Waverly, The
Also known as: Anderson Boarding House
Why it's listed
Built shortly after 1898 on a narrow lot along North Main Street in Hendersonville, this three-story frame inn began as the Anderson Boarding House, a two-and-a-half story building with a single-tier porch. A fire around 1910 damaged the roof, and the repairs added a full third story and a second-level porch, giving the building its present look. It had taken the Waverly name by 1915. The exterior has a pressed tin roof, weatherboard siding, a stone basement and a two-tiered porch with sawn trim. Inside, a wide center hall leads to an Eastlake style stair with turned spindles and latticework panels, and original door surrounds, wainscoting and fireplaces survive. The property was listed as the oldest surviving inn of its kind in Hendersonville and the only remaining Queen Anne style hotel from the town's tourism boom. It is recognized for its role in the area's hospitality history and for its architectural integrity. It still operates as an inn today.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the oldest surviving hotel, boarding house or inn in Hendersonville and the only surviving Queen Anne style hotel from the town's tourism boom. It qualifies under criterion A for the entertainment/recreation theme and under criterion C for its blend of Queen Anne and Eastlake styles and its high integrity.
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 89000035, listed February 24, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 783 N. Main St., Hendersonville |
|---|---|
| County | Henderson County |
| Listed | February 24, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000035 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1898-1929 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Continues to operate as an inn; the exterior is described as in remarkably pristine condition and the interior as well preserved. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 35.32100, -82.46146 (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 89000035.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21188026
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.