Peck, J. Franklin, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1853 on East Main Street in the village of Lima, this two and one-half story frame house was constructed for wool merchant J. Franklin Peck, who is credited as its builder. Its three-bay, center-hall front, cubic form and low hipped roof combine Greek Revival character with hints of the emerging Italianate style. Massive Doric corner pilasters, a molded entablature, attic windows with cast-iron grilles and a recessed entrance with sidelights give it a refined look. Inside, original moldings, butternut doors and period mantels survive. Peck stored wool in the rear wing and ran his business from the basement. Later occupants included farmers, a lawyer and a seed dealer, among them the Backus, Dibble, Atwell and Klitgord families. The house is recognized as one of Lima's finest Greek Revival buildings and reflects the village's prosperity from the 1840s to the 1860s, when substantial dwellings rose along its main streets.
Significance in brief: The house is considered a distinctive and sophisticated example of Greek Revival domestic architecture in Lima, with cubic massing and a low hipped roof that show the influence of the emerging Italianate style. It also represents the fashionable village dwelling of a wealthy, urban-oriented owner during the prosperous mid-nineteenth century. It was home to several prominent Lima families.
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 89001128, listed August 31, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 7347 E. Main St., Lima |
|---|---|
| County | Livingston County |
| Listed | August 31, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89001128 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | ca. 1853 |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; builder attributed to J. Franklin Peck |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Private residence in good condition, on its original site; no threats known. The exterior is visible from the road and the interior is not open to the public. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 42.90564, -77.60980 (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 89001128.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706594
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.