Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 05/20/1980
NRHP Listing Date 07/30/1980
NRHP Reference Number 80004205
On a steep bank of the South Fork of the Rockfish River in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this brick farmhouse began as a side-passage-plan, one-room house in 1785 for Nathaniel Clarke. It was made into a three-part dwelling by the addition of wings ca. 1810 during the ownership of Thomas Goodwin. One of the wings has a rare diaper-pattern decoration on the chimney. Through its transformation from a small rectangular structure to a stylish, if simplified, Palladian type, River Bluff illustrates how dwellers of Virginia’s remotest regions traded their rustic image for one more socially acceptable. Despite this effort, the asymmetry of the fenestration maintains an engaging provinciality. The house has been carefully restored by its present owner; its scenic setting has changed little since the 19th century.
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: March 12, 2021
