Sanders-Hairr House
Why it's listed
Built probably around 1787 by Reubin Sanders, this two-story frame house south of Clayton in Johnston County is regarded as an exceptional late eighteenth-century dwelling. Its exterior features molded weatherboards, a cornice of pierced dentils above modillions, massive brick end chimneys laid in Flemish bond, and a five-bay front with a shed porch that has a concave ceiling and fluted posts on pedestals. Inside, the unusual plan may be a variation of the Quaker plan, and the main parlor has high paneled wainscot and an elaborate mantel with fluted pilasters. Sanders became a major landowner, holding about 6,000 acres by his death in 1830, and also operated grist and saw mills and served as clerk of the superior court and as a state senator. The house stayed in the family until 1885. It was listed for its architecture, as an early example of the shift from Georgian to Federal styles and a key structure for studying North Carolina domestic architecture.
Significance in brief: The house is noted for the sophistication of its design and the excellent execution of its architectural detail, including some of the most interesting woodwork in its area. It represents an early stage in the transition from Georgian to Federal styles. It is possibly the earliest extant frame house away from the coastal areas with sophisticated exterior detail.
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 71000597, listed May 6, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S of Clayton on SR 1525, Clayton |
|---|---|
| County | Johnston County |
| Listed | May 6, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000597 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century |
| Architect / builder | Reubin Sanders (probable builder/owner, about 1787) |
| Architectural style | Transition from Georgian to Federal |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as excellent and unaltered condition, on its original site, in use as a private residence at the time of nomination; the rear has been altered by recent additions. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 35.61293, -78.53445 (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 71000597.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21187839
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.