Apr 13, 1977
National Register of Historic Places - Leonidas L. Polk House
Statement of Significance: The relocated Polk House will retain its significance as the primary surviving building associated with the productive life of Leonidas L. Polk. The house was constructed by Polk and his wife Sarah as their home in late 1890 or in 1891. Polk was North Carolina's first Commissioner of Agriculture. He was instrumental in the founding of the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now North Carolina State University) and the Baptist Female University (now Meredith College). He was also a nationally-prominent leader in agricultural politics, publishing the Progressive Farmer weekly, serving as President of the National Farmer's Alliance and acting as a leader in the People's Party (Powell, Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol. 5, pp. 110-111). Since the house has already been moved once, prior to its having been listed on the National Register in 1977, an additional move to a nearby site will not result in any change in significance. Indeed, the 1970s nomination noted that the Polk House remained in the path of commercial development and predicted that it might have to be moved again.
National Register of Historic Places - Leonidas L. Polk House
Statement of Significance: The relocated Polk House will retain its significance as the primary surviving building associated with the productive life of Leonidas L. Polk. The house was constructed by Polk and his wife Sarah as their home in late 1890 or in 1891. Polk was North Carolina's first Commissioner of Agriculture. He was instrumental in the founding of the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now North Carolina State University) and the Baptist Female University (now Meredith College). He was also a nationally-prominent leader in agricultural politics, publishing the Progressive Farmer weekly, serving as President of the National Farmer's Alliance and acting as a leader in the People's Party (Powell, Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol. 5, pp. 110-111). Since the house has already been moved once, prior to its having been listed on the National Register in 1977, an additional move to a nearby site will not result in any change in significance. Indeed, the 1970s nomination noted that the Polk House remained in the path of commercial development and predicted that it might have to be moved again.
Apr 13, 1977
Posted Date
Sep 04, 2023
Historical Record Date
Apr 13, 1977
Source Name
National Register of Historic Places
