Boxwoods, The
Also known as: Rural Retreat
Why it's listed
Overlooking the Dan River valley in Madison, North Carolina, this brick plantation house was built around 1815 by Randall Duke Scales, the founder of the town. The five-bay Federal-style main block has Flemish bond brick on its north and south walls, double gable-end chimneys, and a center-hall plan two rooms deep. A mid-nineteenth century lattice porch fronts the north side, and interior woodwork spans the early nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. Outbuildings include an early double-pen kitchen, a brick smokehouse, horse barns, a well house and small cabins. The name comes from the large collection of boxwoods that John D. Watkins and his wife brought from Virginia in the late 1840s; the property had earlier been called Rural Retreat. Since 1903 the house has belonged to the Penn family, whose members helped build the Gem-Dandy garter company. It is valued for its architecture, its link to Scales, and its place among the area's largest plantations.
Significance in brief: The house is a notable example of Federal-style brick architecture reflecting Virginia influence in the tobacco counties along the state line, with later additions that result from continuous ownership. It is also tied to Randall Duke Scales, founder of Madison, and to the Penn family, who have been active in local business since the early twentieth century.
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 80002898, listed May 28, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Penn Lane, Madison |
|---|---|
| County | Rockingham County |
| Listed | May 28, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002898 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Randall Duke Scales (builder) |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in good use; the owner's widow still lived there at the time of nomination. |
| Acreage | 8.4 |
| Coordinates | 36.38221, -79.96261 (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 80002898.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19868325
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.