Vardell Family Cottages Historic District
Also known as: Opicherhoka, Hemlock Cottage, The Shoe
Why it's listed
Four related summer residences and their wooded grounds occupy a knoll southeast of the center of Blowing Rock. The centerpiece, Opicherhoka, was built in 1899-1900 by local carpenters Roe Hartley and Joseph N. White for Charles Graves and Linda Rumple Vardell. It is a two-story weatherboarded Arts and Crafts house with multiple gables, dormers and an L-shaped porch on stone piers. Its name was formed from the first letters of woods used in construction. Inside, chestnut and other wood paneling, beaded ceilings and many original furnishings survive, and the dark green and red paint scheme has been maintained. Hemlock Cottage was built around 1903 for Dr. Jethro Rumple, and The Shoe was added in 1933 as the family grew. A fourth cottage, built in 1987, falls outside the historic period. The grounds include a rhododendron-enclosed lawn, stone retaining walls and footpaths linking the cottages. The estate was divided among the Vardell children in 1951.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents the cottages as an intact family summer estate built for Charles Graves and Linda Rumple Vardell. Opicherhoka is described as one of Blowing Rock's most important early cottages, retaining its original paint scheme, rustic interior woodwork and furnishings. The estate shows several generations of seasonal family use.
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 01000254, listed March 12, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 222 Grandfather Ave, 137, 187, 209 Chestnut Circle, Blowing Rock |
|---|---|
| County | Watauga County |
| Listed | March 12, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000254 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Opicherhoka built by local carpenters Roe Hartley and Joseph N. White for Charles Graves and Linda Rumple Vardell |
| Architectural style | Arts and Crafts / Craftsman |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Privately owned; historic and current functions are single dwelling and summer estate grounds. Opicherhoka has not been winterized for year-round use. |
| Acreage | 3.7 |
| Coordinates | 36.12671, -81.67804 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 01000254.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q24436313
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.