Jernigan, Roberts H., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1917-1918 at 209 South Catherine Creek Road in Ahoskie, this two-story frame house is a large example of the Colonial Revival style known in North Carolina as "Southern Colonial." A pedimented portico with fluted Ionic columns and terra cotta capitals dominates the front, flanked by one-story porches. Inside, a central hall with a ceremonial staircase and Neo-Classical Revival mantels added around 1934 reflect conservative taste. Contractor W. D. Deanes of Murfreesboro built it for Roberts H. Jernigan, a young farmer, merchant and later postmaster. His father-in-law, builder and merchant Jesse R. Garrett, gave the house as a wedding present. It is regarded as arguably the most impressive residence in a railroad-era town that grew in southern Hertford County. Changes include a sun porch and alcove added about 1928, a 1960s garage wing, and an enclosed rear porch, yet the house keeps much of its original character. It is recognized for its architecture and its place in the town's social history.
Significance in brief: The house is presented as a superlative example of the Southern Colonial style built for prosperous eastern North Carolina businessmen in the 1910s, with a monumental Ionic portico. It is considered arguably the most impressive residence in Ahoskie. It is also tied to local merchant and farmer Roberts H. Jernigan and to builder Jesse R. Garrett, who gave it to the couple as a wedding present.
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 01000123, listed February 16, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 209 S. Catherine Creek Rd., Ahoskie |
|---|---|
| County | Hertford County |
| Listed | February 16, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000123 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1918 to 1942 |
| Architect / builder | DEANES, W. D.; GARRETT, JESSE R. |
| Architectural style | Other/Southern Colonial (Colonial Revival) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function listed as domestic/hotel; retains a high degree of integrity despite changes including a 1960s garage wing and an enclosed rear porch. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 36.28086, -76.97931 (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 01000123.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19462619
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.