Aubertine Building
Also known as: Building #23
Why it's listed
Standing at Broadway and Murray Streets in the commercial center of Cape Vincent, this three-story wood frame building dates from the 1880s. It was built in the Italianate style, with clapboard siding, wood quoins, a large molded cornice and an elliptical pediment rising above the roofline. Second-floor windows are elongated and topped with pedimented crowns, while third-floor windows are segmental-arched with hood molds. Inside, the first floor keeps its pressed-metal ceiling and display shelves, and the second-floor theater retains a tongue-in-groove ceiling with medallions, a scalloped stage cornice and a cloth advertising banner. The building first held a hardware store, a theater upstairs and probably housing or storage on the third floor. The theater was the only one in town and served a growing population of workers, sailors and tourists. Its size and fine woodwork reflect the village's late nineteenth-century prosperity. Exterior changes are limited to asphalt siding on the sides and two replaced storefront windows. It now houses an appliance store.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it a remarkably intact, representative Italianate commercial building whose size and ornament reflect Cape Vincent's late nineteenth-century commercial prosperity. It is one of two surviving three-story Italianate multi-use commercial buildings in the nominated group and is distinguished by its wood construction and fine wood detailing. Its second-floor theater was unique in the town.
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 85002452, listed September 27, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Broadway, Cape Vincent |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | September 27, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002452 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently an appliance store on the first floor, with the second floor used for storage; condition rated good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.12917, -76.33162 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
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 85002452.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4819044
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.