Eberz House
Why it's listed
Built around 1892 on a narrow lot in Buffalo's Black Rock neighborhood, this two-and-a-half-story wood-frame house at 285 Dearborn Street is a well-preserved example of Queen Anne architecture. Its cross-gable roof, clapboard and shingle surfaces, sunburst motifs and full-width porch with turned spindles, fretwork spandrels and fishscale shingles give it a richly textured appearance. Inside, the original plan, woodwork, pocket doors, stained and art glass, and hardware survive. A survey completed in 2010 found roughly five intact Queen Anne houses left in the neighborhood, and this was the only one with nearly pristine integrity inside and out. The house was built during a period of industrial prosperity that drew workers to Black Rock. The Eberz family, many born in Germany, lived here until the 1960s, and rented rooms to visitors during the 1901 Pan American Exposition. The architect and builder are unknown.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant under Criterion C as an intact example of Queen Anne residential architecture in Black Rock. Of roughly five intact Queen Anne examples remaining there, it is the only one with nearly pristine integrity inside and out. It also illustrates the late-19th-century prosperity of the neighborhood. The Eberz family rented rooms to visitors during the 1901 Pan American Exposition.
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 11000740, listed October 18, 2011. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 285 Dearborn St., Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | October 18, 2011 |
| Reference number | 11000740 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1892 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian / Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in use as a single dwelling; the form describes it as well maintained with a remarkably intact interior. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.93908, -78.90192 (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 11000740.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5331842
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.