Dan's Hill
Why it's listed
Dan's Hill is a brick plantation house about four miles west of Danville, set on the north side of the Dan River in Pittsylvania County. Built during the second decade of the 19th century, it is a two-and-one-half story, five-bay Federal-style dwelling with a pedimented Roman Doric portico, Flemish bond brickwork on the front and a Doric cornice. Inside, a reeded arch divides the central hall, and the open-well stair, wainscoting and marble mantels show careful craftsmanship. The estate keeps most of its original outbuildings, including a kitchen, dairy, octagonal gazebo, orangery, smokehouses and spinning house, along with 19th-century gardens and brick walks. It remains a working farm. The house was built for the Wilson family. John Wilson was a large landholder, merchant, sheriff and legislator, and the house resembles work by the builder James Dejarnett. The complex was valued as an example of a plantation estate that reflects its owners' wealth.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a well-preserved example of Southside Virginia Federal architecture, with fine Flemish bond brickwork, detailed interiors and an unusually complete set of outbuildings. It reflects a plantation economy and is tied to John Wilson, a merchant, landowner and politician. The house resembles the work of Pittsylvania County builder James Dejarnett.
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 79003067, listed May 30, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4 mi. (6.4 km) W of Danville, Danville |
|---|---|
| County | Pittsylvania County |
| Listed | May 30, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79003067 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown; stylistically resembles the work of James Dejarnett |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent; occupied and still a working farm, with outbuildings and gardens well maintained. |
| Acreage | 93 |
| Coordinates | 36.58683, -79.48035 (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 79003067.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15212693
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.