Elk Hill (Goochland, Virginia) facts for kids
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Elk Hill
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 Location in Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | W of Goochland off VA 6, near Goochland, Virginia |
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| Area | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Built | 1835-1839 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003042 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 28, 1979 |
Elk Hill, also known as Harrison's Elk Hill, is a historic house located near Goochland in Goochland County, Virginia. It was built a long time ago, between 1835 and 1839. This large brick house has a special style called Greek Revival, which was popular for grand homes. It has a fancy front porch with tall, strong pillars.
Today, Elk Hill is much more than just an old house. It's part of a special program called Elk Hill Farm. This program helps young men by giving them a safe and stable place to live and learn. The house itself still looks much like it did when it was first built, and the land around it is used for farming by the school.
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What is Elk Hill Like Today?
The Elk Hill property covers about 35 acres (which is about 14 hectares). It's located near the James River and a place called Elk Island. You can find it a little southwest of where State Routes 608 and 6 meet.
Even though it's smaller than the original huge plantation, the property still includes the main hill where the house sits. It has a clear view of the James River, which is a beautiful sight.
A Look Back: Elk Hill's History
Elk Hill was once a large plantation located near Byrd Creek and Elk Island. The land was first claimed in 1714 by John Woodson. Later, in 1746, it was bought by John Wayles. He was the father of Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson, who later married Thomas Jefferson.
Martha and her first husband, Bathurst Skelton, lived at Elk Hill for two years, from 1766 to 1768. After Wayles passed away in 1773, Martha and Thomas Jefferson received 300 acres of Elk Hill as part of her inheritance. Thomas Jefferson also bought more land nearby. In 1799, Jefferson sold Elk Hill, which then included 669 acres, to Thomas Augustus Taylor.
Over the years, Elk Hill was sold a few more times. In 1832, Randolph Harrison bought it for his son, Randolph Harrison, Jr. This Randolph Harrison was a relative of Thomas Jefferson. Randolph Harrison, Jr. made a lot of money from selling tobacco. He spent $15,000 to build the beautiful house that stands there today. This house was built on a hill, looking out over the James River.
Around 1850, another owner, Henningham Carrington Harrison, ran a mill at Elk Hill. This mill was on Byrd Creek and was one of the biggest in Goochland County. It was both a grain mill and a sawmill. Products from the plantation were sent to Richmond by canal boats and later by trains. Elk Hill even became one of the train stops!
In 1943, S. Buford Scott bought Elk Hill. He was a stockbroker from Richmond and used Elk Hill as his country home.
Elk Hill During the Revolutionary War
During the Revolutionary War, something very important happened at Elk Hill. The British general, Lord Cornwallis, and his soldiers stayed at Elk Hill for ten days. While they were there, they caused a lot of damage. They destroyed many of the crops and killed livestock (farm animals) to feed their army.
Thomas Jefferson visited Elk Hill soon after Cornwallis left. He wrote a letter describing what he saw. He mentioned that Cornwallis's headquarters were in his house at Elk Hill. Jefferson had managed to move most of his belongings out of the house before the soldiers arrived. However, they burned his barns and fences, and took all the horses and other animals. They also took about 30 enslaved people. Jefferson later learned that 27 of them died from diseases in Cornwallis's camp.
Elk Hill During the Civil War
Elk Hill also faced hardship during the Civil War. The property was raided, and food and furniture were taken from the house. Some of the furnishings were even destroyed.
Elk Hill Today: A Place for Young Men
After many years, the land around Elk Hill began to change. Some of the farmland was sold for new buildings and homes.
In 1970, the Scott family decided to use the historic Elk Hill property for a new purpose. They wanted to create a stable home for young men who needed support. This was the beginning of the Elk Hill children and family services organization. It was the first of six locations they opened in Virginia. Today, the property is still used for this important residential program, known as Elk Hill Farm, helping young men grow and learn.
