Malone, James, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1861 for prosperous farmer James Malone, this two-story frame house in Leasburg, Caswell County, combines a traditional Greek Revival center-hall form with Italianate details such as bracketed eaves, arched chimney panels and curved door lintels. Its chimney carries the date 1861 in the brickwork. The interior retains original hardwood floors, a scrolling staircase and elaborate mantels and door surrounds attributed to Thomas Day, the free black cabinetmaker well known in North Carolina and Virginia. The nomination argues the house marks the end of the tobacco Boom Era in the county and shows Day's late style, moving away from pattern books toward a personal vision. Unlike other Day-associated houses nearby, it was built in a single stage and finished throughout. Alterations include vinyl siding on most walls, a modest rear sunroom, and four modern outbuildings, but the front and setting remain well preserved. The property was listed for its architecture, with a period of significance of 1861.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house meets Criterion C for its architecture, which exemplifies the tobacco Boom Era in Leasburg. Its interior and exterior woodwork is attributed to free black cabinetmaker Thomas Day. It is described as a well-preserved, fully finished example of Day's late work, with statewide significance.
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 08000367, listed April 30, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7374 US 158, Leasburg |
|---|---|
| County | Caswell County |
| Listed | April 30, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000367 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1861 |
| Architect / builder | Day, Thomas (attributed) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; described as remarkably intact and in excellent condition, with vinyl siding on much of the exterior and a 2002 renovation. |
| Acreage | 1.7 |
| Coordinates | 36.39400, -79.15749 (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 08000367.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18154058
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.