Red Hill
Why it's listed
Red Hill is a frame plantation manor house on a 263-acre farm in rural northern Granville County, close to the Virginia line. It was built in three stages. Jacob Mitchell raised the gambrel-roofed Georgian center block around 1776 as the seat of a plantation of about 1,000 acres. An east wing in a transitional Georgian/Federal style followed about 1807, and a tall two-story west wing with Federal and Greek Revival features was added by 1820, probably by Dr. Thomas Hunt. The three sections sit side by side in a long line, an arrangement described as unique in the region. The gambrel roof is also rare in piedmont North Carolina. Inside, the house keeps much of its original plaster, wainscot, doors, mantels and pine flooring, along with marbelized baseboards and woodgrained doors in the west wing. Archaeological testing near the house has found porch remains, a cellar entrance and a probable outbuilding site, which suggests further buried evidence of the plantation's history.
Significance in brief: The house is notable for its unusual side-by-side arrangement of three distinct sections, which is unique in the region. It also has a gambrel roof, a type rarely found in piedmont North Carolina, and retains much original exterior and interior detail, including decorative painting in the west wing. Archaeological testing around the house also suggests intact deposits that could add to knowledge of 1776 through the 19th century.
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 86001632, listed August 14, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NC 1501, Bullock |
|---|---|
| County | Granville County |
| Listed | August 14, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001632 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1776 - c. 1820 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Georgian center block with transitional Georgian/Federal east wing and transitional Federal/Greek Revival west wing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Exterior restoration was underway, with foundation repair and chimney reconstruction in progress. The house was listed as unoccupied and in fair condition, with a framing described as remarkably sound. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 36.52916, -78.52011 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 86001632.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18711642
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.