Weil, Solomon and Henry, Houses
Why it's listed
Set in a landscaped park on West Chestnut Street in Goldsboro, two matching frame houses were built in 1875 for brothers Solomon and Henry Weil. Each is two stories with an attic, a center-hall plan, intersecting gables, bracketed eaves, bay windows and verandas trimmed in sawn and turned woodwork. Inside, the parlors, parquet floors, mantels and early bathrooms survive largely intact, and the houses had running water and gas lighting when few in town did. The Weils came from Germany by way of Baltimore, began as peddlers and built a successful general store near the railroad tracks. They also invested in real estate and brick-making. Their family contributed to the town's cultural and educational life, and Gertrude Weil, Henry's daughter, worked for women's suffrage and other progressive causes. The architect is undocumented, though G. S. Appleget is suggested as a possibility. In 1929 the Solomon Weil House became a public library.
Significance in brief: The houses are well-preserved examples of Victorian architecture with eclectic sawn and turned woodwork. They are also tied to the Weil family, Jewish merchants who rose from peddlers to prominent businessmen and civic contributors in Goldsboro. Henry's daughter Gertrude Weil was active in the women's suffrage movement and progressive causes.
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 76001350, listed December 22, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 204 and 200 W. Chestnut St., Goldsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Wayne County |
| Listed | December 22, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001350 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1874-1875 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as good. The Solomon Weil House was given to Wayne County in 1929 for use as a public library. A data sheet lists the present function as residential (vacant) and government (library). The cover letter says the property was in danger of being destroyed. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 35.38182, -78.99920 (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 76001350.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q24436315
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.