Nichols, Edward, House
Also known as: Hillcrest
Why it's listed
Built in 1899 on what was then the western edge of Leesburg, this large beige brick house at 330 West Market Street was designed for lawyer and businessman Edward Nichols by Washington architect Lemuel Norris. Norris joined an irregular Queen Anne plan and roofline with Colonial Revival details, including Tuscan porch columns, a copper hipped roof, and an elliptical fanlight over the entrance. Inside, a central passage, oak wainscot, a double-flight stair and painted plaster ceilings survive. The original drawings and specifications also survive and show how little the house has changed. Behind it stand a carriage house/barn with an unusual water tower, a laundry, a storage shed and a 1920s gazebo. The property was recognized as the finest turn-of-the-century dwelling in Leesburg and a rare, well-preserved urban domestic complex from the town's recovery after the Civil War.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the most architecturally distinguished turn-of-the-century dwelling in Leesburg. Norris combined Queen Anne massing with finely detailed Colonial Revival features. The original drawings and specifications survive, and the house and outbuildings retain a remarkable degree of integrity.
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 87002117, listed December 4, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 330 W. Market St., Leesburg |
|---|---|
| County | Loudoun County |
| Listed | December 4, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87002117 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1899; 1920s |
| Architect / builder | Lemuel Norris, architect; probably built by John Norris and Sons |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival; Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a single dwelling; described as fastidiously maintained and in a nearly perfect state of preservation. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Within district | Leesburg Historic District (Boundary Increase) |
| Coordinates | 39.11823, -77.57305 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 87002117.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14712275
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.