Robbins, Simeon B., House
Also known as: The Miner's Cabin
Why it's listed
Despite its nickname, the Miner's Cabin at 9 Pine Street in Franklinville, New York, is a large three-story Queen Anne house completed in 1895. Simeon Robbins, a village native, paid for it with profits from the Bald Eagle Mine near Juneau, Alaska. Architect Alanson Crosby designed it and Thomas Corsett built it. Three towers, a steeply pitched cross-gabled roof, and varied siding of clapboard, board and batten, and shingles give the exterior texture. A porch leads to an exterior stone and brick fireplace whose chimney carries a plaque naming Robbins, Crosby and Corsett. Inside are parquet floors, a library, parlor, dining room, conservatory, and a third-floor ballroom. After Robbins died in 1905, later owners included a physician whose family hosted community dances in the ballroom. The Ischua Valley Historical Society acquired the house in 1971 and runs it as a museum. It was listed for its architectural integrity as a local example of Queen Anne design.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding local example of late nineteenth century Queen Anne domestic architecture and retains a high degree of integrity. It was designed by architect Alanson Crosby and built by Thomas Corsett with Robbins' Alaska gold rush profits. It was also one of the village's largest residences and later a community social center.
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 03000091, listed March 7, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 9 Pine St., Franlinville |
|---|---|
| County | Cattaraugus County |
| Listed | March 7, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000091 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1895 |
| Architect / builder | Alanson Crosby (architect); Thomas Corsett (builder) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by the Ischua Valley Historical Society and used as a museum and meeting space; the society plans to maintain it and eventually restore damaged elements. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 42.33784, -78.45614 (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 03000091.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7517568
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.