Nellis, Jacob, Farmhouse
Why it's listed
Set on a hillside with a view over Nelliston and Fort Plain, this limestone farmhouse on Nellis Street was built in the early 1830s. It is a five-bay, one-and-a-half-story rectangle of coursed ashlar with a lower three-bay extension on the north and a wooden kitchen added before 1900. Greek Revival details include a wide fascia with eyebrow windows, roof returns, a boxed cornice and a one-bay porch with four pillars. The nomination values it as a rare intact example of Greek Revival elements applied to the older story-and-a-half farmhouse plan, executed in locally quarried stone. Jacob W. Nellis, descended from Palatine Germans who came to the area in 1723, bought the farm in 1834. His son Abram helped establish the village named for the family. Descendants have worked the farm for over 140 years, and a small nineteenth-century barn and a larger twentieth-century barn remain on the property.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is a rare, intact example of Greek Revival style adapted to the vernacular story-and-a-half farmhouse and built in quarried limestone rather than wood. It is also tied to the Palatine German Nellis family, who arrived in 1723 and whose descendants have farmed the land for over 140 years. Land from the farm became much of the village, and Abram Nellis helped establish the village that bears the family name.
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 80002657, listed September 27, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Nellis St., Nelliston |
|---|---|
| County | Montgomery County |
| Listed | September 27, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80002657 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival (vernacular farmhouse form) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The front historic portion is intact and partially unused in winter; the rear addition has a modern kitchen, and the farm is still operating. |
| Acreage | 28.7 |
| Coordinates | 42.93380, -74.60974 (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 80002657.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6119041
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.