Coordinates 38.18165° N, 77.27626° W

At the heart of Barton Heights in Richmond Virginia State is a historic 1800s mansion that has been deserted for more than two decades now. Minor corner as it is popularly known was built in the late 1800s by a crooked businessman James H. Barton. His dreams of turning the mansion into a world-class palatial home were cut short leaving the building deserted.

What is the story behind this infamous building?

Back in the 18th century, corruption and other illegitimate crimes ran rampant in the USA, this was from government officials to local rich men who rubbed each other’s shoulders for friendly favors. A rich businessman by the name of James Barton was not exceptional in this kind of unscrupulous business and took advantage when he relocated to Richmond at the end of 1889. From his ill-gotten money, Barton started several successful real estate businesses including building the Corner Minor where he planned to reside. He later was forced to move out of town after his ill-gotten wealth came out in the public. The mansion was left inhabited for decades until when a new owner with intentions of renovating it bought it.

Why did the mansion become so prominent though it was never habited?

After the building was left to rot, it served the community in ways that they never thought it would. From being used as a polio vaccination center, sanitarium, home for widows, and a nursing home in the mid of 1900s. It benefited the community that every local came to know of it in a way.

Hazards that kept people away from the disowned mansionBeing an abandoned building, the mansion attracted all sorts of illegal activities such as being a drug trap house for gangs. On top of that, some of the plants that grew in and around the house attracted dangerous animals like snakes, scorpions, and killer spiders. Some also feared it was haunted.

What became of the Mansion?

The mansion is now fully restored by Clark Glave who has a company that deals with the rehabilitation of old buildings. He spent 3.5 million US dollars to fully restore the mansion which is now open for tenants to rent. Clark, who was hesitant at first if he would pull off the project, was surprised how tenants flocked his agency trying to secure an apartment in the now modernized historic building. Restoration of the building is a good example of having hope and trusting in yourself no matter how difficult a situation might look at the beginning. Without hope, Clark could have given up on the building and it would have probably decayed and been abolished at some point.