Shear, Israel, House
Also known as: Shear, Electus, House
Why it's listed
Set on the south side of NYS Route 143 in Coeymans Hollow, this one-and-one-half-story timber frame house dates to about 1810 and is thought to have been built by Israel Shear soon after his marriage around 1805. It has a five-bay symmetrical front with a center entrance framed by Corinthian columns, side lights, a pediment and a fanlight, and gable end chimneys on both sides. A one-story wing on the east may be older, perhaps about 1800. Inside, a central hall divides two large rooms, and the woodwork is notably fine: arched architraves, shell-motif and classical mantels, a delicate stair balustrade and raised panel work. Wide plank floors and original hardware survive. The house was listed for its architecture, as a rare and well-preserved example of Federal and Adamesque residential design in the area. Its rural setting beside Hannacroix Creek recalls the post-Revolutionary growth of Coeymans.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare surviving example of Federal era residential architecture in the region. It is notable for its finely crafted Adamesque interior woodwork and its high degree of integrity. It is also an important local landmark that reflects post-Revolutionary development in Coeymans.
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 96001436, listed December 6, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 143, NW of jct. with Gedney Hill Rd., Hamlet of Coymans Hollow, Ravena |
|---|---|
| County | Albany County |
| Listed | December 6, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001436 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1810 |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal (Adamesque) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in use as a single dwelling; described as largely unchanged in exterior appearance and interior layout since construction, with twentieth-century plumbing and central heating added. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.47233, -73.89836 (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 96001436.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706580
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.