Northampton Lumber Company Historic District
Also known as: Dhr # 267-5005; Nassawadox Steam Powered Saw Mill; Dhr # 267-5004; Northampton Lumber Company DHR # 267-5001
Why it's listed
Founded around 1898 in Nassawadox, this lumber yard and retail complex has operated continuously for over a century and is the oldest building supply store still in business on Virginia's Eastern Shore. The district includes a two-story retail store, potato shed, barn, lumber sheds, a cast iron water tower, a steam-powered sawmill and two sets of railroad tracks. The company was incorporated in 1903 through the merger of two local lumber firms. Its mill supplied lumber and the wooden barrels used to ship potatoes, the region's dominant crop, and the rail line gave it access to distant markets. At its peak it employed a large share of the town's small population. The sawmill is the only steam-powered sawmill still standing in Northampton County. The complex was listed for its role in local industry, commerce and transportation and for its surviving early buildings.
Significance in brief: The district is the oldest building supply store still operating on Virginia's Eastern Shore and was a major employer in Nassawadox. Its sawmill produced lumber and the barrels used to ship the region's potato crop. Its rail location gave it shipping access, and its buildings represent an early 20th-century lumber operation.
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 08000480, listed May 29, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of VA 912 & US 13, Nassawadox |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | May 29, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000480 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1898-1957 |
| Architectural style | OTHER |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Commerce, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The retail store and lumber yard remain in operation. The sawmill, owned by the Town, was rehabilitated in 1997 with ISTEA funding, and one set of railroad tracks is still in use. |
| Acreage | 7 |
| Coordinates | 37.47298, -75.85857 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 08000480.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14692312
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.