{"nrhp_refnum":"83002290","name":"Pettit's Ford","other_names":[],"category":"building","location":{"address":"4400 Colonial Rd.","address_restricted":false,"city":"Dover","county":"York County","state":"PA","lat":39.99754531100007,"lon":-76.93137355642264,"geom_source":"nps_gis"},"listed_date":"1983-05-03","is_nhl":false,"nhl_designated_date":null,"areas_of_significance":["Politics/Government","Architecture","Agriculture"],"significance_levels":["local"],"summary":{"what_it_is":"The Thomas and Ann Pettit House and associated outbuildings at Pettit's Ford, on the Conewago Creek in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania. The two-and-a-half story red sandstone house was built in 1798 by Thomas Pettit.","why_significant":"The nomination argues the house is significant for the quality of its architectural design, craftsmanship and integrity, and for its Georgian style and masonry. It also states that the house is associated with the early agricultural development of York County and Dover Township and with the county leaders and farmers who lived at Pettit's Ford.","narrative":"Built in 1798 by Thomas Pettit on the banks of the Conewago Creek in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania, this two-and-a-half story house is constructed of red sandstone in a rectangular plan measuring 22 by 50 feet. Its five-bay front has sawn-stone lintels in alternating buff and red, and a sunburst marker reads 'Thomas and Ann Pettit 1798.' Heart-pine floors, exposed chestnut beams and seven fireplaces survive inside. Outbuildings include a stable, a bath house and a garage, set among mature trees. The house is regarded as a fine example of Georgian stone architecture, valued for its masonry design, contrasting keystone work and craftsmanship. It also reflects regional agricultural development and the Pettit family's local leadership, linked to a ford crossing on the Shippensburg Road. Later owners included agricultural innovator George William Harlacher, who promoted the wheat strain known as Conewago Red, and Dr. Charles M. Nes, who restored the house in 1923.","period_of_significance":null,"architect_builder":"Thomas Pettit","architectural_style":"Georgian","criteria":[],"status_note":"Described as in excellent condition; the roof was replaced in 1979 and a kitchen extension was added in 1975.","vacant_flag":false,"machine_generated":true,"model":"claude-haiku-5-5","prompt_version":"v1.1-2026-10-29","generated_at":"2026-10-29 17:11:33.861551-05","source_pdf":"https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_PA/83002290.pdf"},"photo":{"url_800":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/83002290/69657235aa-800.webp","url_1600":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/media/83002290/69657235aa-1600.webp","licence":"CC BY-SA 3.0","author":"1798conewago","credit_html":"<a href=\"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pettit%27s_Ford.JPG\" rel=\"noopener\">1798conewago</a>, <a href=\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0\" rel=\"license noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons","source_page":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pettit%27s_Ford.JPG"},"district":null,"sources":{"nps_snapshot_date":"2026-05-22","nara_catalog":"https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71995258","wikipedia":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pettit%27s_Ford","wikidata":"https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7179355"},"indexable":true,"url":"https://nationalhistoricalregister.com/pennsylvania/york-county/pettits-ford-83002290/"}