Willis-Sale-Stennett House
Also known as: Great Oaks
Why it's listed
Set back from State Road 1445 in Wilkes County, Georgia, this two-story frame house was built in the 1850s in the late Greek Revival style. Family tradition holds that James Henry Willis began construction in 1854 and completed it in 1857, though no documents confirm this. A full-width, two-story portico with five square columns shares a single roof with the house, so the columns act as structural supports. Inside is a central-hall, four-room plan on each floor, with a marbled mantel in the southwest front room and an unfinished attic with an unusual roof framing system. The house was re-sided in the 1950s and its rear porch was enclosed. Its main importance lies in its relationship to three nearby houses, the Chennault, Matthews and Anderson houses. Together they show late Greek Revival giving way to Victorian influence, possibly through the work of one builder, perhaps carpenter John Cunningham.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its architecture and its place in local history just before the Civil War. It is the earliest of four related houses in the area (with the Chennault, Matthews and Anderson houses) that show a stylistic shift from late Greek Revival toward Victorian influence. The form suggests a single master builder, possibly carpenter John Cunningham, influenced the group.
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 76000658, listed October 14, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | N of Danburg off GA 79 on SR 1445, Danburg |
|---|---|
| County | Wilkes County |
| Listed | October 14, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76000658 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1850-1860 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition, privately owned, occupied and used as a private residence and for agriculture; some rear alterations and 1950s re-siding. |
| Acreage | 34 |
| Coordinates | 33.92595, -82.65431 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 76000658.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q17042058
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.