VIRGINIA (sloop)
Why it's listed
Launched in May 1913 on City Island, New York, VIRGINIA is a 43-foot-10-inch racing sloop built for Stuart Blackton to a design by William Gardner. She belongs to the Q-Class, a group of modest-sized racing yachts built under the Universal Rule that made the sport more affordable than the giant yachts of earlier decades. Her oak frames, mahogany planking, long overhangs, flush deck and small coach house remain essentially original. The main changes are a 1947 switch from gaff to marconi rig and a modern bow pulpit with lifelines. She won the Chicago to Mackinac race in 1921, 1923 and 1925 on Lake Michigan, and in 1990 she took seven first-place trophies. Of Gardner's six Q-boats she is the only survivor, and she may be the oldest of the class still afloat. Today she is maintained in sailing condition at Dana Point.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues she is an excellent example of Gardner's early 20th century racing sloops and of the Q-Class yachts that changed yacht racing. She is the only surviving Q-boat designed by Gardner and very likely the oldest remaining Q-Class boat. She also has a long racing record, including Chicago to Mackinac race wins in the 1920s and trophies in 1990.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 91000337, listed April 2, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Dana Point Youth & Group Facility, W. basin, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | April 2, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000337 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1913-1925 |
| Architect / builder | Gardner, William; Wood & McClure |
| Architectural style | Architecture/Naval |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Fully functional, professionally maintained, and used for ocean racing and traditional sail training; docked at Dana Point Harbor when not at sea. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.46172, -117.70357 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 91000337.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.