The Hickories
Why it's listed
Overlooking Cazenovia Lake from a low rise on Forman Street, this two-story wood-frame mansion was built in 1897-98 for the Reverend Townsend Glover Jackson and his wife Sophia. Local craftsmen built it: Henry H. Potter as carpenter and John D. Jones as mason. The architect is unknown. The house combines Georgian Revival features, including a symmetrical plan, central hall, Ionic and Doric columns and a porte-cochere, with Shingle Style wood shingles and eyebrow dormers. A small hipped-roof boathouse at the shore, dated 1900, keeps its original boat hoist and is unusual for being entered from either side. The property is listed for architecture and for its link to Cazenovia's growth as a summer resort, after rail service brought wealthy visitors from larger cities. Several lakeshore estates were built there between 1884 and 1928. The Jackson family kept the house until the 1950s, when it was divided into five units. The nominated parcel is about 2.4 acres.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an outstanding, representative example of the large summer mansions built by wealthy clients near Cazenovia Lake in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its eclectic design blends Georgian Revival and Shingle Style elements. It also reflects Cazenovia's change from an agricultural village to a summer resort 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 91000870, listed July 15, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 47 Forman St., Cazenovia |
|---|---|
| County | Madison County |
| Listed | July 15, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000870 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1897-1901 |
| Architect / builder | Henry H. Potter (carpenter, main house), John D. Jones (masonry, main house), Fred Mann (carpenter, boathouse); architect unknown |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival; Shingle Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Divided into five living units in the 1950s; the nomination lists current functions as single dwelling and outdoor recreation. Interior changed in the 1950s, but the principal rooms and exterior remain largely intact. |
| Acreage | 2.4 |
| Coordinates | 42.93452, -75.85996 (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 91000870.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7739530
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.