William Burnett House

William Burnett was a prominent Union Township resident in the middle of the 19th century: an 1850 publication recorded him as serving as a constable for the township and as a marshal for the village of Washington Court House. Six years later, he was elected to a five-year term as the county sheriff for Fayette County.[2] In addition to his law enforcement duties, Burnett operated a farm on the Leesburg Road southwest of Washington Courthouse;[3] here he built a new house in 1869.[1]

Burnett's house was built with brick walls and foundation, a metal roof, and elements of wood.[4] Five bays wide, it featured an unusual combination of architectural styles: the basic floor plan was that of an I-house, but unlike most I-houses, it was constructed with high-style features common to the Greek Revival and Italianate styles of architecture.[3] Some of the most prominent components of the house's design were the pairs of brackets placed above the hooded windows to support the large cornice; these Italianate elements were supplemented by Greek pieces such as the glass around the main entrance, which featured a lintel, sidelights, and a transom light. Together, the Greek and Italianate elements served to distinguish Burnett's residence from the typical I-house, which was a thoroughly vernacular structure.[3]

In early 1989, the Burnett House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, qualifying because of its historically significant architecture.[1] Despite this designation, the house was destroyed by 2006,[5] but it remains listed on the Register.[1]