Forbus, Wiley and Elizabeth, House
Why it's listed
Set on a large, partly wooded lot beside the Hope Valley Country Club golf course in Durham, this two-story brick house was designed by Raleigh architect G. Murray Nelson for Dr. Wiley D. Forbus and Elizabeth Burger Forbus. First completed in 1931, it burned in 1933 and was rebuilt at once from the original plans. Its form reflects the Norman Provincial style: irregular massing, varied roof forms, staggered chimney stacks topped with terra cotta pots, brick quoins, and a round tower with a conical roof that encloses the circular stair. The house was among the first built in Hope Valley, a suburb laid out in the 1920s around a golf course. Norman Provincial houses were rare in Durham, and the Forbus House is described as the foremost example in the neighborhood. Later changes include replaced windows, a converted garage, and recent additions, but the overall plan and character remain largely intact. The house is significant locally for its architecture.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance under Criterion C in architecture as a well-articulated example of the rare Norman Provincial style in Durham. Its key features are asymmetrical massing, steep and varied rooflines, staggered chimneys, masonry walls and a central round tower with a conical roof. It was one of the first houses in Hope Valley and remains one of the most notable in the neighborhood and the city.
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 05000348, listed April 28, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3307 Devon Rd., Durham |
|---|---|
| County | Durham County |
| Listed | April 28, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000348 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1933 |
| Architect / builder | Nelson, G. Murray, Nelson & Cooper Architects; Kane, George W., builder |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Other: Norman Provincial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in use as a single-family dwelling; renovated with a new garage, patio and interior changes in 2004. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Within district | Hope Valley Historic District |
| Coordinates | 35.96773, -80.06151 (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 05000348.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19461783
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.