Simmons, Stephen, House
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Built around 1818 on Camps Mills Road, east of Sackets Harbor, this farmhouse is made of locally quarried limestone laid in even courses, with smooth stone quoins, sills and lintels. A two and one-half story main block with a side-hall plan is joined to an original one-story rear wing. Large semicircular lunette windows fill the gable peaks, a detail otherwise seen in Hounsfield only at the Camp House in Sackets Harbor. The interior keeps its two back-to-back rooms and Federal mantelpieces. Stephen Simmons, who ran the first hotel in Sackets Harbor, built the house on farmland he bought in 1809, and sold it in 1823. The Membery family later farmed the property for about eighty years. The house is considered notable because its refined detailing and craftsmanship are rare among rural Hounsfield farmsteads. It is still a residence, though its outbuildings have disappeared and a modern garage has been added.
Significance in brief: The house is argued to be an outstanding example of a high-style Federal stone residence in rural Hounsfield. Its side-hall plan, oversized gable lunette windows and smoothly dressed limestone trim resemble village buildings in Sackets Harbor more than nearby farmhouses. It also shows a high degree of masonry craftsmanship in a rural setting.
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 89001615, listed October 18, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Camps Mills Rd., W of Old Slat Points Rd., Hounsfield |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | October 18, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001615 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Stated to be in good condition and still used as a residence; the original farm outbuildings are gone and a garage was added in 1983. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.93525, -76.07410 (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 89001615.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14707361
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.