Morrison-Mott House
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built around 1905 on North Center Street just north of Statesville's business district, this two-story frame house is a grand example of Neo-Classical Revival design. A one-story Ionic porch wraps the front and two sides, extending into a porte-cochere, and a two-story central portico with fluted Ionic columns and a plastered pediment rises above it. A slate hip roof with a modillioned cornice crowns the building. Inside, Colonial Revival detailing includes a Georgian-influenced stair that splits as it nears the second floor. Lumber broker and industrialist Eugene Morrison had the house built. Its best-known owner was Dr. John J. Mott, who was a physician, president of the Western North Carolina Railroad, Republican Party state chairman, a partner in the Statesville Milling Company and organizer of the Virginia Power Company. Later owners included real estate dealer Frank Jenkins and industrialist McNeer Dillon. The house is valued as a reflection of local prosperity and as an architectural landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the finest domestic examples of Neo-Classical Revival architecture remaining in Statesville and Iredell County. It reflects the wealth generated by the city's industrial and commercial growth. It is also tied to Dr. John J. Mott, a physician, railroad president, Republican Party state chairman and industrialist.
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 80002876, listed November 24, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 332 N. Center St., Statesville |
|---|---|
| County | Iredell County |
| Listed | November 24, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002876 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Eugene Morrison (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical Revival exterior with Colonial Revival interior detailing |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the house and grounds are described as excellent and well maintained. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.78917, -80.89008 (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 80002876.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20745478
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.