Mahone's Tavern
Also known as: Kello's T, Vaughn's Tavern, Howard's Hotel; Vdhr # 201-0001
Why it's listed
Built in 1796 on one of the original lots of Jerusalem, now Courtland, this two-story Federal style building faces the Southampton County courthouse and jail. Thomas Hunt and Henry Adams built it, and it operated as a tavern or hotel under several names until 1901. Its location beside the courthouse square and on the old Plank Road made it a gathering place for court days and local business. During the 1831 Nat Turner Insurrection it served as headquarters for assembled militia and probably sheltered frightened families. Few other buildings tied to those events survive. Two future U.S. Senators lived here as boys: William Mahone, later a Confederate general and railroad builder, and John J. Kindred, later a physician. The frame house sits over a brick raised basement and keeps Federal woodwork, original plaster, pine floors and hand-hewn framing. Aluminum siding from the 1970s covers the original weatherboard. It is now a private home.
Significance in brief: It served as a social, political and commercial hub across from the county courthouse. In August 1831 it was a militia headquarters and likely a refuge for families during the Nat Turner Insurrection. It was also the boyhood home of William Mahone and John J. Kindred, both later U.S. Senators.
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 08000483, listed May 29, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 22341 Main St., Courtland |
|---|---|
| County | Southampton County |
| Listed | May 29, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000483 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1796-1901 |
| Architect / builder | Hunt, Thomas; Adams, Henry |
| Architectural style | Federal I-House |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Black, Commerce |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a single dwelling; the aluminum siding added in the 1970s covers the original weatherboard, which remains beneath. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Courtland Historic District |
| Coordinates | 36.71463, -77.06742 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 08000483.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q15243819
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.