White House
Also known as: H. H. Sofley House
Why it's listed
Set beside the old Shallow Ford crossing of the Yadkin River, this two-story timber-frame house in Huntsville is regarded as one of the finest late Georgian dwellings in the upper Yadkin valley. It has a five-bay facade, a double-tier shed porch, nine-over-nine and nine-over-six windows, and stepped shoulder chimneys laid in Flemish bond with glazed headers. Inside, the first floor follows a three-room Quaker plan with flat-panel wainscot, strap-hinged doors and original mantels. The construction date is uncertain, but evidence suggests it was built between 1795 and 1801 for Henry Young, Huntsville's first postmaster. Later owners included merchant and legislator Peter Eaton and Peter Clingman, uncle of Thomas Lanier Clingman, and by 1835 it was already known as the White House. Twentieth-century owners added a bathroom, kitchen and dining ell, plumbing and electricity while keeping the house well maintained. It was listed for its link to the region's early commercial growth and for its well-preserved architecture.
Significance in brief: It is described as one of the finest late Georgian houses in the upper Yadkin River valley and the most prominent reminder of Huntsville's nineteenth-century role as a trading center by Shallow Ford. It retains its Georgian form, Flemish bond chimneys, molded detail and original interior finish. It is also tied to early Huntsville figures, including Henry Young, Peter Eaton and Peter Clingman.
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 82003534, listed June 1, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Shallowford Rd., Huntsville |
|---|---|
| County | Yadkin County |
| Listed | June 1, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82003534 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Late Georgian, Quaker (three-room) plan |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence in good to excellent condition, the seat of a 49-acre farm with twentieth-century outbuildings. |
| Acreage | 49 |
| Coordinates | 36.08371, -80.52795 (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 82003534.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7994851
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.