National Register of Historic Places

Federal Hill

Forest, Campbell County, Virginia
Listed
September 8, 1982
Type
Building
Period
Early Republic
Ref No.
82004547

About this property

Federal Hill is a three part, Palladian-type dwelling constructed in 1782 and located in Campbell County, Virginia. The original owner of Federal Hill, James Steptoe, served as the second clerk of Bedford County from 1772 to 1826. In addition to fifty-four years of service as the Clerk of Bedford County, Steptoe also remained a lifelong friend of Thomas Jefferson. Furthermore, Jefferson's unique, Palladian architectural influence can be observed in Steptoe's Federal Hill. Following Steptoe's death in 1826, Federal Hill continued to be occupied by the Steptoe family until 1850 when it was sold to the Carter Family of Fredericksburg. Today, the structure remains in private ownership as an occupied residence.

Location

Forest, Campbell County, Virginia
37.31089, -79.28424

Categories

EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTLAWARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Mead’s Tavern
Early Republic
0.7 mi
Grove, The
Industrial
0.8 mi
New London Academy
Industrial
1.2 mi
Liberty Hall
Industrial
1.6 mi
Poplar Forest
Industrial
2.8 mi

Nearby Battles

Lynchburg – Fort Early Assault
1864Civil War
9.6 mi
Lynchburg — Defense Against Hunter (June 17–18 1864)
1864Civil War
10.4 mi
Lynchburg — Hunter's Failed Assault (June 17-18, 1864)
1864Civil War
10.6 mi
Battle of Lynchburg
1864Civil War
10.6 mi

Questions about this property

When was Federal Hill listed on the National Register?

Federal Hill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 8, 1982.

What type of historic resource is Federal Hill?

Federal Hill is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Federal Hill?

The period of significance for Federal Hill is recorded as the early_republic era.

Can I research the history near Federal Hill?

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