Union Hotel
Also known as: Barrow's Hotel
Why it's listed
Facing Market Square at Main and Ray Streets, this three-and-a-half-story limestone building was constructed in 1817-1818 as a hotel in Sackets Harbor. Owner Frederick White, reputed to be the wealthiest man in Jefferson County, built it to serve the growing village, which had become a naval and military center during the War of 1812. The walls are coursed rubble with ashlar quoins and belt courses, and the roof was later changed from its original crow-stepped gables to a gabled form. Inside, a central hall plan, spacious rooms and bold vernacular Federal woodwork, including a fanlight doorway and carved mantels, are notable. The building was known as the Union Hotel, Mansion House and Barrow's Hotel. By 1864 it no longer operated as a hotel, and the Masons bought it in 1865 and used it as a lodge for many years. It is the only large hotel left in the village, and the state planned to convert it into a battlefield visitor's center.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the hotel is one of the finest early nineteenth century public buildings in rural upstate New York, notable for its size, sturdy construction, fine interior spaces and vernacular Federal woodwork. It is also physical evidence of how the naval and military activity of the War of 1812 shaped the village. It is the only remaining large hotel building in Sackets Harbor.
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 72000849, listed June 19, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Main and Ray Sts., Sackets Harbor |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | June 19, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000849 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1817-1818 |
| Architectural style | Federal (vernacular Federal woodwork, central hall plan) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as vacant and in good condition; the State of New York planned to buy it for use as an interpretive and visitor's center for the Sackets Harbor Battlefield. |
| Within district | Sackets Harbor Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 43.94856, -76.12307 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 72000849.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7885772
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.