House at 115 South Main Street
Why it's listed
This modest frame cottage on South Main Street in Canastota, Madison County, began as a mid-nineteenth century dwelling and was remodelled in the 1880s with a layer of late Victorian detail. It has one and one-half stories, an asymmetrical plan, a multi-gabled roof and a two-and-one-half story corner tower under a pyramidal roof. Shingle siding, diamond-shaped shingles, half-timbering and Eastlake-style pierced woodwork on the entrance porch give it a picturesque character. A late-nineteenth century carriage house stands southwest of the house. The property matters as an example of the common practice of upgrading older, plainer buildings with fashionable features, probably by a skilled local craftsman. Though a scaled-down version of grander houses of the period, it reflects the aspirations of the village's middle class and recalls the neighborhood's standing as one of Canastota's more fashionable residential areas. Local tradition credits Clarence Colton, a descendant of an early village settler, with building it.
Significance in brief: The house is considered architecturally significant as a distinctive, eclectic example of late-nineteenth century residential design, combining Queen Anne and Eastlake features. It shows how an older, modest vernacular cottage was upgraded with fashionable decoration. It also reflects the taste of Canastota's middle class and the prominence of its once fashionable neighborhood.
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 86001289, listed May 23, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 115 S. Main St., Canastota |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | May 23, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86001289 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect unknown; builder Clarence Colton (per local tradition) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian eclectic, with Queen Anne and Eastlake elements |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a residence, both originally and at the time of the inventory; condition rated fair; interior condition unknown. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.07862, -75.75509 (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 86001289.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5913889
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.