Wheatland
Also known as: DHL File No. 28-44
Why it's listed
Wheatland is a plantation of roughly 350 acres on the Rappahannock River in Essex County, Virginia. Its main house, a two-story, five-bay frame building with a raised brick basement and hipped roof, was built between 1849 and 1851 for John Saunders, a merchant and planter. Greek Revival massing and two-story pedimented porches are combined with Italianate details such as jig-sawn balustrades. A kitchen wing, a smokehouse and a kitchen later converted to a garage survive nearby. Close to the river stands a frame wharf, mostly dating from 1916, built on the site of an earlier landing. Steamboats carried passengers and freight between Fredericksburg, Tidewater Virginia and Baltimore from the mid-1800s until 1937, and the Saunders wharf was a regular stop. The wharf's trade helped the property survive the years after the Civil War. The property was listed for its role in river commerce and transportation and as a well-preserved Greek Revival plantation. It appears to be the only plantation on the river that still has its wharf.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues for significance under Criterion A for commerce and transportation, because the Saunders family wharf was a regular steamboat stop for passengers and freight until 1937. Under Criterion C it is a well-preserved Greek Revival plantation house with some Italianate details. It appears to be the only Rappahannock River plantation that still has its wharf.
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 89001918, listed December 19, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 638 between US 17 and the Rappahanock River, Loretto |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | December 19, 1990 |
| Reference number | 89001918 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1849-1989 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown (built for John Saunders) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling with secondary structures; the wharf is described as still functioning and the surroundings as largely unaltered and under cultivation. |
| Acreage | 350 |
| Within district | Occupacia-Rappahannock Rural Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.08574, -77.03843 (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 89001918.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713523
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.