Paschal-Womble House
Why it's listed
Built in 1889 on a large lot on Main Street in Goldston, this two-story frame house was constructed for Loton Franklin Paschal, an early town leader and merchant who ran a general merchandise and hardware business. Goldston grew up in the 1880s after a railroad line came through western Chatham County, and it became a trading center for the area. The house follows a common vernacular pattern of the late 19th century: a triple-gable roof, three bays, and a central hall one room deep. Details include a flat-roofed porch with chamfered posts and sawnwork brackets, a double-door entry with a transom, an enclosed string stair, and raised-panel mantels. A rear wing, a smokehouse, a wellhouse and a small garage or carriage house complete the property. The porch is a close replacement of the original. The house has passed through the builder's descendants, which adds to its local importance as a landmark of the town's early development.
Significance in brief: The house is locally significant for its association with Loton Franklin Paschal, an early Goldston leader and merchant who ran one of the town's first general merchandise and hardware businesses. It also reflects Goldston's growth as a trading center after the railroad arrived. It embodies the common late 19th-century vernacular triple-gable, center-hall house type, and it has stayed in the builder's family.
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 84001957, listed April 26, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 421 Main St., Goldston |
|---|---|
| County | Chatham County |
| Listed | April 26, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001957 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1889) |
| Architectural style | Vernacular late 19th-century triple-gable, center-hall plan frame dwelling |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in excellent condition, with some modern alterations; the owners have kept the house and grounds in good repair. |
| Acreage | 3.5 |
| Coordinates | 35.59474, -79.32864 (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 84001957.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18155746
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.