Commanding General's Quarters, Quantico Marine Base
Also known as: Building Number 1, Quarters 1
Why it's listed
Built in 1920 at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia, this two-story Dutch Colonial Revival house has served as the residence of the base's commanding general. It has a gambrel-roofed central block, stucco on the first floor, vinyl siding above, and wings added in the 1950s. A hipped-roof garage stands to the west. The interior keeps most of its historic fabric, including a central hall and stair, brick fireplaces and a butler's pantry. The Navy's Bureau of Yards and Docks designed it and the John K. Turton Company of New York built it. It is the largest and best-appointed single-family house on the base. Its importance rests on Major General Smedley D. Butler, a much-decorated Marine who lived here while commanding Quantico in 1920-1924 and 1929-1931. During those years he helped turn a wartime camp into a permanent post, started educational programs that grew into the Marine Corps University, supported early aviation, and ran public outreach for the Corps.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is nationally significant under Criterion B for its association with Major General Smedley D. Butler, who commanded Quantico in 1920-1924 and 1929-1931 and lived here. His work there shaped Marine Corps professional education, early Marine aviation and public relations. The house is described as the best preserved residence he occupied during the most significant part of his career.
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 09000540, listed July 17, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 100 Block of Neville Rd., Quantico Marine Base, Quantico |
|---|---|
| County | Prince William County |
| Listed | July 17, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000540 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920-1931 |
| Architect / builder | Department of Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks (architect); John K. Turton Company of New York City (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Colonial Revival (Dutch Colonial Revival, Flemish farmhouse variant) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Military |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The dwelling and garage are described as well maintained, and the house is still used as a single dwelling, the residence of the base commander. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Quantico Marine Corps Base Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.52863, -77.30001 (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 09000540.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15211368
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.