Blackberry Hill
Also known as: Mills House
Why it's listed
Blackberry Hill, also known as the Mills House, is a two-story, five-bay frame house with end chimneys and one-story wings, sited on a prominence with a sweeping mountain view east of Tryon in Polk County, North Carolina. Its center-hall plan, beaded horizontal sheathing, enclosed stair and molded cornices reflect the Federal style. The most striking features are three carved mantels whose bold, eccentric ornament, including reeded lozenges, gouged fans and heavy cable molding, gives them a folk-art quality. The house is said to have been built on land once held by Colonel Ambrose Mills, a Loyalist hanged in 1780, and was probably first owned by a descendant of the same name. The builder is unknown. In 1936 the house was sold separately from the land and later moved to Tryon's Hunting Country section. Despite the move and later alterations, it keeps much of its original fabric and is valued for its mantels and its local historical associations.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is one of a small group of Federal-era dwellings in Polk County and retains most of its original fabric despite being moved. Its three mantels show vigorous, folk-art-like vernacular ornament, among the most interesting versions of the Adamesque style in the state. It also has local historical importance through its link to the Mills family and Colonel Ambrose Mills, who was involved in the founding of Polk County.
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 74001372, listed November 21, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | E of Tryon on SR 1516, Tryon |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County |
| Listed | November 21, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74001372 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal / Adamesque vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is stated as excellent; the house is altered and was moved. It is used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 9 |
| Coordinates | 35.20566, -82.20929 (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 74001372.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19720548
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.