Buckley, James, House
Also known as: Bldg. #11
Why it's listed
Built around 1845-1850 on Joseph Street at Point Street in Cape Vincent, this one and one-half story frame house is the village's best surviving example of the Gothic Cottage style. Its front has a central gable, vertical board and batten siding, a wide bracketed cornice, and cross-bracing with curved cutouts at the gable peak. The off-center entry carries a distinctive concave roof, and French doors on each wing sit under bracketed canopies with flattened pointed-arch trim. Parapets hide the shed roofs of the side wings. James Buckley and his wife Tryphina bought the land in 1845 from James LeRay. Buckley was probably a manufacturer of shingles, doors and blinds, and both were active in village religious and fraternal life. The house keeps its original form, siding, beamed ceiling and window and door surrounds; only a side entry added in 1947 changed it. Mature trees, shrubs and a Victorian-era bronze dog add to the setting. It remains a residence.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is the best and earliest example of Gothic Cottage architecture in Cape Vincent and reflects the shift toward picturesque styles after about 1840. It retains its original size, form, siding, decorative details and interior features. It also represents the village's modest residential growth before the railroad.
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 85002454, listed September 27, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Joseph St., Cape Vincent |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | September 27, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002454 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Gothic Cottage |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Remains in use as a residence; condition rated fair; eastern entry added in 1947. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.12696, -76.33582 (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 85002454.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6130448
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.