Abell Farmhouse and Barn
Why it's listed
Set on a 95-acre farm along Ballina Road southeast of Cazenovia, this farmhouse and dairy barn date from about 1870. The farm began as a 100-acre farmstead established in 1793 by Jabez Abell, an early settler from Rhode Island, and stayed in the Abell family until 1929. The two-story Italianate farmhouse has a hipped roof with a belvedere, bracketed cornice, and an ornate entrance portico with turned pendants and scroll-sawn consoles. Early-1970s renovation and later neglect led to modern siding, roof and cupola damage, and a gutted interior, though the spiral staircase and pocket doors survive. The cruciform barn, with board-and-batten siding, saw-tooth woodwork and an ornate cupola, is the more significant building. It is a rare surviving example of its type in the town and reflects the move to dairy farming after railroads arrived in the 1870s. A later tenant farmhouse is considered non-contributing because of alterations.
Significance in brief: The barn is a rare, large cruciform dairy barn in Picturesque Queen Anne and Eastlake styles, and the Italianate farmhouse is among the town's best examples of its type. Together with much of the original acreage, they reflect Cazenovia's shift from crop farming to dairying and its prosperity as an agricultural community.
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 87001860, listed November 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Ballina Rd., Cazenovia |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | November 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001860 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown |
| Architectural style | Italianate (farmhouse); Picturesque Queen Anne and Eastlake (barn) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Farmhouse was abandoned in the mid-1970s after an unfinished renovation and is deteriorated; it is described as a private residence with barns in present use. Condition: farmhouse fair, barn good. |
| Acreage | 95.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.90213, -75.82537 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 87001860.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4666707
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.