Cather, Willa, Birthplace
Also known as: Rachel E. Boak House
Why it's listed
Willa Cather Birthplace is a modest two-story log and frame house on U.S. Route 50 northwest of Gore, Virginia. The oldest, log section was probably built around the 1810s, and a frame extension on the west end followed around 1850, giving a five-bay front with an entrance in each outer bay. A later frame ell extends from the rear. Inside, early flooring, batten doors, board partitions and a simple stair survive in the original portion. The house was owned by Jacob Seibert, then passed in 1869 to his daughter Rachel E. Boak, Cather's grandmother. Willa Cather, later celebrated for fiction about the Nebraska prairies and the Southwest, was born here in December 1873. The family moved to Nebraska in 1883. The nomination presents the house as a typical Shenandoah Valley vernacular building and as a home of a locally prominent family, noting that it has received less recognition than Cather's later Red Cloud, Nebraska residence.
Significance in brief: The house is the birthplace of novelist and short-story writer Willa Cather, born there on December 7, 1873. It is also described as a typical example of Shenandoah Valley vernacular architecture. The Cather and Boak families were locally distinguished, with members serving in the Virginia House of Delegates.
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 78003017, listed November 16, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | NW of Gore on U.S. 50, Gore |
|---|---|
| County | Frederick County |
| Listed | November 16, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78003017 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Shenandoah Valley vernacular |
| Areas of significance | Literature, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in fair condition but receiving essential maintenance; the owner uses it during the day as an office and retreat. A two-story kitchen and servants' house in the yard is dilapidated. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Coordinates | 39.26772, -78.32392 (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 78003017.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q8003259
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.