Prospect Hill Cemetery Building
Why it's listed
Set into a hillside beside the busy Western Turnpike (U.S. Route 20) in Guilderland, this small cemetery vault was built in 1863 by J. Zeh as part of Prospect Hill Cemetery. Its walls are coursed cobblestone with ashlar quoins, a stone lintel above the door and a quoined door surround. The gable roof is covered in patterned slate and has ornately sawn brackets under the overhang. The architect is unknown. It is one of only several cobblestone buildings in the town. Cobblestone construction was widely used across the northeast before the twentieth century but was uncommon in this area, which makes the vault an unusual local example. The craftsmanship is good, and its modest decoration reflects a straightforward vernacular design. It has remained intact even as modern suburban development has spread around it. It has been used for storage throughout its life, and the interior can be seen by appointment. The nominated area extends fifty feet from the walls on all sides, less than one acre.
Significance in brief: The vault is one of only several cobblestone buildings in Guilderland. Cobblestone construction was common in the northeast before the twentieth century but rare in this vicinity. It is a well-crafted, unusual example of the material with simple vernacular embellishments, and it survives intact amid encroaching suburban development.
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 82001078, listed November 10, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Western Tpk., Guilderland |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | November 10, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001078 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; builder J. Zeh |
| Architectural style | Vernacular cobblestone construction |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used for storage, as it was originally; interior accessible by appointment. Listed as intact, with development named as a threat. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.69941, -73.89893 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
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 82001078.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7250767
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.