Farm, The
Also known as: 157-21
Why it's listed
Set on a small knoll south of downtown Rocky Mount, this four-acre estate centers on a two-story frame house that once served as the ironmaster's residence for the nearby Washington Iron Works. The dwelling probably began in the late 1700s as a one-story, three-room building that was linked to James Callaway, and it served at various times as an ordinary, the first Franklin County courthouse, and a farmhouse. Peter Saunders, Jr., a merchant, ironmaster and county justice, raised it to two stories after 1823. Around 1856 John Ingles Saunders remodeled it in the Greek Revival style, adding a two-story rear ell and a pedimented portico. A rare one-story brick slave quarters and summer kitchen also survives. The property was recognized for its link to Virginia's charcoal iron industry and as a well-preserved Greek Revival house whose changes reflect the shifting tastes of its owners.
Significance in brief: The estate is tied to Virginia's antebellum charcoal iron industry, and the house is a rare surviving ironmaster's residence. It is also a well-preserved example of Greek Revival style as interpreted by local builders. Its plan evolved from a one-and-a-half-story, three-room house to an I-house and then a T-shaped Greek Revival dwelling.
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 89001910, listed November 2, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | US 220, Rocky Mount |
|---|---|
| County | Franklin (city and county) |
| Listed | November 2, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001910 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | late 18th century to 1856 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is single dwelling with a secondary structure; the brick slave quarters/summer kitchen survives, and the house and setting are described as well preserved. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 36.98894, -79.89203 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 89001910.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713298
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.