Leslie-Alford-Mims House
Why it's listed
Begun around 1840 by Scots tailor and storekeeper Archibald Leslie, this three-story house on Avent Ferry Road in Holly Springs grew over some sixty years into one of the largest houses in Wake County. The original Greek Revival block features a two-tier Doric portico, plaster parlors with decorative wood graining, and details drawn from Asher Benjamin pattern books. In 1876 merchant George Benton Alford bought the property and added a ballroom, dining room, office, kitchen and meal-flour room. Around 1900 he built Colonial Revival additions, including a third floor, widow's walk, west wing and porte cochere, intended to host visitors drawn to the natural springs. Leslie and Alford helped build the town's commerce and civic life. The 13-acre property also holds a family cemetery, the five springs that named Holly Springs, a 1923 Confederate monument and possible archeological remains of earlier farm buildings.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its Greek Revival architecture, including a two-story Doric portico and details inspired by Asher Benjamin pattern books, and for later additions. It is associated with Archibald Leslie and George Benton Alford, who contributed to commerce and community development in southern Wake County. The grounds also hold the natural springs that gave the town its name, a 1923 Confederate memorial and possible archeological remains.
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 97000218, listed March 8, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 100 Avent Ferry Rd., Holly Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Wake County |
| Listed | March 8, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000218 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca 1840-1924 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Interior and exterior integrity described as remarkably intact; the barn and wash-smokehouse are noncontributing because of disrepair, and the rear windows are boarded up for security and preservation. |
| Acreage | 13.3 |
| Coordinates | 35.65168, -78.83625 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 97000218.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20065290
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.