Gravel Hill
Also known as: DHR No. 19-06
Why it's listed
Gravel Hill is a plantation house near Charlotte Court House, Virginia, whose main block was built in 1847 by the Richmond master builders Dabbs and Thomas for the Hannah family. The two-story frame house has a pedimented, two-level Doric portico, and the windows beside it are joined by panels and framed by full-height louvered shutters, an arrangement the nomination calls unusual and possibly unique. Behind it survives a one-room part of the late-18th-century house built by Captain George Hannah, a rare survivor in the county. Later owners added a sunken living room wing in 1912, a rustic log guest house, a formal Colonial Revival garden and a porte-cochere in the 1950s. A large barn, thought to be the oldest structure on the property, and an unusual smokehouse also remain. The property was listed for its varied and unusual architecture, which it retains with a high degree of integrity.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues for local significance under Criterion C for architecture. The main house shows an unusual Greek Revival design by the Richmond firm Dabbs and Thomas, including a two-level Doric portico and vertically linked windows with full-height shutters. A section of the 18th-century house survives, which is rare in Charlotte County, and the early 20th-century additions and garden are noted as well-designed Colonial Revival work.
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 01000150, listed February 16, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3990 Fearstown Rd., Charlotte Court House |
|---|---|
| County | Charlotte County |
| Listed | February 16, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000150 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1850-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Dabbs & Thomas of Richmond, Virginia |
| Architectural style | Mid-19th Century - Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as retaining a high degree of integrity; the house and outbuildings remain in domestic, storage, stable and garden use. |
| Acreage | 81 |
| Coordinates | 37.03693, -78.74471 (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 01000150.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712383
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.