Port Micou
Also known as: DHR File No. 28-274
Why it's listed
Port Micou sits on the south bank of the Rappahannock River in northern Essex County, Virginia. Founded in the early eighteenth century, it served as a trading center for river commerce, and an earthen and rubble jetty still reaches into the river. Two buildings from about 1825-50 survive near the water: a large wood-frame granary with a tall loft and a brick basement, and a small frame dwelling on a high raised brick basement. The granary is built of hand-hewn oak timbers with pegged joints, and its louvered windows and heavy studded doors served ventilation and security for stored grain. The dwelling is believed to have housed an overseer or farm manager. Both were probably built for Robert Payne Waring, one of Virginia's wealthiest planters, or for his son-in-law Richard Baylor. Both men used soil-improving methods and modern equipment. The property was listed for its agricultural history and for the quality and preservation of these two buildings. A mid-twentieth-century ranch house is noncontributing.
Significance in brief: The granary and dwelling are significant for their link to the agricultural history of the region and as unusually well-made, intact examples of their building types. They date from a period of agricultural renewal under Robert Payne Waring and his son-in-law Richard Baylor, who ran progressive, highly capitalized farms. The wharf also reflects the property's long role in river trade.
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 91002041, listed February 6, 1992. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 674, at Rappahannock R., Loretto |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | February 6, 1992 |
| Reference number | 91002041 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1835-1860 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown builder |
| Architectural style | Federal (dwelling); No Style (granary) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function listed as agricultural storage and vacant dwelling; the surrounding land is leased for wheat and corn. |
| Acreage | 102 |
| Coordinates | 38.12286, -77.05948 (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 91002041.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713087
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.