Dudley, Gwin, Home Site
Also known as: 033-5172; Gwin Dudley House site; Twin Chimneys
Why it's listed
Twin Chimneys, the remains of Gwin Dudley's home in Wirtz, Franklin County, Virginia, consists of two freestanding stone chimneys in a landscaped cul-de-sac beside Smith Mountain Lake. The house burned in the early 20th century, leaving chimneys about 31 feet apart that mark its original length. The south chimney, built of undressed fieldstone, rises nearly 23 feet and has two sloped shoulders, built-in arches of small flat stones set on end, and a carved stone bearing the initials G W and the date 1795, filled with lime mortar that remains intact. These features appear to be unique in the region. The north chimney is plainer, with a firebox lined in cut soapstone. Dudley received land for supporting the patriot cause during the Revolutionary War and farmed in the area. The site was recognized for the quality of the south chimney's design and masonry, and for its status as a well-known local landmark visible from the lake.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the south chimney is the site's primary resource under Criterion C for architecture, because of its fine fieldstone masonry, built-in decorative and structural arches, and inscribed date stone. These features appear to be unique in the region. The site is also described as the work of a master craftsman and as one of Franklin County's best-known landmarks.
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 07000827, listed January 30, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Twin Chimneys Dr., Wirtz |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin (city and county) |
| Listed | January 30, 2008 |
| Reference number | 07000827 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1795 |
| Architect / builder | Dudley, Gwin |
| Architectural style | Other: house ruin |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The house was lost to fire in the early 20th century; only two stone chimneys remain, listed as a ruin. The south chimney's firebox arch is braced with a piece of wood, and the north chimney leans noticeably. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.04747, -79.68871 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
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 07000827.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712433
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.