Johnson-Jolls Complex
Also known as: Dr. Willard B. Jolls House
Why it's listed
Located just south of the intersection of U.S. Route 20A and N.Y. Route 240 in Orchard Park's commercial center, this two-story brick house was built in 1869-70 for Ambrose Johnson, owner of the village general store. It is Italianate in style, with a five-bay west facade, a full-width porch, a hipped roof topped by a frame cupola, four corbelled chimneys and a broad bracketed cornice. Inside, a center-hall plan retains its original doors, moldings, shutters, stairs, hardware, plaster cornices and four marbleized slate fireplaces. Johnson wanted a home matching his standing, and brick distinguished it from neighboring frame Greek Revival houses. Dr. Willard B. Jolls bought the property in 1902 and practiced medicine there until his death in 1963, remodeling the rear for his offices while keeping the house well preserved. Three early twentieth-century outbuildings stand behind it. The town of Orchard Park now owns the property, which is listed as vacant.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a fine example of Italianate domestic architecture from the 1845-75 period. It retains a wealth and variety of original exterior and interior detail. It was built for a prosperous local merchant, and a brick Italianate home set him apart from neighbors' simple frame Greek Revival houses.
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 80002611, listed May 6, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | S-4287 S. Buffalo St., Orchard Park |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | May 6, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002611 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1869-70 |
| Architect / builder | Ambrose Johnson (builder/owner) |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unoccupied and vacant; owned by the Town of Orchard Park. Condition appears run-down but retains significant original material; original landscaping is heavily overgrown. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 42.75784, -78.74390 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 80002611.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6268144
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.