Historical places abound in the state of North Carolina. But there’s one place, in particular, where it’s evident in the ruins of an old plantation house near the Virginia border. The list of plantations in North Carolina is pretty extensive, as there were 328 plantations identified from historical records. Seeing the old house on the Buckland Plantation has the potential to evoke a litany of emotions, especially given the state this abandoned plantation is in today. Take a look:
The old homestead for the once-thriving Buckland Plantation is located on NC-37 at SR 1220. This satellite image shows the grounds are fairly well cared for, and even include an old cemetery. But the house, well that’s a different story, entirely.
Google Maps [satellite view 2018]
The main house at Buckland Plantation was built in 1795. It was a grand house for the day, built in federal style with a central staircase that had rooms to either side.
Library of Congress/HABS NC,37-BUCLA,1-
Here’s how the house appeared in a photo believed to have been taken in 1984. The front facade has a two-story porch, siding has been added and the roof appears to be metal.
Preservation North Carolina Historic Architecture Slide Collection, 1965-2005 (PNC slides), Preservation North Carolina It was around this time that an owner of the property applied to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service to have the property placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was placed on the list in 1986.
In 2014, the following images of Buckland Plantation were captured, showing a sharp decline in the once grand homestead. Immediately noticeable is the missing set of porches, including the entire base of the first-floor porch.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube As you can also see, the windows and doors (at least on the front of the home) have been removed and there are now boards. Some of the siding on the home is also missing, exposing what could be the original siding. The decorative trim under the brim of the roof’s edge remains. Let’s step inside…
The inside is in complete disrepair. Even the fireplace surrounds and mantles appear to be missing.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube It’s unclear whether anyone has lived in the home since approximately 1950. But records do indicate that it was purchased in 1914, and sold for a mere $4,000 along with 122 aces to a former slave of the Bakers who built Buckland.
The application to the National Register of Historic places indicates the new owners fell into hard times around the time of WWI and had to sell off much of the gorgeous interior wood. Perhaps this is when the mantles were removed.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
These images, uploaded to the internet in 2014, invoke a feeling of sadness that this historic home has not been preserved in a manner in which someone could live here once again.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
Although windows on the front of the home are boarded up, on the rear they seem to be wide open allowing the elements to take over and speed up the decay of these historical ruins.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
The floors seem to be in fantastic shape, a testament to building materials in the day. A staircase leads to a second floor where an unusual reminder of the past is found on the walls of one of the upstairs rooms.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
It appears as if signatures and notes have been written here over the years, a sort of guest book that even includes dates.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
But the rooms in this top-floor abode are haunting. In one room, those windows that were removed at some point lay in a pile, possibly removed in an attempt to preserve their frames.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
Another has an original door, already open and laying on the floor welcoming guests into what was likely an upstairs bedroom.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube According to records, the family that purchased the property in the early 1900s had fourteen children. You can almost hear them playing as you stare into this now-empty space.
Buckland Plantation was once a stronghold in Gates County. The original owner was William Baker, both a political figure and a wealthy plantation owner. Now, the property sits empty and decaying but remains in the family that purchased the home along with 122 acres in 1910.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube Have you passed by this old relic and wondered what the inside looked like? See more of it in this video uploaded by youtube user Pharaohstreasure in 2014:
This historical plantation in Gates County is a testament to the past – and the present. It’s commendable that the current owners sought to have this historic home placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Some online commentary indicated there were plans in place to repair, if not restore this home. Of the 328 abandoned plantations in North Carolina, there are not many structures remaining. It would be quite the endeavor to restore this once grand home to its former glory, however, the historical significance is certainly evident.
Google Maps [satellite view 2018]
Library of Congress/HABS NC,37-BUCLA,1-
Preservation North Carolina Historic Architecture Slide Collection, 1965-2005 (PNC slides), Preservation North Carolina
It was around this time that an owner of the property applied to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service to have the property placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was placed on the list in 1986.
Pharaohstreasure/YouTube
As you can also see, the windows and doors (at least on the front of the home) have been removed and there are now boards. Some of the siding on the home is also missing, exposing what could be the original siding. The decorative trim under the brim of the roof’s edge remains. Let’s step inside…
It’s unclear whether anyone has lived in the home since approximately 1950. But records do indicate that it was purchased in 1914, and sold for a mere $4,000 along with 122 aces to a former slave of the Bakers who built Buckland.
According to records, the family that purchased the property in the early 1900s had fourteen children. You can almost hear them playing as you stare into this now-empty space.
