Woodlawn
Why it's listed
Woodlawn is a two-story, five-bay brick house on the north side of Route 250 near Oilville, in Goochland County. It was probably built around 1790 by Elisha Leake, a Revolutionary War captain and prominent miller; a mantel carved with three millstones reflects that trade. The house has Flemish bond brickwork, dentilled cornices, stuccoed jack arches over the windows, and two-story pent closets built into the paired end chimneys, an unusual feature. Inside, a central hall is flanked by two rooms on each side, and nearly all the original woodwork survives. After Leake's death the house served as Trevillian's Tavern, shown on an 1820 county map. It later belonged to Colonel Thomas Taylor, noted for raising the American flag at Chapultepec Castle, and remained in the Taylor family until 1937, when it was sold and restored. Its Federalist design, surviving original fabric and prominent roadside position made it a well-known Goochland County landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Woodlawn as an impressive example of rural Federalist architecture, made distinctive by unusual two-story pent closets built into the end chimneys. It also notes the survival of nearly all its original fabric, its ties to prominent local families, and its status as one of Goochland County's most familiar 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 71000978, listed December 16, 1971. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | SE of Oilville at jct. of VA 250 and VA 612, Oilville |
|---|---|
| County | Goochland County |
| Listed | December 16, 1971 |
| Reference number | 71000978 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 18th Century (c. 1790) |
| Architect / builder | Probably Elisha Leake (1739-1806) |
| Architectural style | Federalist |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, expertly restored in 1937, and used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 9.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.68491, -77.73642 (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 71000978.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14713561
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.