The Sam Houston Wayside

Church Hill at Timber Ridge

History, Heritage & the Sam Houston Wayside

Church Hill at Timber Ridge is more than a historic home—it's a place where American history, Virginia heritage, and family legacy come together on a quiet ridge in the Shenandoah Valley. Just moments from downtown Lexington and directly adjacent to the Sam Houston Wayside, the property rests on land that has been part of the Thompson family for nearly 200 years.

A Landmark with a Family Legacy

In 1927, the Thompson family—Horatio Edwin Thompson and Judith E. Thompson—donated a portion of Church Hill’s land to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the creation of a permanent memorial to General Sam Houston, the famed statesman and hero of Texas who was born right here in a cabin at Timber Ridge.

According to the original deed (dated May 23, 1927), the donation was made in partnership with the Kiwanis Clubs of Lexington, Virginia, and Houston, Texas, who sought to honor Sam Houston’s legacy with a bronze and stone monument on the very ground where he spent his earliest childhood years.

This act of stewardship by the Thompson family ensured that generations of visitors, travelers, historians, Texans, and Virginians alike could stand at the birthplace of one of America’s most influential figures.

The Sam Houston Wayside — Visible Right from the Sunroom

One of the unique features of Church Hill today is its direct visual connection to the Sam Houston Wayside.

As guests relax in the sunroom, they enjoy a peaceful view across the property—and can see the Wayside memorial itself from their seat. It’s a rare experience: sipping coffee in a historic Virginia home on the very spot where Sam Houston’s life began.

This subtle but powerful connection creates a sense of timelessness. Guests often describe it as a moment when history suddenly becomes real and close—no longer a story in a book, but a place right outside the window.

A Home Rooted in American Storytelling

Church Hill has welcomed families, travelers, graduates, Texans making a pilgrimage to the Wayside, and generations of guests who find meaning in the deep history woven through the house and surrounding land.

From historic mantles and worn thresholds to the rolling fields that once belonged to the early Houston family, every part of Church Hill represents a chapter in a story nearly two centuries in the making.

Honoring the Past, Welcoming the Present

Our family remains committed to preserving this landmark—not only the home, but also the heritage we were entrusted to protect. Donating the land for the Sam Houston Wayside was an early expression of that stewardship, and today we continue that tradition by opening Church Hill to those who appreciate history, tranquility, and the beauty of Rockbridge County.

Whether you are a history enthusiast, a Texan following Sam Houston’s trail, or a traveler looking for a spacious and welcoming retreat, Church Hill at Timber Ridge offers a meaningful and memorable stay.