Kingsland
Also known as: Richmond View
Why it's listed
Richmond View, also known as Kingsland, is a small frame house near the meeting of Kingsland Creek and the James River, just south of Richmond. It rises a story and a half, with a one-story ell extending to the rear. Its entry vestibule sits in front of a central brick chimney, with one room on each side, a plan rarely seen in Virginia. Original beaded weatherboards survive beneath later asbestos siding, and early mantels, doors and hardware remain inside. The land began as a 1635 grant to Christopher Branche. Branch Tanner later assembled an estate of nearly 2,000 acres, and by 1805 it was held by Dr. William Tazewell through his wife, Tanner's daughter. The house was probably built early in their ownership and was sold in 1851 to Richard A. Willis. Its significance rests on its rare center-chimney plan, which may reflect an earlier English house type. The form describes the house as vacant and in fair condition.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an extremely rare center-chimney dwelling for Virginia at so late a date. It is a rare example of this plan used for the principal house of a large plantation. The plan may derive from early English prototypes that were common in seventeenth-century Virginia. The property also has ties to the Branche, Tanner and Tazewell families.
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 75002019, listed September 18, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1608 Willis Rd., Chimney Corner |
|---|---|
| County | Chesterfield County |
| Listed | September 18, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002019 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th and 19th centuries |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant, in fair condition and altered, on its original site. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 37.40406, -77.41304 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 75002019.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712672
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.