Stono
Also known as: Jordan's Point; See Also:Lexington Historic District
Why it's listed
Stono sits on a bluff called Jordan's Point, overlooking the Maury River beside the Virginia Military Institute campus in Lexington. John Jordan, a builder and industrialist who dominated Lexington construction for about fifty years, built it in 1818 as his own home. The brick house has a cruciform plan, with a two-story center block and one-story wings, and a two-story Roman Doric portico with thin, closely spaced columns. Inside, the woodwork is elegant but restrained, with sunburst mantels, a cast iron fireplace surround and a stove made at Jordan's ironworks, and a stair banister ending in a carved dog's head. Jordan had worked at Monticello and the University of Virginia, and the three-part Palladian plan, portico and hilltop siting reflect Jefferson's influence. Around 1870 the house was extended to the rear. A summer kitchen, icehouse and brick office survive on the roughly six-acre property, which remains a private residence.
Significance in brief: The house is one of the most distinctive works of John Jordan, an early Lexington builder and industrialist influenced by Thomas Jefferson's architecture. Its brickwork, three-part Palladian plan, colossal Roman Doric portico, hilltop siting and refined interior woodwork recall Jefferson's work. Together with the VMI buildings, it forms the river aspect of Lexington.
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 75002112, listed April 1, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | At U.S. 11 and U.S. 11A, Lexington (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Lexington |
| Listed | April 1, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75002112 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1818-19 |
| Architect / builder | John Jordan |
| Architectural style | Jeffersonian Classicism |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied and used as a private residence; condition marked fair. Three early outbuildings remain: a summer kitchen, a circular limestone icehouse and a square brick office. |
| Acreage | 6 |
| Within district | Lexington Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.79040, -79.43023 (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 75002112.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16900748
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.