Have you passed by this old relic and wondered what the inside looked like? See more of it in this video uploaded by youtube user Pharaohstreasure in 2014:
Do you know of other historic properties now in a state of ruin? We’d love to know in the comments. If you enjoy historical architecture you’ll enjoy reading about this list of historic homes in North Carolina that have stood the test of time.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Gates County, NC, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
List of plantations in North Carolina December 31, 2022 Chris Muras Are there abandoned plantations in North Carolina? Of the 328 plantations identified in North Carolina, there are still remains of a fair number of them. There are also some that have been restored giving us a glimpse of what it might have been like to live in one of these grand historic homes in the 1700s and 1800s. Here is a list of a few abandoned plantations in North Carolina:
- Stagville Plantation
- Robinson Rock Plantation
- Burnside Plantation House
- Orton Plantation
- Perciphul Campbell Plantation
- Oakland Plantation
- Perciphul Campbell Plantation You can view many more abandoned plantation homes and historical buildings in this article about a photographer who made it her mission to capture as many abandoned homes in North Carolina on film. Are there any restored plantation houses in North Carolina? Many of the stately plantation homes have been restored and are available for tours. Others have been turned into charming bed and breakfasts, inns, and restaurants so that we may still experience what life would have been like in centuries past. Here are a few plantation homes that you can still visit:
- Latta Plantation
- Orton Plantation
- Mordecai House
- Cleghorn Plantation House
- Foscue Plantation House
- Brunswick County Governor’s Mansion
- Grimesland Plantation Are there any abandoned plantation homes for sale in North Carolina? From time to time abandoned plantation homes do come up for sale. The upside of purchasing an abandoned home is that you can get a very good price. The downside is that restoration of an old home from the 1700-1800s can be quite difficult and costly. If you love old historic homes there are also many previously restored plantation homes for sale as well.
The OIYS Visitor Center
List of plantations in North Carolina
December 31, 2022
Chris Muras
Are there abandoned plantations in North Carolina? Of the 328 plantations identified in North Carolina, there are still remains of a fair number of them. There are also some that have been restored giving us a glimpse of what it might have been like to live in one of these grand historic homes in the 1700s and 1800s. Here is a list of a few abandoned plantations in North Carolina:
- Stagville Plantation
- Robinson Rock Plantation
- Burnside Plantation House
- Orton Plantation
- Perciphul Campbell Plantation
- Oakland Plantation
- Perciphul Campbell Plantation You can view many more abandoned plantation homes and historical buildings in this article about a photographer who made it her mission to capture as many abandoned homes in North Carolina on film. Are there any restored plantation houses in North Carolina? Many of the stately plantation homes have been restored and are available for tours. Others have been turned into charming bed and breakfasts, inns, and restaurants so that we may still experience what life would have been like in centuries past. Here are a few plantation homes that you can still visit:
- Latta Plantation
- Orton Plantation
- Mordecai House
- Cleghorn Plantation House
- Foscue Plantation House
- Brunswick County Governor’s Mansion
- Grimesland Plantation Are there any abandoned plantation homes for sale in North Carolina? From time to time abandoned plantation homes do come up for sale. The upside of purchasing an abandoned home is that you can get a very good price. The downside is that restoration of an old home from the 1700-1800s can be quite difficult and costly. If you love old historic homes there are also many previously restored plantation homes for sale as well.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Of the 328 plantations identified in North Carolina, there are still remains of a fair number of them. There are also some that have been restored giving us a glimpse of what it might have been like to live in one of these grand historic homes in the 1700s and 1800s. Here is a list of a few abandoned plantations in North Carolina:
- Stagville Plantation
- Robinson Rock Plantation
- Burnside Plantation House
- Orton Plantation
- Perciphul Campbell Plantation
- Oakland Plantation
- Perciphul Campbell Plantation
You can view many more abandoned plantation homes and historical buildings in this article about a photographer who made it her mission to capture as many abandoned homes in North Carolina on film.
Are there any restored plantation houses in North Carolina?
Many of the stately plantation homes have been restored and are available for tours. Others have been turned into charming bed and breakfasts, inns, and restaurants so that we may still experience what life would have been like in centuries past. Here are a few plantation homes that you can still visit:
- Latta Plantation
- Orton Plantation
- Mordecai House
- Cleghorn Plantation House
- Foscue Plantation House
- Brunswick County Governor’s Mansion
- Grimesland Plantation
Are there any abandoned plantation homes for sale in North Carolina?
From time to time abandoned plantation homes do come up for sale. The upside of purchasing an abandoned home is that you can get a very good price. The downside is that restoration of an old home from the 1700-1800s can be quite difficult and costly. If you love old historic homes there are also many previously restored plantation homes for sale as well.
