Clifton
Also known as: VDHR File No. 81-288
Why it's listed
Clifton is a two-story red-brick house set on a steep slope above the north bank of the Maury River near Lexington, Virginia. Begun about 1815 in the Valley Federal style, it has a seven-bay front, a gabled standing-seam metal roof, four chimneys and a north wing added around 1840. The sloping site gives it a three-story look from the south. Inside, original woodwork survives, including wainscoting, chair rails and several mantels, though the house was remodeled in 1960 and again in the 1980s. A stone cottage and a double-walled wooden icehouse remain on the property, which now holds about 26 acres of the original 200-acre grant. The house was listed for its architecture as a notable example of Federal-style domestic design in the Valley of Virginia, with a period of significance from about 1815 to 1860. Later residents included educator and author William Preston Johnston, who wrote a biography of his father while living there.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Clifton is an important example of Federal-style domestic architecture in a form popular in the Valley of Virginia. It is listed under Criterion C for architecture, with a period of significance of c. 1815-1860. The house also has associations with notable occupants such as William Preston Johnston.
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 94000778, listed July 22, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | VA 631 N side, 2000 ft. E of jct. with US 11, Lexington |
|---|---|
| County | Rockbridge County |
| Listed | July 22, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000778 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1815-1860 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Early Republic: Federal (Valley Federal) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single-family dwelling with a secondary structure; remodeled in 1960 and the 1980s, with a new portico built in 1983. |
| Acreage | 24.7 |
| Coordinates | 37.79178, -79.41918 (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 94000778.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15210939
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.