Edenwood
Also known as: Smith-Williams House
Why it's listed
Edenwood is a frame plantation house on Old Stage Road in Garner, Wake County, North Carolina, set on about ten acres that remain of a plantation once measuring several hundred acres. Its core is an early nineteenth-century dwelling associated with Sihon Smith, a Methodist preacher who bought the land in 1818. In the mid-nineteenth century, his daughter Sarah Jane and her husband Simeon Williams added a two-story Greek Revival I-house at the front. Around 1935 the older wing was overbuilt, a north wing and rear gallery were added, and a Colonial Revival porch with a pedimented center bay was built. The house is considered architecturally significant as one of few surviving antebellum houses of its kind in rural Wake County. Family tradition says it served as a stage stop on the old road between Charleston and Petersburg. A late nineteenth-century outbuilding, probably a smokehouse, and the surrounding grounds also contribute to the property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that this well-finished Greek Revival I-house is one of a small number of similar antebellum houses surviving in rural Wake County, and qualifies under Criterion C for architecture. The mid-1930s Colonial Revival porch and the enlargement of the house add to its architectural significance. The property is also tied to Sihon Smith, a Methodist circuit rider, and the Williams family.
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 93000544, listed July 2, 1993. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7620 Old Stage Rd., Garner |
|---|---|
| County | Wake County |
| Listed | July 2, 1993 |
| Reference number | 93000544 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | mid-nineteenth century, ca. 1935 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is listed as vacant/not in use; the pastures are unused but kept mowed. |
| Acreage | 10 |
| Coordinates | 35.67412, -78.66033 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 93000544.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20065294
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.