Stovall Homeplace
The pin is a point inside the NPS boundary polygon, not a surveyed location.
Why it's listed
Built in 1884 for Thomas A. Stovall, this two and one-half story frame house sits on a hilltop at the edge of Lavonia, Georgia. It has a central hall plan, projecting gables with fishscale shingles, a small Palladian window, a recessed arched entrance, and a wraparound porch. South of the house are barns, a root cellar, and a blacksmith shop, along with pasture, terraced fields, pecan trees, and formal plantings. Stovall farmed about 200 acres with his wife and 14 children, raising row crops, cows, chickens, and pigs at a time when cotton dominated the region. A brick foundry and timber cutting supplied materials for the buildings. The farm stayed in the family for nearly a century, and the nominated area covers 113 acres. The property was recognized as an early, elaborate Victorian-inspired house, as the best-preserved farm complex in the Lavonia area, and for its link to a family active in local churches and schools.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the earliest and most elaborate Victorian-inspired designs in the Lavonia area, with an intact set of outbuildings. It is also significant for its hillside landscape setting and as a diversified farm run by one family for almost a century. It is tied to the prominent Stovall family and to early settlement of Lavonia.
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 83000220, listed September 1, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 114 West Ave., Lavonia |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin County |
| Listed | September 1, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000220 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Victorian-inspired |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant on the form; condition described as fair. Part of the tract was sold off, including the house and about one acre. |
| Acreage | 113 |
| Coordinates | 34.43068, -83.11699 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 83000220.
- 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.