196x Walker and John Outside Grandfather’s House, Lexington VA,

© 2025 Walker Webb Watson, 1951. All rights reserved.

Walker and his youngest brother John stand outside their grandfather Walker Webb Buchanan’s home at 11 Houston Street in Lexington, Virginia. Buchanan trained cavalry cadets at Virginia Military Institute during World War I and lived here with his wife Anna, a seamstress for cadet uniforms. This photo captures two generations in front of a house steeped in service, tradition, and family memory. Walker Webb Buchanan, was a lifelong Lexington resident who served Virginia Military Institute with distinction—training cavalry cadets for World War I and helping shape the legacy of VMI. Walker Webb Buchanan was born on February 10, 1900 , in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and passed away on October 29, 1972 , at age 72. He’s buried at Rockbridge Memorial Gardens , not far from the home at 11 Houston Street where he and your grandmother Anna lived out their retirement years. 🐎 His Role at VMI Cavalry Instructor : Your grandfather trained cadets to ride horses and prepare for cavalry service during World War I , a role that placed him at the heart of VMI’s military tradition. Legacy of Service : Both Walker and Anna Buchanan worked their entire careers at VMI. Anna was a seamstress , tailoring cadet uniforms with precision and care—a quiet but essential contribution to the institute’s discipline and pride. Community Pillars : After retiring, they remained active in Lexington, living at 11 Houston Street, a home that became a hub for family and memory—as seen in your photo with John. 🏠 Family and Home The house at 11 Houston Street appears repeatedly in your archive: a backdrop for childhood, family gatherings, and outdoor play. It’s more than a location—it’s a living archive of your family’s connection to Lexington and VMI. The image of you and John outside the house adds another layer to this legacy: two generations standing in front of a home built on service, tradition, and care. Format: Black-and-white photograph Language: English Identifier: walker-john-lexington-1951 Collection: Walker Webb Watson Archive Access Rights: Public access with copyright retained Scanner: Digitized by Walker Webb Watson Notes: Part of a series documenting family life and VMI legacy in mid-century Lexington.