Glencoe
Also known as: Dhr Id# 011-0034
Why it's listed
Glencoe is a large, two-story brick house on a natural terrace above the New River in the West Radford section of Radford, Virginia. Tax records indicate it was built about 1875 for Gabriel Wharton, though family tradition gives an earlier date. It stands on a high English basement under a slate-covered deck-on-hip roof, with small gables, one-story polygonal bays and a front porch with chamfered posts and sawn brackets. The design blends Second Empire and Italianate features with a double-pile, central-passage plan, in which paired rooms share central chimneys. Inside, the first floor has grained woodwork, molded plaster ceilings and decorative mantels, while the basement separates family rooms from service rooms. At the time it was built, no other house in the community matched its scale or expense apart from nearby Arnheim. Its architectural character and well-preserved interior details are the basis for its listing, and its period of significance runs from 1875 to 1949.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C for architecture. It combines Second Empire and Italianate features with a regional double-pile, central-passage plan. The elaborate first-floor graining and molded plaster ceilings, and the basement's division into family and servant spaces, add to its value. It was also the most substantial house in its community.
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). NRHP reference 100006157, listed February 19, 2021. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 1088 Poor Farm Rd., Fincastle |
|---|---|
| County | Botetourt County |
| Listed | February 19, 2021 |
| Reference number | 100006157 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875-1949 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian / Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is single dwelling; the house has been recently restored, including the cornice, with the surrounding landscaping and outbuildings lost. |
| Acreage | 9.01 |
| Coordinates | 37.51484, -79.85240 (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 100006157.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives)
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.