Buena Vista
Why it's listed
Buena Vista is a Greek Revival plantation house on a hill below Mill Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia. Built around 1840 for George Plater Tayloe, it has a two-story main block, a three-bay wing to the east, and a massive two-story Doric portico on the facade. Tayloe, son of the Mount Airy Tayloes, came west to manage the family iron furnaces and acquired the 598-acre tract in 1833. The house reflects the style prosperous planters in central and western Virginia favored in the 1830s, with details drawn from architectural handbooks by local builders. Interior changes, including the stairway and elliptical arch, are thought to date from about 1889. Tayloe served in the state legislature and long supported Hollins College as a trustee and chairman. The city of Roanoke bought the house in 1937 and has used it as a park and recreation center. A modern rear addition from 1962 detracts from the original design.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as an imposing ante-bellum plantation house and a notable example of Greek Revival architecture built by local master builders who learned Greek detail from architectural handbooks. It is also tied to George Tayloe, a legislator and longtime supporter of Hollins College. Its park-like hilltop setting contributes to its character.
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 74002244, listed July 30, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Penmar Ave. and 9th St., Roanoke (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Roanoke (city and county) |
| Listed | July 30, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74002244 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition is marked fair and altered; the city has used the property as a city park and recreation center since 1937. A 1962 rear addition is described as disfiguring the rear elevation. |
| Acreage | 20 |
| Coordinates | 37.26416, -79.92418 (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 74002244.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16848684
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.