Mount Walla
Also known as: VDHR file no. 298-0009
Why it's listed
Mount Walla is a story-and-a-half frame house on a hill above Scottsville and the James River in Albemarle County, Virginia. Its 42-by-18-foot hall-parlor core most likely dates to about 1820-1840, though the nomination allows for an earlier date. Beaded weatherboards, double-shouldered brick chimneys and classical porches on the north and south fronts mark the exterior. Inside, a three-part Federal mantel with carved sunbursts, molded door and window surrounds and an enclosed winder stair survive. Additions made from the 1950s through the 1990s more than doubled the house, and a guest house was built in 1970. An antebellum smokehouse and a family cemetery with a Victorian iron fence also remain. The property is tied to Peter Field Jefferson, a grandnephew of President Thomas Jefferson, who bought it in 1836. He profited from canal scrip, owned the Scottsville ferry and canal boats, and ran tobacco and milling interests. The house is recognized for its Federal detailing and for that transportation connection.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C for the richness and sophistication of its Federal styling, including a three-part mantel and detailed door and window surrounds. It is also significant under Criterion B in the area of transportation for its link to Peter Field Jefferson, who owned the town ferry and canal boats and profited from the James River and Kanawha Canal. Significance is local.
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 00001442, listed November 22, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 604 Poplar Springs Rd., Scottsville |
|---|---|
| County | Albemarle County |
| Listed | November 22, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001442 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | Ca. 1820-1861 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Federal; Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed current functions are single dwelling, secondary structure and cemetery; the house has been enlarged several times since the 1950s. |
| Acreage | 13.4 |
| Within district | Scottsville Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 37.80026, -78.49196 (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 00001442.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712915
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.