Elk Hill
Also known as: Harrison's Elk Hill
Why it's listed
Elk Hill is a Greek Revival house set on a hill above the James River in rural Goochland County. Randolph Harrison, Jr. built the scored stucco-covered brick dwelling in 1835 as a two-and-one-half-story, central-hall house, and added a two-story rear ell in 1839. A one-story Tuscan portico marks the east front, and a large wooden porch shelters the rear. Inside, the hall is divided into three sections, with a Doric entry screen, an open-well stair and a carved marble mantel in the western parlor. Though built in the countryside, its design follows Richmond townhouse precedent, and the complex hall resembles that of the Governor's Mansion in Richmond. The land was once owned by Thomas Jefferson, who assembled the tract in the 1780s and sold it in 1799. The brick servants' quarters, tack house and springhouse survive. Today the house serves as the administrative headquarters of a boys' reformatory farm, and its original plan has been retained. The nominated area covers 35 acres.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Elk Hill as a distinguished example of Greek Revival architecture in a dramatic riverside setting. Its design draws on Richmond townhouse precedents, including a rear porch and a hall divided into three passages. The interior woodwork, marble mantel and plaster ornament are described as characteristic of the capital's most stylish houses. The land also once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, though a reviewer did not treat that as adding to its significance.
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 79003042, listed February 28, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W of Goochland off VA 6, Goochland |
|---|---|
| County | Goochland County |
| Listed | February 28, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003042 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1839-40 |
| Architect / builder | Randolph Harrison, Jr. (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as administrative headquarters of Elk Hill Farm, a reformatory for boys; the second floor is the director's residence and the school continues to farm the property. Condition listed as good. |
| Acreage | 35 |
| Coordinates | 37.71629, -78.08540 (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 79003042.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712280
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.