Magnolia Grove
Why it's listed
Magnolia Grove is a tall brick house near Iron Station in Lincoln County, North Carolina, built about 1824 by David Smith on land he bought in 1818. It rises two and one-half stories above a high basement, with Flemish bond brick walls, three shoulder chimneys and a molded brick corbel cornice. The interior follows a Quaker plan, with Federal mantels and marbleized trim throughout. Local tradition says David and Elizabeth Smith ran the house as an inn for a time. Elizabeth's father, Gottfried Arendt, is believed to have been the first Lutheran preacher ordained in North Carolina. The house later passed to the Smith descendants. It was listed because it is a late but especially monumental example of a house type common in the region during the first half of the nineteenth century. Its scale, setting, windowless sides and narrow, tall form create a strong vertical impression, and it reflects the prosperity that iron manufacturing brought to the county.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as one of the most monumental examples of a Quaker-plan brick house type common in the upper Catawba River basin in the first half of the nineteenth century. It is noted for its brick corbeled cornice, raised basement, and severe vertical proportions. It also reflects second-generation prosperity in Lincoln County tied to iron manufacturing, and the Smith family's Lutheran ties and descent from Gottfried Arendt.
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 72000968, listed March 16, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of SR 1309 and 1313, Iron Station |
|---|---|
| County | Lincoln County |
| Listed | March 16, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000968 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1824) |
| Architect / builder | David Smith (builder) |
| Architectural style | Quaker plan with Federal interior trim; local brick house type of the upper Catawba River basin |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition, occupied as a private residence; the form notes preservation work in progress. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 35.41763, -81.17370 (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 72000968.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19986900
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.