Villa Place Historic District, historic district in North Carolina, United States
Villa Place Historic District is a residential neighborhood in Rocky Mount with more than 300 buildings built mostly between 1900 and 1950. The homes display varied styles including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, Craftsman, and Bungalow, many featuring high hipped roofs and broad front porches.
Villa Place developed starting in 1891 as a planned neighborhood to house railroad and tobacco industry workers driving Rocky Mount's rapid growth. The district gained National Register status in 1999 and expanded its boundaries in 2002 to protect more of the original settlement.
The neighborhood grew around railroad and tobacco workers who built modest homes alongside wealthier professionals with larger residences. Walking through the district today, you can see how different social groups shaped their surroundings through the homes they chose and the streets they shared.
The neighborhood is flat and walkable on foot, with tree-lined streets that provide shade and are pleasant to explore. Visit during fair weather when you can clearly see the architectural details and character of the homes.
Machaven, a large brick mansion from 1908 in Neoclassical style, stands as a landmark that showcases the craftsmanship brought by architects from the region. The building gained separate protection and represents the finest residential architecture created during the neighborhood's peak development period.
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