Wilcox, W. G., House
Why it's listed
Built around 1888 by W. G. Wilcox, this two-story multiple dwelling at 45-51 Lorraine Street in Plattsburgh has a rectangular plan, a flat roof and a stone foundation. Its moulded cornice, decorative brackets and frieze, two-over-two windows with moulded lintels topped by a central fleur-de-lis, and original bracketed front porches show elaborate Eastlake styling. Incised and cutwork decoration appears throughout, and the roofline carries four segmental arch pediments. An 1899 city map lists it as the home of Wilcox & Son, operators of a coal dock and wood yard at Miller and Delord Streets nearby. It is described as the most pristine and impressive multiple dwelling in Plattsburgh and the city's best example of Eastlake detailing. The building remains virtually intact, is well cared for, and continues to serve as a multiple residence. It represents late nineteenth-century multiple dwelling architecture in the city.
Significance in brief: The inventory form calls it the most pristine and impressive multiple dwelling in Plattsburgh. It holds the city's best example of Eastlake detailing and is described as a unique example of its type, remaining virtually intact and well cared for.
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 83001667, listed February 24, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 45-51 Lorraine St., Plattsburgh |
|---|---|
| County | Clinton County |
| Listed | February 24, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001667 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Builder: W.G. Wilcox |
| Architectural style | Eastlake (late 19th century multiple dwelling architecture) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, well cared for and virtually intact; still used as a multiple residence, with no known threats. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.70220, -73.44729 (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 83001667.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14707615
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.