Stonewall
Also known as: Lewis House; Little Falls Plantation
Why it's listed
Stonewall is a late Federal brick house on the banks of the Tar River near Rocky Mount, built about 1830 by planter Bennett Bunn. It takes its name from the heavy granite wall along the front lawn, and the house sits in an oak grove. The brick is laid in Flemish bond and was painted red with thin white mortar lines. The five-bay north front carries an Ionic portico added about 1915 to replace the original. Inside, twin elliptical stairs rise from the south hall, and the Adam mantels, overdoors and window trim are very finely detailed. Bunn was among the wealthiest planters in Nash County, and the house was the center of a large plantation. After later owners, debts and the end of slavery, most of the land was sold, and Rocky Mount Mills bought the house in 1916 and repaired it. The nomination praises the craftsmanship and the surviving landscape design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the most elegant of the state's great plantation houses, with a rare double-curved stair and fine Adam-style mantels and woodwork that point to a master craftsman. It also notes the surviving granite wall and oak plantings as remains of a sophisticated landscape design. It further represents a typical ante-bellum plantation built by one of Nash County's wealthiest planters.
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 70000463, listed June 2, 1970. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Falls Rd. extension, Rocky Mount |
|---|---|
| County | Nash County |
| Listed | June 2, 1970 |
| Reference number | 70000463 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architect / builder | Bennett Bunn (builder/owner); no architect named |
| Architectural style | Late Federal |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and rented as a private residence; owned by Rocky Mount Mills. Altered, with a c. 1915 portico and a rear wooden addition. |
| Acreage | 6.5 |
| Within district | Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 35.95737, -77.80776 (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 70000463.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21187998
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.