Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/20/2008
NRHP Listing Date 05/29/2008
NRHP Reference Number 08000480
Located in the Northampton County town of Nassawadox, the Northampton Lumber Company Historic District has been in operation since its first building was constructed in 1898, likely making it the oldest continuous building supply store on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. The complex consists of a store, sawmill, and various other supply and storage buildings as well as rail lines for transporting supplies to the yard and finished products to buyers. Charter members of the company were John W. Chandler, John C. Walker, and Barton D. Holland, successful businessmen and entrepreneurs. During the 20th century, the company produced lumber and barrels for on-site packing and shipping of produce, particularly potatoes. The company has played a central role in the lives of Nassawadox citizens, as over ten percent of the town has typically been employed at the lumber company. The Eastern Shore’s ideal growing conditions and easy access to shipping points has contributed significantly to the success and longevity of the Northampton Lumber Company, which at the time of its listing in the registers still provided a full line of building materials and hardware.
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: September 15, 2022
