When was Swannanoa built?
Designated VLR. May 16, 1978. Swannanoa is an Italian Renaissance Revival villa built in 1912 by millionaire and philanthropist James H. Dooley (1841–1922) above Rockfish Gap on the border of northern Nelson County and Augusta County, Virginia, in the US. It is partially based on buildings in the Villa Medici, Rome.
Where were the two joint facilities?
They decided that two joint facilities would be set up, one on the East Coast near Washington, D. C., and the other in California. During succeeding weeks various officers visited two imposing estates, "Swannanoa" near Charlottesville, Virginia, and "Marwood" at Potomac, Maryland; however, both ultimately were rejected.
Did Calvin Coolidge visit Swannanoa?
President Calvin Coolidge and his wife visited nearby Swannanoa Country Club on Thanksgiving Day 1928. Whether or not the Coolidges actually visited Swannanoa mansion is unknown. But from another source, the Swannanoa Country Club was this mansion building, and he did visit the building.
Who owned Swannanoa?
In 1992 Bill and Virginia Edwards, neighbors of Swannanoa for several decades, went public with claims that Swannanoa was owned by the Royal Family of England and had served as the secret meeting place for the Group of 30.
Why did James Dooley's sisters sell Swannanoa?
Because the couple never had children, Swannanoa was left to James Dooley’s sisters. They quickly realized they were ill-equipped to maintain such a grand estate and decided to sell it. In July of 1926 the sisters sold the estate to Swannanoa Estates, Inc. The group, led by Oliver J. Sands, turned the property into a country club by adding a golf course, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Swannanoa itself became the clubhouse.
