.

The architect Richard DeGarmo designed this dwelling with an H-shaped floor plan featuring exposed rafters and projecting eaves that create an unusual visual rhythm. This specific combination of design choices distinguishes it from typical residential architecture found elsewhere in the area.