Wyatt, Leonidas R., House
Why it's listed
Built in 1881-1882 for Raleigh saddle and harness merchant Leonidas R. Wyatt, this two-story frame Italianate house was constructed by master builder Thomas Briggs at a cost of $4,790. Wyatt paid extra for a slate roof and slate mantels. Its plain exterior contrasts with an elaborate interior featuring plaster crown moldings, ceiling medallions and marbleized slate mantels. Described as barely half the size of grander Victorian neighbors, it is considered Raleigh's finest remaining middle-class dwelling of the 1880s and one of few surviving Briggs works. The Wyatt family owned it until 1986. After the state scheduled it for demolition, the City of Raleigh moved it in June 1988 to South Bloodworth Street, a Victorian residential block similar to its original surroundings. Protective covenants were granted to a local preservation group, and the house stands empty, awaiting a buyer who will rehabilitate it.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C as one of the few well-preserved Italianate dwellings left in Raleigh and one of the few surviving works of master builder Thomas Briggs. It is noted for its ornate Victorian interior, including plaster crown moldings and ceiling medallions, and is described as probably Raleigh's finest surviving middle-class house of the 1880s. Criteria Consideration B applies because it was moved to save it from demolition to a similar Victorian setting.
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 90001030, listed July 5, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 107 S Bloodworth St., Raleigh |
|---|---|
| County | Wake County |
| Listed | July 5, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90001030 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1881-1882 |
| Architect / builder | Briggs, Thomas |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Empty but structurally sound and cosmetically deteriorated; secured with plywood, and the City is marketing it for sale and rehabilitation under protective covenants. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Oakwood Historic District (Boundary Increase II) |
| Coordinates | 35.77878, -78.63285 (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.
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 90001030.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q21016366
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.