Maples, The
Why it's listed
Set on a slight rise back from busy Route 20 east of Cazenovia village, The Maples is a farmstead of about 25 acres with a Greek Revival farmhouse and two nineteenth-century barns. The house dates to about 1835 and was built for Eliphet Steele Jackson II, a wealthy merchant who ran a successful dairy farm and cheese factory. Its one-and-one-half-story frame form is dominated by a monumental north portico with fluted Doric columns, a molded entablature and a full pediment. Inside, a winding staircase and the original kitchen fireplace survive, and the original cheese-making machinery is still kept in the rear wing. The listing rests on the house's unusually sophisticated style for a rural setting, where most farmhouses of the period were simpler. The property also keeps an unusually large part of its original acreage, along with a mid-century barn and a late-century dairy barn that reflect the region's dairy farming. The name comes from the maple trees on the grounds.
Significance in brief: The farmhouse is argued to be an outstanding and fully developed example of Greek Revival architecture, unusual in a rural setting where most farmhouses were simpler vernacular buildings. It was built for a wealthy merchant who ran a dairy farm as a sideline. The survival of much of its original acreage and two intact barns also reflects Cazenovia's agricultural history.
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 87001876, listed November 2, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2420 Nelson Rd., Cazenovia |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | November 2, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001876 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown; built for Eliphet Steele Jackson II |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a private residence; condition rated good; no threats known. |
| Acreage | 24.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.92187, -75.83401 (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 87001876.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14707453
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.