Houghtaling, Abraham, House
Why it's listed
Set on a 5.3-acre hilltop at the western edge of Coeymans in Albany County, this two-story timber frame house dates to about 1830 and is believed to have been built by Abraham Conrad Houghtaling. It follows the Greek Revival style, with a rectangular plan, a symmetrical three-bay front, a center entrance with side lights, broad corner pilasters, gable-end chimneys and six-over-six windows. In the mid-nineteenth century the house received Picturesque touches, including a steep-gabled entrance vestibule, flanking porches and widened, braced eaves. Inside, plaster walls, original architraves, arches, mantles, paneling, doors, wide plank floors and period hardware survive. A rear wing may incorporate an earlier dwelling, and a brick smokehouse of about 1830 stands behind the house. The property was listed for its architecture: it is a well-preserved local example of its style, and its prominent site makes it one of the community's notable landmarks.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a highly intact example of Greek Revival residential architecture in the region, with elaborate original interior finishes. Mid-nineteenth century Picturesque additions, including broad eaves and an altered entrance bay, add interest. Its large scale and hilltop siting make it an important local landmark.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 98000134, listed February 20, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 54 Church St., Coeymans |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | February 20, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000134 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1830 |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century / Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current use is single-family dwelling; the form says the house remains largely unchanged and retains integrity. |
| Acreage | 5.3 |
| Within district | Coeymans Landing Historic District |
| Coordinates | 42.47462, -73.79845 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 98000134.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4668911
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.