Chewning House
Also known as: McCurry Hotel; Charleston Boarding House
Why it's listed
Chewning House is a large frame boarding house at 755 N. Main Street in Hendersonville, North Carolina, two blocks north of the central business district. It began before 1906 as a two-story late Victorian house with weatherboard walls and a brick foundation. Between 1912 and 1922 it was raised to three stories and given a dining room wing, a wraparound porch and twenty guest rooms. Deed records show it passed through several owners, was known as the Smith-Green House and the Charleston Boarding House, and took its present name from L. R. and Mattie Chewning, who bought it in 1916. It is listed for its architecture and its place in the town's tourism history. Along with the neighboring Waverly, it is one of the few large boarding houses downtown still used as lodging. Its simpler 1920s detailing contrasts with the Victorian character of its neighbor, and it still operates as an inn.
Significance in brief: It is one of the few large boarding houses in downtown Hendersonville still serving its original purpose. It reflects the tourism boom that began in the late 19th century and continued through the 1920s. Its architecture shows the simpler domestic styles of the 1920s, with simpler interior detailing and classic proportions.
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 89000034, listed February 24, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 755 N. Main St., Hendersonville |
|---|---|
| County | Henderson County |
| Listed | February 24, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000034 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1906-1929 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as an inn, now called the Claddagh Inn. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 35.32064, -82.46123 (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 89000034.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19460963
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.