Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 11/21/1972
NRHP Listing Date 04/02/1973
DHR's Virginia Board of Historic Resources easement
NRHP Reference Number 73001996
The fertile soil of Bedford County spawned numerous fine farms in the late 18th century. One of the oldest, Elk Hill, preserves its Federal-style dwelling house built ca. 1797 for Waddy Cobbs, uncle of Nicholas Hamner Cobbs, the first rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Elk Hill’s Flemish-bond brickwork, formally spaced openings, and refined interior woodwork are evidence of the county’s early architectural sophistication. The carved decorations on the mantels are adapted from illustrations in pattern books by the English architect William Pain. The farm was later owned by three generations of the Nelson family and was visited by their relative Thomas Nelson Page, a noted Southern author who did some writing there. The house was restored in 1928 by Lynchburg architect Preston Craighill, who added the Federal-style porches. A small brick office, contemporary with the main house, stands nearby.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: October 25, 2021
