Rottiers, John N., Farm
Why it's listed
This 229-acre farmstead in the Town of Orleans, Jefferson County, is centered on a two-story limestone house built in 1833, with one-story stone wings. Its blue limestone blocks are unusually regular and evenly coursed, and the work is attributed to the stonemason Hial Cook, who built other structures for John LaFarge. Delicate Federal woodwork, original twelve-over-twelve windows and a largely intact interior plan survive. Behind the house are a dairy barn and a servants' house, both from about 1880, a privy and the remains of a carriage barn. The farm is also linked to John N. Rottiers, a Belgian-born former agent of the Antwerp Company whom LaFarge chose as his land agent in 1838. Rottiers collected rents, sold parcels, held town offices and ran a dairy and bee operation that became a model farm. The property is recognized for its architecture, its connection to early settlement and its continuing agricultural setting.
Significance in brief: The farm is a largely intact 19th-century farmstead and its main house is a distinctive example of late Federal stone architecture, with stonework attributed to mason Hial Cook. It is also tied to the town's early settlement through John N. Rottiers, land agent for John LaFarge, and to the area's farming and dairy history.
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 96001022, listed September 30, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | E side of NY 180, approximately 2 mi. S of the Hamlet of Lafargeville, Orleans |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | September 30, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96001022 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1833-c.1946 |
| Architect / builder | Hial Cook (attributed) |
| Architectural style | Early Republic/Federal |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a single dwelling with agricultural fields and outbuildings. The land is leased to neighboring farmers for pasture and cultivation, and some outbuildings are somewhat deteriorated. |
| Acreage | 229 |
| Coordinates | 44.16493, -75.97432 (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 96001022.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6250106
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.