Conklin Mountain House
Why it's listed
Built in 1886 on a third-of-an-acre corner lot beside downtown Olean, this three-story wood-frame house on a stone foundation is a high-style Second Empire residence. A mansard roof with gables, a three-story entry tower, two-story bays and a wraparound porch with carved segmental arches define its exterior. Inside, a long free-standing spiral staircase, French doors with beveled glass, three fireplaces and an elaborately carved dining room survive from the period. William C. Conklin and his son Dewitt built it; they co-owned the Conklin Wagon Works, one of Olean's major industries, which made roughly 2,000 wagons a year. The Mountain family bought the house in 1919. Dr. William H. Mountain founded the nearby Mountain Clinic, and nurses from the clinic lived on the third floor. The extensive woodwork reflects the local lumber industry. The property is recognized for its architecture and its remarkable integrity, and a two-story garage on the lot also contributes.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion C as a distinguished, highly intact example of late nineteenth century Second Empire residential architecture, with asymmetrical massing, an entry tower, a mansard roof and Italianate details. It is also tied to the Conklin family, owners of the Conklin Wagon Works, and later to the Mountain family of physicians who ran the Mountain Clinic. The form calls it a rare example of its type and period in Olean.
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 98001386, listed November 19, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 304 E. State St., Olean |
|---|---|
| County | Cattaraugus County |
| Listed | November 19, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001386 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1886 |
| Architect / builder | Builder: William C. & Dewitt Conklin |
| Architectural style | LATE VICTORIAN/Second Empire |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current function is a single dwelling; the form describes it as retaining a high level of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.07747, -78.42551 (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 98001386.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5161219
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.