Cabell, Henry Coalter, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1847 by William O. George at 116 South Third Street in Richmond, this house began as an ell-shaped Greek Revival dwelling and grew over the years into a blend of Greek and later nineteenth century revival styles. Its most striking feature is a two-story portico carried on four columns with Egyptian lotus-flower capitals, a design resembling a plate in Minard Lafever's 1835 pattern book. Henry Coalter Cabell, a Confederate veteran and leading member of the Richmond Bar, rented the house for about three decades in the 1850s and gave it its name. Later owners added bay windows, and in 1947-1948 an insurance company remodelled it, replacing the interior and adding a two-story wing. It is the only survivor of the distinguished houses that once made Gamble's Hill a fashionable neighborhood, and its conversion to office use served as a preservation example. It has housed the Virginia Education Association since 1951.
Significance in brief: The house is notable for its two-story portico with Egyptian lotus-flower capitals, which the nomination calls the only one of its style in Richmond apart from the Egyptian Building of the Medical College of Virginia. It is the sole survivor of several blocks of distinguished houses on Gamble's Hill. Its adaptation to business use also set an important preservation example for the city.
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 72001519, listed December 27, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 116 S. 3rd St., Richmond (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Richmond (city and county) |
| Listed | December 27, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001519 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1847, date of construction) |
| Architect / builder | William O. George (builder) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with later nineteenth century revival additions |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and altered; occupied and used as offices by the Virginia Education Association since 1951. The interior was completely replaced in 1947-1948. |
| Acreage | 9.9 |
| Within district | James River and Kanawha Canal Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.53996, -77.44322 (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 72001519.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16208243
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.