Knox Mansion
Why it's listed
Built in 1898 at 104 West Second Avenue in Johnstown, this 30-room Classical Revival mansion was designed by the Chicago firm Peabody & Beauley for gelatin manufacturer Charles P. Knox and his wife Rose. A monumental portico with paired fluted Corinthian columns dominates the north facade, and the wood-frame house rises above a raised granite basement under a glazed terra cotta tile roof. Inside are a mahogany staircase, pocket doors, built-in seating, and a library trimmed in ebony. A 1908 addition by Utica architect Linn Kinne added a living room and greenhouse. The house is listed for its architecture and for its association with the Knoxes. Charles Knox pioneered the commercial sale of granulated, unflavored gelatin. After his death in 1908, Rose Knox managed the company from the residence until her death in 1950. The property stayed in Knox family ownership until the 1980s, which helped preserve its integrity. It now operates as a bed and breakfast inn.
Significance in brief: The house is a highly intact, high-style example of Classical Revival residential architecture in Johnstown, designed by the Chicago firm Peabody & Beauley. It is also tied to Charles P. Knox, who pioneered pre-granulated gelatin, and to his widow Rose M. Knox, who ran the Knox Gelatin Company from the house until her death in 1950.
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 08000101, listed February 28, 2008. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 104 W. 2nd Ave., Johnstown |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | February 28, 2008 |
| Reference number | 08000101 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1898-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Peabody & Beauley; Linn Kinne (addition) |
| Architectural style | Late 19th Century Revivals/Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Current function is a bed and breakfast inn; the form describes the house as retaining an extraordinarily high level of integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.00052, -74.37404 (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 08000101.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6423567
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.