Swan Ponds
Why it's listed
Swan Ponds is a two-story brick house of 1848 reached by a half-mile road that winds downhill through pasture to the Catawba River valley near Morganton. Built in Flemish and common bond brick with a low hip roof, wide bracketed overhang and a central hall plan two rooms deep, it shows Greek Revival styling in its doorway with diamond-pattern transom and sidelights, tall twelve-over-twelve windows, and simple mantels. The nomination rates it among the best Greek Revival houses of its period in the area. Its larger importance lies with the Avery family. Waightstill Avery, an attorney, legislator and state attorney general, settled here after the Revolution, and his son Isaac Avery later built the present house to meet the demand of hospitality. Isaac's sons included a Supreme Court justice and Confederate officers. The family lost the property at auction in 1893, and it later returned to Avery ownership.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls the house a handsome, well-preserved example of Greek Revival architecture, one of the best of its period in the area. It argues the property matters even more for western North Carolina history, as the long-time home of the Avery family, beginning with Waightstill Avery, who were prominent in the state's political and cultural life. Significance is rated local.
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 73001299, listed April 24, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | About 4 mi. W of Morganton off NC 126, Morganton |
|---|---|
| County | Burke County |
| Listed | April 24, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001299 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1848 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as a private residence in good condition, occupied, altered, and on its original site; a recent screen porch was added to the east facade. |
| Acreage | 8 |
| Coordinates | 35.74360, -81.75628 (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 73001299.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18158597
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.