Crossroads Tavern
Also known as: Crossroads Inn
Why it's listed
Crossroads Tavern is a three-story brick building beside VA Route 692 in Crossroads, Albemarle County, about 400 feet west of U.S. Route 29. Built around 1820-1830 by an unknown builder, it has a tin gable roof, a raised wooden veranda along the south and east sides, and a wide central hall. Because of the slope, it is three stories at the front and two at the back. It served travelers and farmers on the Staunton and James River Turnpike, which carried goods toward the canal at Scottsville and on to Richmond. Surviving records from C.G. Sutherland, who kept the tavern by 1852, show that it sold staples such as hay and whiskey, handled mail and was a place to trade goods and news. The building has changed little, with original fireplaces, wide plank floors and no plumbing on the two main floors. A two-story summer kitchen also stands on the 1.75-acre property. Today it operates as an inn and residence.
Significance in brief: The tavern recalls the years 1827-1853 when the Staunton and James River Turnpike was one of Albemarle County's busiest roads, serving farmers and travelers. It is virtually unaltered since construction and shows how early 19th-century Virginia taverns were built and used. It is also valued as a representative tavern type with a long front porch, and as a community hub for trade, news and mail.
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 84003481, listed August 16, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 692, Crossroads |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | August 16, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003481 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Ca. 1820-1830 |
| Architectural style | Federal-style interior and exterior woodwork |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied; used as an antique store, inn (bed and breakfast) and private residence, in good condition and described as unaltered. |
| Acreage | 1.8 |
| Coordinates | 37.95741, -78.66047 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 84003481.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712219
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.