Ford, Charles, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1900 by farmer Charles Ford, this clapboard farmhouse in the hamlet of LaFargeville stands on less than an acre that was once part of a 180-acre family farmstead. It joins a newer two-story main block to an older 1-1/2 story kitchen ell, said to have been built by John Ford in the 1820s. Both sit on a coursed limestone foundation. The main block has a side-gabled form, a pedimented front dormer with colored glass panes, and a full-width porch with turned columns, a sunburst pediment and scalloped trim. Inside, an ornate entry, staircase, oak pocket door and sawtoothed moldings show the use of factory-made architectural parts. A turn-of-the-century horse and carriage barn also contributes. The house is a modest, vernacular interpretation of the Queen Anne style and reflects the prosperity of local farmers around 1900. It is also tied to the Ford family, who have lived in the Town of Orleans for six generations.
Significance in brief: The house is significant as a well-preserved example of a modest, vernacular Queen Anne-inspired residence. Its front dormer, porch woodwork, window crowns and ornate entry and staircase reflect the prosperity of turn-of-the-century farmers in the Town of Orleans. It also shows how mass-produced architectural components came into use, and it has a long association with the Ford family.
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 96001472, listed December 20, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W side of Ford St., S of jct. with Co. Rd. 181, Hamlet of La Fargeville, Orleans |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | December 20, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001472 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c.1820-1900 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian/Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling; architectural integrity described as very good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 44.19350, -75.97100 (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 96001472.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5077728
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.