Taylor Farm
Why it's listed
Set among level sandy fields between Jenkins Swamp and Squires Run, this 153-acre farm near Richlands in Onslow County centers on a two-story brick house built in 1931-32 for James and Florence Taylor. Wilmington architect Leslie N. Boney designed it, combining Craftsman and Colonial Revival details such as a slate hipped roof, a wraparound porch and a Palladian dormer window. Behind the house stand a garage, a pump house, a two-story frame barn and the ruined tile silos of a former cow barn. A family cemetery lies to the south. From the late 1930s the Taylors expanded from crops, chickens and livestock into dairy farming, and the growth of Camp Lejeune created strong demand for their milk. Large-scale farms like this were rare in the county before World War II. The farm remains in agricultural use and keeps much of its original layout, house features and historic buildings, which is why it was recognized for its agricultural and architectural importance.
Significance in brief: The farm was one of Onslow County's leading agricultural operations from 1931 to 1948, shifting to dairy production to supply local demand, including Camp Lejeune. It retains a substantial collection of well-preserved 1930s-40s farm buildings and structures. Its 1931-32 farmhouse, designed by Wilmington architect Leslie N. Boney, is a sophisticated blend of Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles.
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 99000063, listed January 27, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 337 Comfort Rd., Richlands |
|---|---|
| County | Onslow County |
| Listed | January 27, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000063 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | ca. 1900-1948 |
| Architect / builder | Boney, Leslie N. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival; Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The farm is still a working agricultural property, with about 125 acres cultivated, and the main house is occupied as a residence. |
| Acreage | 153 |
| Coordinates | 34.91992, -77.52958 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 99000063.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7689957
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.