Brentmoor
Also known as: Spilman-Mosby House
Why it's listed
Brentmoor is a stuccoed brick house on Main Street in Warrenton, Virginia, built between about 1859 and 1861 for Edward M. Spilman. Its L-shaped plan, central cross gable, round-arched entry, bracketed porch and picturesque bay windows show the Italian Villa style, which Andrew Jackson Downing promoted as suited to warm climates. Inside, the main rooms keep marble mantels and plaster ceiling medallions, and the rear ell has an open-string stair and simple Greek Revival mantels. A brick kitchen and quarters building and a smokehouse also survive, forming a small courtyard behind the house. The property is notable for its owners as well as its design. Judge James Keith sold it to Confederate ranger John S. Mosby in 1875. Mosby sold it in 1877 to Eppa Hunton, a Confederate general, congressman and senator, who lived there until 1902. The house remains a private residence on about four acres.
Significance in brief: It is presented as a fine example of the Italian Villa style, popularized by Andrew Jackson Downing, which resembles a design in his 1850 book. It is also tied to prominent northern Virginians, including Colonel John Singleton Mosby, who owned it from 1875 to 1877, and General Eppa Hunton, who lived there from 1877 to 1902.
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 78003016, listed January 20, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 173 Main St., Warrenton |
|---|---|
| County | Fauquier County |
| Listed | January 20, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003016 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Italian Villa |
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied, in excellent condition and unaltered, and used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Within district | Warrenton Historic District (Additional Documentation) |
| Coordinates | 38.71159, -77.79056 (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 78003016.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4961695
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.