Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 07/02/1997
NRHP Listing Date 09/05/1997
NRHP Reference Number 97000957
Fancy Hill is one of the seven fine 19th-century houses referred to as the “Seven Hills of Rockbridge County.” Constructed in 1821, Fancy Hill is significant for its architectural form and its historical association to notable Rockbridge County institutions, such as the Rockbridge Agricultural Society, organized at the residence in 1827, and the Fancy Hill Academy of the 1870s. The house and property at Fancy Hill evolved through additions in 1831, the 1840s, and 1936. Consistently high quality craftsmanship is clearly evident, whether it is the Federal-style 19th-century house or the Depression-era farm buildings. Along with Fancy Hill, the Seven Hill houses include Cherry Hill (1790), Fruit Hill (1822), Rose Hill (1824), Hickory Hill (1825), Clover Hill (1834), and Liberty Hill (1836). These architectural icons of Rockbridge were constructed for the Welch, Greenlee, and Grigsby families.
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: May 1, 2023
