Flat Rock Camp
Why it's listed
Flat Rock Camp is a lakeside Adirondack Great Camp on Jones Point in Willsboro, on Lake Champlain. It occupies about 31 acres and takes its name from a broad outcrop of Potsdam sandstone, exposed over roughly 10 acres, on which much of the camp sits. Begun about 1890 and completed in stages over some 20 years, it was designed by its owner, Augustus G. Paine, and largely built by neighbor Lyman Smith, with chimneys by stonemason Peter Lacey of Keeseville. The U-shaped Main Lodge, about 175 by 130 by 65 feet, holds a Great Room, dining room and ten bedrooms. It has shingled walls, stone fireplaces and a complex roofline, and it sits low on the rock. Stone walls, benches and a fountain shape a courtyard. Four original buildings have been lost, but the camp appears much as it did around 1910. It was listed for its rustic architecture and its response to the natural surroundings. The camp belongs to the Great Camps of the Adirondacks thematic group and remains in use as a family camp.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the camp is significant under Criterion C as an example of the rustic architecture the Adirondack region is known for. Its design and construction show sensitivity to the natural setting, notably the exposed Potsdam sandstone outcrop it sits on. It retains a high degree of its early 20th century integrity.
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 06000642, listed July 26, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7 Willsboro Point Rd., Willsboro |
|---|---|
| County | Essex County |
| Listed | July 26, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000642 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1890-c.1930 |
| Architect / builder | Paine, Augustus G, Jr. (Architect); Smith, Lyman (Builder) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements/Rustic |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Main Lodge and most outbuildings are described as in good condition; the Garden Office and Garden Shed are in poor to fair condition. Current function is still camp (domestic). |
| Acreage | 31 |
| Coordinates | 44.37603, -73.37025 (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.
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 06000642.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5457792
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.