{"nrhp_refnum":"74001245","name":"LeRay Mansion","other_names":["James LeRay Mansion Complex","Jules Payen Estate","A-045-11-0001"],"category":"building","location":{"address":"NE of Black River on Fort Drum Military Reservation","address_restricted":false,"city":"Black River","county":"Jefferson County","state":"NY","lat":44.049654918000044,"lon":-75.7635006551305,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1974-07-11","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Architecture","Historic - Non-Aboriginal","Exploration/Settlement"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"A neo-classic mansion with two flanking wings, built for James LeRay on a wooded site northeast of Black River within the Camp Drum (Fort Drum) military reservation, Jefferson County, New York. The form gives construction dates of 1806-1808 and 1821-1823, and later material refers to a ca. 1827 house.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the mansion has few equals for architectural or scenic beauty and was the home of James LeRay, called the 'Father of the North Country.' It ties to the LeRay family's role in aiding the American Revolution and to the French-backed land development in northern New York.","narrative":"Set in a secluded, wooded area north of the Camp Drum barracks, this neo-classic mansion was built for James LeRay, a Frenchman who became an American citizen and developed large landholdings in northern New York. The symmetrical two-story main block measures 47 by 54 feet and is flanked by two one-story wings. A portico with four Ionic columns marks the south entrance. Inside are twin octagonal drawing rooms with blue Italian marble fireplaces, a dining room, a library and four second-floor suites. Dates of construction are debated, with 1806-1808 for the main house and 1821-1823 for the wings suggested by the county historian. Alterations include modern utilities and removal of a roof balustrade. LeRay's father aided the American cause and hosted Benjamin Franklin in France, and James came to America to press the family's claims. The property is recognized for its architecture and as the home of the 'Father of the North Country.' Public access is restricted.","period_of_significance":null,"architect_builder":"James LeRay (builder/owner)","architectural_style":"Neo-classic","criteria":[],"status_note":"Condition given as excellent and altered; owned by the U.S. Army, unoccupied, with restricted public access.","vacant_flag":true,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-sonnet-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.0-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 02:50:38.672159-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/74001245.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/74001245/1369c09e32-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/74001245/1369c09e32-1600.webp","licence":"CC BY-SA 4.0","author":"Ahodges7","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LeRay_Mansion,_Ft._Drum,_NY.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\">Ahodges7</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LeRay_Mansion,_Ft._Drum,_NY.jpg"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75318255","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeRay_Mansion","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6506396"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/new-york/jefferson-county/leray-mansion-74001245/"}