Wilson, Warren, House
Also known as: Bldg. #4
Why it's listed
This limestone farmhouse on Favret Road in rural Cape Vincent was built around 1837 by Warren Wilson, who bought 164.74 acres from James LeRay that year. The one and one-half story main block has three bays, a central entrance, irregularly coursed rubble walls with rustic quoins, and limestone lintels and sills. A wooden side wing, added in the mid-nineteenth century, has a recessed porch and has since been covered with perma-stone siding. The 185.7-acre property remains an active farm and includes a frame barn and three small sheds, all thought to date from the nineteenth century, plus one modern garage. Wilson sold the house in 1854, and after several owners William J. Mason acquired it in 1909; it has stayed in the Mason family. The house is valued as an intact example of regional vernacular stone farm architecture, ranked among the ten best surviving in the area, and for its complete agricultural setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an intact, representative example of vernacular masonry farmhouse architecture of the early to mid-nineteenth century in the region. It is described as one of the ten best surviving examples in the multiple resource area, using local limestone and simple rectangular massing with a center entry. The farm's barn and sheds also preserve the property's historic agricultural character.
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 85002482, listed September 27, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Favret Rd., Cape Vincent |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Listed | September 27, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002482 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; builder Warren Wilson |
| Architectural style | Vernacular masonry farmhouse |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Residential use, in active agricultural use, condition rated good; interior remodeled in 1970 and wing sided with perma-stone. |
| Acreage | 185.7 |
| Coordinates | 44.13369, -76.27181 (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 85002482.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7970597
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.