Wise, Milligan Shuford, and Theron Colbert Dellinger Houses
Why it's listed
Two rustic Craftsman-style houses, finished in 1926 and 1927, face each other across Dellinger Road in the mountain town of Crossnore. The Wise House is a one-and-a-half-story weatherboarded bungalow with a mortared river-rock foundation, dark stained woodwork, an engaged front porch and a sleeping porch. Inside, a stone chimney breast, a chestnut staircase and a built-in dresser and window seat made by owner Milligan Wise show the craftsmanship. Wise served as general contractor, working with Franklin family stonemasons and carpenters. He was named Crossnore's first mayor in 1925, managed the Community Exchange general store for eighteen years, grew ornamental and nursery plants, and later taught returning veterans. The grounds hold stone stairways, walls and shrubbery from the garden he and his wife Mamie developed. A stone garage apartment and a ca. 1941 stone rental cottage were added later. Nearby stands the Dellinger House with a barn and a garage, completing the group.
Significance in brief: The houses are presented as well-preserved examples of mountain Craftsman architecture, built with local stone and bark-sheathed or stained woodwork. They are tied to Milligan Shuford Wise, Crossnore's first mayor, store manager, plant grower and veterans' instructor, and to Theron Colbert Dellinger. The Wise grounds also preserve a stone-detailed ornamental garden.
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 08000811, listed August 27, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 152 and 158 Hemlock Ln., 142 Dellinger Rd., 110 Pine St., Crossnore |
|---|---|
| County | Avery County |
| Listed | August 27, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000811 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Milligan Shuford Wise served as general contractor for the Wise House, with family stonemasons and Preston Franklin as framer; Wise's brothers were stonemasons for the garage apartment and cottage. |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The houses and gardens remain in domestic use; the Wise House interior survives essentially as in 1926, though the pond, dam and iris garden have been lost. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 36.02025, -81.92983 (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 08000811.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18159325
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.