Oak Grove
Why it's listed
Oak Grove is a large, two-story frame house near Erwin in Cumberland County, North Carolina. It has beaded siding, a gable roof, a full brick basement, shed additions at the side and rear, and a full-width front porch. Inside, the east room holds a Georgian mantel with wood-graining, and the stair has a Chinese Chippendale balustrade. Alexander Smith, who probably built the house after buying land on the Cape Fear River in 1764, apparently ran a ferry at the site. The property later passed to his son John Smith, a state senator, and then to John C. Smith. In March 1865 the Battle of Averasboro was fought around the house, which sat between the opposing lines. Confederate and Union reports and a family letter mention it, and holes in the attic roof are said to come from cannonballs. The house is now used for farm storage, and its structure remains firm and largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its severe dignity of proportion and well-executed interior details, including a Georgian mantel and overmantel and a Chinese Chippendale balustrade. It also holds historical significance for its central, well-documented role in the Battle of Averasboro in March 1865, when the house stood between the opposing lines.
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 73001329, listed February 6, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Erwin near jct. of NC 82 and SR 1875, Erwin |
|---|---|
| County | Cumberland County |
| Listed | February 6, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001329 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Alexander Smith (probable builder) |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as fair; the house is used for storage of farm equipment and surplus produce. The form describes the structure as firm and essentially intact despite superficial damage from neglect and misuse. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 35.25016, -78.69003 (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 73001329.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18217105
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.