Green Springs National Historic Landmark District facts for kids
|
Green Springs Historic District
|
|
"Bracketts," located in the Green Springs District
|
|
 Location in Virginia
|
|
| Location | Louisa County, Virginia, USA |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Zion Crossroads, Virginia |
| Area | 14,004 acres (5,667 ha) 5,766.04 federal easements 56.67 km² |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Italianate, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73002036 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | March 07, 1973 |
The Green Springs National Historic Landmark District is a special historical area in Louisa County, Virginia. It's famous for its beautiful old country homes and farm buildings. These are set in a large, untouched farming area. This district covers about 14,000 acres (5,666 hectares) of really rich land. This is quite different from the poorer, scrubby land often found nearby.
Contents
Exploring the Green Springs District
This historic district is about 1.5 miles (2 kilometers) north of Interstate 64, near exit 136, called "Zion Crossroads." The area gets its name from a natural spring. Even Thomas Jefferson thought this spring had special healing powers!
The district has a mix of forests and farmlands. What makes its soil special is a heavy clay. This clay holds onto plant food and water, which makes the land great for farming. You can enjoy amazing park-like views, especially if you drive along U.S. Route 15.
Protecting Green Springs History
The Green Springs District was saved from big changes in the past. The state of Virginia once wanted to build a prison there. Also, a company wanted to dig a huge strip mine to get clay for cat litter.
Even though a small strip mine did happen, it wasn't as big as first planned. Thanks to efforts to protect the area, many important houses and lands are still safe. This helps keep the district's historic feel, even as other areas around it are changing.
Famous Historic Homes and Places
Many important places in the Green Springs District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here are some of them:
- Boswell's Tavern: This was an important meeting spot during the American Revolution. It's a great example of an old Colonial-era tavern.
- Grassdale: An Italianate style house built in 1861 by the Morris family. Later, it was home to Rear Admiral David W. Taylor.
- Green Springs: This house was built in the late 1700s by the Morris family. It's close to the springs that gave the district its name.
- Hawkwood: Another Italianate house, designed by a famous architect named Alexander Jackson Davis. It was finished in 1855 but was badly damaged by fire in 1982.
- Ionia: A smaller, 1-1/2 story house from the late 1700s. It was the original home of the Watson family.
- Westend: A large plantation house with a temple-like front. It was also built by the Morris family and still has its original smaller buildings.
Other Important Historic Properties
Many other historic properties are found in the district:
- Barton House: An early 1800s house built by the Barton family.
- Belle Monte: A two-story Federal style house. It was built in the early 1700s and later made bigger. Lafayette even stayed here and used it as a hospital for his soldiers!
- Berea Baptist Church: An 1857 Gothic Revival church. Its congregation started way back in 1795.
- Brackets: A two-story house built around 1800.
- Corduroy: A two-story house from about 1850 with a low, sloped roof and a small front porch.
- Eastern View: A two-story house from 1856 with a sloped roof and unique Moorish-style porches.
- Galway: A two-story house with a sloped roof and a fancy porch with columns.
- Kenmuir: A 2-1/2-story house built around 1855. It shows Gothic Revival style with its pointed windows.
- Oakleigh: A two-story house from the late 1800s with decorative trim and a wide front porch.
- Prospect Hill: An 18th-century house that grew bigger over the years. It has a two-level porch and other old buildings.
- Quaker Hill: A small, one-story house from about 1820.
- St. John's Chapel: A chapel completed in 1888, located at the intersection of Route 640 and Route 617.
- Sylvania: Built in 1746 by the Morris family. This two-story house was badly damaged by a tornado in 2011.
- Westlands: A two-story brick house in the Italianate style, built around 1856.
More Historic Buildings in the Area
Other historic properties in the district include:
- Ashleigh: A two-story house from 1900 with a large front porch.
- Aspen Hill: A two-story house from the late 1800s with a pointed window in the gable.
- Fair Oaks: A two-story house from about 1900 with a Classical Revival style porch.
- Green "K" Acres (Oakleigh): A late 1800s two-story house with a front porch.
- Hard Bargain: A two-story house with an unusual shape and a front porch.
- Hill House: A two-story house built in 1918.
- Midloch: A two-story house from about 1900 with unique chimneys and a large front porch.
- Mill View: A 1-1/2-story house from the late 1700s, with a two-story addition.
- Peers House: An 1857 two-story house. Another Peers House was built later in the 1800s with decorative wood on its porch.
- Sunny Banks: An 1888 two-story Queen Anne Victorian house with bay windows.
- Sunny View: A two-story house built around 1900 with a large front porch.
The district also includes the small village of Poindexter.
How the District is Protected Today
On May 30, 1974, the Green Springs District was named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a place of great national importance.
Later, in 1977, the United States Secretary of the Interior agreed to protect almost half of the district's 14,004 acres. This was done by accepting "preservation easements." These agreements mean the National Park Service (NPS) owns the right to control development on the land. This helps make sure the area stays rural and agricultural.
The district is connected to Shenandoah National Park, but the National Park Service doesn't have any visitor centers or facilities directly in the Green Springs District.
