Maple Roads
Also known as: 019-005711
Why it's listed
Maple Roads is a two-story brick farmhouse near Keysville in Charlotte County, Virginia, built between 1813 and 1821 for Capt. John Davis Richardson. Richardson, a large landowner, miller, soldier and longtime state legislator, used local labor and bricks made on site. The house is a single-pile "I" house with a rear wing, a Flemish bond front and a molded brick cornice that is more typical of the Shenandoah Valley than of southern Virginia. Inside, an open-well stair, Federal mantels with Adamesque details, and pine woodwork painted to imitate marble and fine woods survive. The craftsmanship reflects a local builder with high aspirations but limited academic training. Richardson commanded a company at the 1813 battle of Craney Island and later served as sheriff. The property also includes a 19th-century office, an early 20th-century barn and a family cemetery with an 1843 iron fence. It remains a largely unaltered rural residence and a record of the people who shaped the land.
Significance in brief: The house is significant for its Federal architecture, which combines the then-new "I" house plan with highly stylized, provincially interpreted detailing, including a molded brick cornice more typical of the Shenandoah Valley. Its interior retains original graining, marbleizing and Federal mantels. It is also tied to Richardson, a landowner, miller, soldier and legislator known as the "Hero of Craney Island."
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 02000999, listed September 14, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1325 Richardson Rd., Keysville |
|---|---|
| County | Charlotte County |
| Listed | September 14, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02000999 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1813 - 1952 |
| Architect / builder | John Davis Richardson (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal House |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as a substantially intact and unaltered rural residence; it remains in residential and agricultural use, with the cemetery still present. |
| Acreage | 26 |
| Coordinates | 37.06412, -78.52162 (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 02000999.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712781
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.