The Dosh House (1778)
Wooden Log House
152 East Washington Street, Strasburg, VA
The historic Dosh House is one of the oldest buildings remaining in Strasburg. Though known to us by the surname Dosh, it was built soon after 1778 by Philip Huffman, who purchased the property from Peter Stover. Stover had acquired the land that is now Strasburg in 1749 from Jacob Funk and eventually divided it into town lots. It was common at the time of the sale of these lots to include a requirement similar to the one in Philip Huffman's deed, which states that the buyer is to "build or cause to be built on lots in the Town of Strasburg one good Dwelling house with a stone or brick chimney to the same." It is generally assumed that the rear wing was constructed first. There the Huffmans lived while the main residence was built sometime before 1800. This original rear section of the house is a rare example of the early German "flurkuchenhaus" architecture which refers to the parlor on one side of the large, interior chimney and the kitchen on the other side. The building came into the Dosh family in 1846 when it was purchased by John G. and Caroline Funk Dosh. John Dosh operated a tannery on the property for many years. He served in the Confederate Army as a member of Capt. Joshua Stover's "Strasburg Guards", Co. A, 10th VA Volunteer Infantry. He returned home late in 1861 and worked as a contract tanner in Stephen's City. In 1863 he returned to service, joining the 23rd VA Cavalry and serving under the command of Capt. H.H. Riddleberger of Edinburg. After John Dosh's death in 1896 the property was leased to "Theddy" Fleet, a notable local potter. His descendants lived there until the 1930s. In 1940 Dosh heirs sold the house and lot to the town of Strasburg. For some years it was used as a Boy Scout Headquarters. Since 1995 it has been owned by and is under the able stewardship of the Strasburg Guards, Sons of Confederate Veterans.