Wiloma
Also known as: Dhl 11-39
Why it's listed
Wiloma is a brick farmhouse on a knoll above Catawba Creek, about a mile north of Fincastle in Botetourt County. Its front section, completed by 1848, follows the Valley of Virginia "I" house plan: two rooms over two, divided by a central passage, with a two-level south porch. A long two-story wing with galleries was added around 1888. The house was built for Morgan Utz, a Fincastle merchant, church elder and local officeholder. Its chief distinction is the interior woodwork. Mantels in the principal rooms draw on plates 30 and 49 of Asher Benjamin's 1830 handbook, while the east parlor has elaborate carved arches beside the fireplace, locally attributed to an itinerant German craftsman. Much original hardware survives. The original outbuildings are gone, replaced by farm structures northeast of the house. The nominated 40 acres keep the setting overlooking open fields. The property was listed for its architectural interest and well-preserved Greek Revival interior.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Wiloma as an outstanding, well-preserved example of the Valley of Virginia "I" house, the region's most distinctive house form. Built in 1848 for Fincastle merchant Morgan Utz, it combined that form with Greek Revival detailing that was stylish for rural Botetourt County. Its mantels derive from plates 30 and 49 of Asher Benjamin's The Practical House Carpenter and were interpreted by local craftsmen.
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 85002913, listed November 22, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Off US 220, Fincastle |
|---|---|
| County | Botetourt County |
| Listed | November 22, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002913 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Valley of Virginia "I" house |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; the form lists its condition as excellent and altered, and says the owner is attempting to preserve and restore it. |
| Acreage | 40 |
| Coordinates | 37.51544, -79.88857 (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 85002913.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713544
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.