Pop Castle
Also known as: DHL File No. 51-75
Why it's listed
Pop Castle is a two-story farmhouse on a level riverside site southwest of White Stone, Lancaster County, Virginia, facing the Rappahannock River. Built in 1855 by James and Ann Gresham, it has a single-pile, central-passage plan with Greek Revival detailing and Italianate touches, and it rests partly on the brick cellar of a dwelling from the 1780s. A two-story ell was added in 1857, followed by further additions in the 1920s and around 1940. The nominated twelve acres also hold an early granary, a smokehouse, and the archaeological remains of a nineteenth-century kitchen. The property is listed for its architecture, as an largely unaltered example of Northern Neck farmhouses of the 1850s, and for its history. The site was an eighteenth-century ferry landing, saw military action in the War of 1812, and was shelled by the U.S.S. Monticello in June 1861; a projectile hole survives in the roof framing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a largely unaltered example of the substantial Greek Revival and Italianate farmhouses built by prosperous farmers on Virginia's Northern Neck in the 1850s. Its additions show flexible circulation patterns and, for a time, two separate households. It is also a historic site on an eighteenth-century ferry landing, and it was shelled by a Union steamer in June 1861.
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 89000505, listed June 16, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | VA 659 on the Rappahannock River, White Stone |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | June 16, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000505 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1785-1865 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is a single-family dwelling. |
| Acreage | 12.1 |
| Coordinates | 37.64131, -76.42527 (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 89000505.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15267460
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.