Platt, Charles C., Homestead
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built around 1802 by Charles C. Platt, this brick house at 96-98 Boynton Avenue in Plattsburgh is a two-storey building on a stone foundation with a one-storey gable-roof wing at the rear and a board-and-batten wing behind. Platt modeled it on a similar house his brother Isaac built on an adjoining farm. He later lost the property at a sheriff's sale, and Samuel Lowell bought it in 1813. In 1814 British Major General Brisbane used it as his headquarters. John Boynton acquired it in 1820, and it became known as the Boynton Farm. Its symmetrical plan, central six-panel door flanked by six-over-six windows, moulded cornices with returns, and a veranda from a mid-19th-century renovation make it an intact rural take on the Federal style. It is also the only remaining residence in Plattsburgh tied to the Platt family, who invested in local land and water rights from 1785. It remains in residential use.
Significance in brief: It is described as an intact, rural interpretation of the Federal style and an early example of Plattsburgh architecture. It is also the only remaining residence in the city associated with the Platt family, who were instrumental in the city's development. British Major General Brisbane used it as headquarters in 1814.
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 82001109, listed November 12, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 96-98 Boynton Ave., Plattsburgh |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | November 12, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001109 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Builder: Charles C. Platt |
| Architectural style | Federal (rural interpretation) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed in good condition and used as a residence/apartments; the original site is retained and no threats are known. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.70851, -73.46076 (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 82001109.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5076014
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.