Building at 171-177 Clinton Street
Also known as: Bruun and Co.; Afga Ansco, No.99
Why it's listed
Built in 1920 on Clinton Street in Binghamton's First Ward, this two-story brick commercial block holds four street-level storefronts with offices and apartments above. Its angled east and west walls give it a parallelogram footprint, and dark red brick piers, recessed angled entries, a metal cornice and a raised parapet define its appearance. Black structural glass and glass block on the eastern storefronts reflect Art Deco influence and may date from 1930s remodeling. The building replaced two frame dwellings and was first occupied entirely by Bruun & Co., a hardware and furnace dealer. Later tenants included cigar makers employing perhaps 150 people, a photographic manufacturing business, confectioners, furniture dealers, saloons and a barber, while upstairs residents worked in nearby factories. It was listed for its role in the neighborhood's commercial life and as a typical, well-preserved early twentieth century mixed-use block. Water damage and vacancy now affect much of the interior.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance under Criteria A and C for its link to Binghamton's commercial development and as an intact example of early twentieth century mixed-use commercial design. It housed businesses important to the city's economy, including a hardware and furnace dealer, cigar makers and a photographic manufacturer. Art Deco inspired storefront glass suggests a 1930s remodeling.
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 02001641, listed December 31, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 171-177 Clinton St., Binghamton |
|---|---|
| County | Broome County |
| Listed | December 31, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001641 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1920-1944 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century movements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Industry, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Largely vacant; only unit 171 is occupied, by a furniture stripping business. Roof leaks have caused extensive water damage inside. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.10573, -75.92620 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 02001641.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4986545
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.